World Cup Preview 2022 Part 5: Montée du Nid d'Aigle

On the 3rd weekend of July, the World Cup finds itself on the lower slopes of Mont Blanc for La Montée du Nid d'Aigle, a race which made its World Cup debut in 2021.

A true classic and one of France's oldest mountain races, La Montée du Nid d'Aigle remains as true to that sporting culture now as it was was in 1986. In the words of 2019 winner Baptiste Chassagne, competing at this race "is a way to honour the tradition of its founders, true pioneers on a diet of genepi, salami and Beaufort."

At 19km and 2,000m+, this is one of the longest uphills on the calendar. Coming just 6 days after Großglockner Berglauf, it's a double-header of Classic alpine races in the busiest part of the season. Running both races is tough, but for an on-form athlete it's a great opportunity to rack up World Cup points, as Lucy Murigi did last year.

Committed to protecting the local environment, in 2022 La Montée du Nid d'Aigle is further stepping up its engagement with local suppliers and environmental agencies; the post-race meal is locally sourced and policies are in place to minimise waste and reduce the race's impact on the fragile habitats along the trail. In 2022 they are also working with TV8 Mont Blanc, a regional television channel to improve the live coverage of the race.

Winding it's way up the side of western Europe's highest mount, Mont Blanc, the course is stunning. From the start in Le Fayet, it follows the valley, climbing gently through the first half as it passes through Saint-Gervais-les-Bains before crossing and re-crossing the river. A left turn then takes runners away from the valley bottom and into the race's steeper second half, relentlessly rising as it zig-zags its way up beyond the tree line. The most demanding terrain comes just when the legs are at their most tired with the trail climbing steeply alongside the spectacular Glacier de Bionnassay, to the finish at 2,394m at the Refuge du Nid d'Aigle.

There's double relief at the finish line as each athlete is handed a ticket for the Tramway du Mont Blanc for their return trip to Saint-Gervais.

In 2021 we saw some of the most exciting racing of the season here. Xavier Chevrier led an Italian sweep of the men's podium, coming in ahead of his compatriots Francesco Puppi and Henri Aymonod to set a new course record in 1:44:25.

On the women's side, Lucy Murigi came in 20 seconds ahead of Christel Dewalle, taking the win but falling agonisingly short of Isabelle Guillot's 2006 course record. Guillot's record stands at 2:06:06. Murigi's time. . .2:06:07. Will this be the year that that record is finally broken?

A trip to Saint Gervais is the perfect opportunity to leave the car at home. A free shuttle service connects the SNCF station Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains-Le Fayet to the town centre.