The 2022 edition of the sold-out 7-day Haute Route Alps gran fondo started from the French seaside resort of Nice on Sunday 21 August en route to Megeve via 792 kilometers of stunning Alpine roads.

Stage 1 from Nice to Cuneo, Italy covered a massive 181 kilometers with over 4100 meters of climbing. Two legendary climbs, Col du Saint-Martin and the 20km Col de la Lombarde, made the day quite challenging, leaving little opportunity for riders to “ease” into the event.

GFNY World Champion Italian Luca Vergallito pulled on the leader’s jersey for the men at the end of the day. He completed the route in 3:50:31, almost three minutes up on second place rider Loic Ruffaut (3:53:47), who won the 2022 Nove Colli, and seven minutes up on former Brazilian National Champion Antonio Garnero (3:57:21).

In the women’s race, Janine Meyer from Germany opened the week with a huge victory and commanding lead. She finished in 4:27:47, over fourteen minutes ahead of the Dane Luise Valentin (4:42:24) and Lucy Deschamps (4:44:19) from the United Kingdom.

For Stage 2 on Monday 22 August the 118 kilometer route take riders from Cuneo to Col d’Izoard via one of the highest paved climbs in Europe, the Col d’Agnel featured in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

Complete Haute Route Alps results HERE.

Photos: Haute Route