Vatternrundan Sportive

The Etape du Tour and Marmotte in France and Maratona Dles Dolomites in Italy visit the high mountains and ensure breathtaking scenery. The fitness needed to complete these events is not to be underestimated. There is now a new challenge on the block - for La Fuga that is! The Vatternrundan sportive, is gaining in popularity amogst international participants for a great atmosphere and the shere beauty of the area in which the event takes place. The challenge is somewhat different to slogging up the Col du Tourmalet or the Col du Galbier, as this is 300km of riding around a stunning lake found between Stockholm and Gotenburg in Sweden.

23,000 riders line up for the challenge of 300km circumnavigating lake Vattern in a clockwise direction. The early staters are treated to both sunset and sunrise as they ride through the night - it never really gets that dark - to finish where they started 300km later in Motala - one of the towns around the lake.

The atmosphere is a big attraction for many riders to this event, with 46 different nations represented last year it certainly is international in flavour. The event is not new, having had 47 editions already, this must be one of the longest running sportives in Europe, with the Nove Colli reaching its 43rd birthday this year.

From the start in the old harbour at Motala where the vibe is building to the feed and rest stops all the way around the course, everyone is in a jovial mood as they help each other to set the pace around the lake to complete a challenge of endurance.

The feedstations are an experience in themselves with so much on offer to ensure you stay fuelled through the 300km. The Vatternrundan article in Cycling Weekly describes the extensive feasts which can take place at every stop along the way.

Riding through the night and with other friendly cyclists, sharing in an amazing sunrise whilst riding your bike in a beautiful part of the world are what draws riders to the event. With a great hotel in the beautiful town of Linkoping and the excellent La Fuga Service you can experience something completely different this summer and take away a taste of Sweden.

Call us if you would like to talk through the challenge, this event is really exciting us as something new on our calendar.

What’s Included?

Four Star Accommodation
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel/restaurant
Airport and event transfers
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary energy nutrition
La Fuga Welcome Pack
Race Registration

What’s Not?

Flights
Lunchtime meals
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic drinks/soft drinks
Incidental Expenses

Bike Rental Price:

• £120

The Knowledge

• Accommodation: 3 nights in 4* accommodation
• Airport: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
• Event: Vätternrundan Sportive
• Event website: www.vatternrundan.se
• Price: £1400 - Single occupancy double room
• Price: £1300 - Double/twin occupancy
• Price: £1150 - Non rider - double/twin occupancy
• Deposit: £400 per person

Vatternrundan Sportive

Thursday 13th June

You will be collected from Stockholms main airport - Stockholm-Arlanda Airport - and driven by you guide to our hotel in Linkoping. Our mechanic will unpack and set up your bike and if time allows a short ride maybe possible. We will eat dinner in a restaurant in the town square before chatting about the events of the following day.

Friday 14th June

The aim will be to get a short early ride in so that you can check your equipment and turn your legs for what will be a long day.

We will grab lunch at a local cafe before our recommended rest and sleep if possible in order to prepare yourself for the event start that evening.

An evening meal will be eated early in order to allow you to digest ahead of the event start. We'll then travel to the start for our alloted start time and hopefully you'll be fulled rested and raring to eat up the 300km that awaits.

Our guides will be out on the course as often as they can in order to make sure that all your mechanical and food assistance is catered for. These will be in addition to the organisers own well prepared rest stops.

Saturday 15th June

Your day will be a continuation of the previous evening with 300km to ride all in. You'll get the delight of seeing the sunrise of the lake and feel the sun warming your back as you finish off the remaining kilometres.

Your guide will meet you at the finish where we will have our familiar La Fuga hospitality tent waiting for you and the other guests to arrive and toast an excellent ride and share stories of the evenings ride.

From Motala we'll journey back to our hotel in Linkoping where you'll surely need some rest before resurfacing for a hearty evening meal and celebrations.

Sunday 16th June

One last ride could be possible to gently turn weary legs and spend an enjoyable last morning in Sweden before our mechanic will pack your bike away for your flight home. We'll transfer you back to Stockholm for your return flight.

Vatternrundan Sportive