I commented on my overall experience here: Where did you ride OUTSIDE today (2021) - #716 by Aeroiseverything
Now, finally they updated the GC and I am quite pleased with it:
Total time was 5:56:10, finishing 24th of 155 in the GC (164 started the event).
Third of the under 30s is probably the best thing to take away.
Regardless of the result, it was a great event in amazing scenery. Absolutely professional and great atmosphere.
I am really looking forward to the Dolomites event later this year, although it scares me quite a bit also😅
For people interested in giving Haute Route a go:
I can really recommend a 3 day event to start off. 3 day events are in one base village, while the longer events are end to end. So logistics etc of a 3 day event are very easy.
Also, the Crans Montana event in particular is great. Firstly, Crans Montana is a beautiful little village, looking over the beautiful Rhône Valley. You can see the Mont Blanc, the Dufourspitze, and the Matterhorn. I have never seen mountains of this magnitude in real life, and it is jaw dropping.
The stage choice was great, and I think it very achievable, but still absolutely challenging. The climbs are probably not your typical bucket list climbs like Alpe d‘Huez or Passo Stelvio, but they can absolutely match those in terms of length, steepness, and beauty.
Col du Sanetsch and Barrage de la Grande Dixence are both 1 mile + climbs, so they are bigger than Mont Ventoux or Col du Galibier. Also, you are going from the the beautiful Swiss villages to the forests into the bare high Alps. Amazing!
The Ovronnaz climb is a steep beast than can match the famous steep climbs of the Dolomites or Pyrenees. 10% average for 9k, with 2 very evil Ks right in the middle, that average over 12%.
The Col du Crans Montana was the climb for the final time trial, and with over 8% average gradient for 15+ km, it is bigger than Alpe d‘Huez or Passo Umbrail.
Besides the fantastic climbs, one thing about the course that I really loved was that all the descents were neutralized and you could only focus your power on going uphill.
I just don‘t want to race DOWN a 9% climb. Some people love it, I don‘t. Also, it gives you time to recuperate, but also to enjoy and to take pictures of the stunning nature that you just suffered through on the way up.
I would definitely recommend this event!