From Alsace to the Alpes Maritimes, La Grande Traversée is a sporting and united challenge

After months of confinement, it's “time to play again”! This is what is at stake in the Grande Traversée Salomon. On the program for this trail running? Sport, solidarity and conviviality ...

Dsince Sunday July 5 and until Saturday July 11, eight athletes from Team Solomon organize a relay as part of a magnificent sporting challenge from Alsace to the Alpes Maritimes. They will pass through the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps. An adventure of 5 stages and more than 40 meters of elevation gain awaits the runners. They will take turns on foot and by bike throughout the 000 kilometers of the route. The organizer of the Grande Traversée, Jean-Michel Faure-Vincent is proud of this extraordinary relay, which unites athletes around a common goal.

“The 8 runners if they don't run, will assure those in the race. 1 kilometers that announce beauty with the sharing of discoveries and good times in the mountains. "

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A publication shared by Julien Michelon (@ julien.michelon) le Jul 5, 2020 at 12:43 pm PDT

"An XXL idea, which will hurt the legs and good the head"

Each of the athletes will therefore have covered approximately 300 kilometers without a performance objective. The goal is to have fun with other athletes, "to travel incredible trails across France", but also to "discover our beautiful territory through photos and videos".

A shock cast for the great crossing

Eight of Team Salomon's best athletes are present on the Grande Traversée. Francois D'Haene, triple winner of the UTMB, quadruple winner of the Grand Raid de la Réunion, Thibaut baronian, double winner of the Trail des Forts and the Ventoux, Sebastien spehler, double winner of the Templars, Michel lanne, winner of TDS and CCC, Camille Bruyas, winner of the Trail du Ventoux, Theo Detienne, winner of the Patou Trail, Julien michelon, winner of the Cross du Mont-Blanc and the Trail des Ecrins, as well as Nathan Jovet, winner of the Tour de la Grande Casse, are united around this event.

Breathtaking stages

For the first stage from Chatenois to Besançon, Sébastien Spehler and Théo d'Étienne left behind. Then from Besançon to Annecy, it's Thibaut Baronian. From Annecy to Arêches, Camille Bruyas then led the way. From Arêches to Briançon, Nathan Jovet and Julien Michelon took the lead. Finally, the last stage from Briançon to Nice will be driven by Francois D'haene and Michel Lanne. Arrival at the seaside tomorrow, Saturday July 11 at 13:00 p.m. Join them!

The great crossing, A challenge open to all

Along the route, anonymous athletes were also able to join the race for a few kilometres. The 5-stage route has been divided into 50 sections, the crossing points of which are available in live tracking on OpenRunner. The fans were therefore able to freely share unique moments with the athletes. A wonderful opportunity for all trail and cycling enthusiasts.

A solidarity race

During La Grande Traversée, Team France athletes were equipped with the new range of black and gold trail running “Golden Trail Series”. The sale of products from this range will be used to support the humanitarian organization ICRC, which provides material and financial assistance to healthcare workers during the pandemic period.