Course du Ballon d'Alsace

The Critérium du Ballon d'Alsace: a legendary race

The Critérium du Ballon d'Alsace is one of France's most historic cycling events. Organized every year on August 15th by the Club Cycliste Belfort Miotte, this hill climb connects Belfort to the summit of Ballon d'Alsace, a legendary Vosges pass culminating at an altitude of 1,247 meters.

A Tour de France heritage

Ballon d'Alsace is intimately linked to the history of French cycling. In 1905, it was the first mountain pass ever crossed by the Tour de France, etched into the legend of world cycling. René Pottier was the first to cross its summit in the lead during the Tour, thus establishing the tradition of a heroic climb on this Vosges pass. This historical dimension gives the Critérium du Ballon d'Alsace a very special aura in the regional cycling calendar.

With over a hundred editions, the Critérium du Ballon d'Alsace is one of the few French cycling events to have achieved such an impressive record. The 101st edition was held in 2025, demonstrating the longevity and vitality of this emblematic event.

The course: from Belfort to the summit of the Vosges

The race covers a 32 km course from the start in Belfort to the summit of Ballon d'Alsace. The route passes through several towns in the Territoire de Belfort:

• Start: Belfort
• Offemont
• Éloie
• Grosmagny
• Rougegoutte
• Giromagny
• Lepuix
• Finish: summit of Ballon d'Alsace

The final climb from Lepuix is particularly feared by cyclists: over the last few kilometers, the gradient increases considerably to reach high percentages that select the best climbers. The ascent offers exceptional panoramas of the Vosges, the Territoire de Belfort, and on clear days, as far as the Alps.

Competition categories

The race is open to several categories of competitors:

• Open Category (1/2/3, Juniors, Pass Open)
• Pass Cyclisme Category (licensed amateur cyclists)
• Sprint primes offered by partners along the course

Club Cycliste Belfort Miotte: guardian of tradition

The Club Cycliste Belfort Miotte (CCBM90) has organized and perpetuated this historic event for decades. This Belfort-based club, one of the oldest and most active in the department, ensures that the Critérium du Ballon d'Alsace retains its prestige and competitive dimension while remaining accessible to cyclists of all levels. The Confrérie des As du Ballon d'Alsace, an entity linked to local cycling culture, also perpetuates the spirit of this legendary race.

A sporting and festive event

August 15th, the day of the race, is a true popular festival in the towns it passes through. Residents line the roadsides to cheer on the riders, creating a warm atmosphere reminiscent of major professional races. The finish at the summit of Ballon d'Alsace is celebrated in an exceptional natural setting, with panoramic views of the Vosges and the plains of Alsace.