Get ready for an adrenaline-charged 77th edition of the Tour de Romandie, kicking off on April 23rd with professional cyclists battling it out over nearly 665 kilometers as well as icy winds.

The race commences with a thrilling "prologue" in Payerne, featuring a challenging 2.28-kilometer time trial. The action ramps up with the first stage on April 24th, beginning right here in Château-d'Oex and concluding in Fribourg.

This marks a historic moment for the Pays-d'Enhaut region, hosting a stage of this prestigious French-speaking Swiss cycling event for the very first time, as announced by the organising committee.

Twice Through the Village
The heart of Château-d'Oex sets the stage for the start, with cyclists passing through twice: first at the commencement at 1:25 pm, then after a 4-kilometer loop via Les Moulins, they'll cross the line again at 1:36 pm, setting off towards the finish line in Fribourg. By the time the tour concludes on April 28th, participants will have conquered a total of 664.49 kilometers and ascended a staggering 10,831 meters.

A Global Showcase
Ranked among the elite events in the World Tour program by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the Tour de Romandie serves as a significant platform for showcasing Swiss cycling prowess to the world. After the three grand tours (Italy, France, Spain), this race remains a major highlight, drawing in viewers from 139 countries—approximately 21 million fans—tuning in to catch the live action.

In the words of General Director Richard Chassot, the Tour de Romandie, established in 1947, stands as "the ultimate stage for Romandie and all of Switzerland on the global scene." Later in the year, mark your calendars for the women's Tour de Romandie, which will be held from 6-8 September.

Based on AvS | SWO