First it was L’Etape du Tour that announced a date change due to the just declared French snap elections. Now at the last minute (and one week after L’Etape) La Marmotte Granfondo, with over 7000 worldwide participants, has decided it cannot take place on Sunday 30 June and will move one day earlier – Saturday 29 June.

Organizer Cycling Classics France announced the poorly timed change via email and on social media:

The last few days have been very particular for us. Last week, we were confronted with the surprise elections that were announced in France. The first round of the parliamentary elections will take place on Sunday 30 June.

To ensure the safety of all our cyclists, sections of the route are closed to traffic every year. The elections are disrupting these arrangements, which would prevent many French people from exercising their right to vote.

We’ve now received the agreement of all the Prefectures to hold the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes on Saturday 29 June. We are well aware of the constraints this may entail for you, the participants, especially given the long preparation you have put in over the last few months.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause some of you and are grateful for your understanding of this situation, which none of us could have foreseen a few days ago.

Long considered a must-attend “bucklist” ride, the legendary cyclosportive starting in the village of Bourg d’Oisans in the French Alps covers 177 kilometers, including 5 of the Tour de France’s most legendary cols: the Glandon, the Télégraphe, the Galibier, the Lautaret, and finally the 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez. 

As with L’Etape du Tour, participants were caught off guard and surprised by the announcement, with many now forced to hastily change travel plans or cancel entirely.

Unfortunately, La Marmotte has a strict no-refund policy, with registration fees always remaining with the organizer regardless of “whatever happens.” In addition, rules state entries may not be sold or transferred to another rider.

As the French say, C’EST LA VIE!

Photo Credit: Cycling Classics France

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