Red Bull Cycling Survivor

You thought you knew the pain of mountain passes, the stress of the final sprint, effort management to the millimeter? Think again. Red Bull Cycling Survivor is much more than a race: it's a natural selection trial on two wheels. A unique format in France, shattering the habits of the peloton. Want to prove you're a true survivor? Head to the Charade circuit, in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.

What you'll find on site:

• A race format as demanding as it is original: 3 elimination laps, followed by an explosive final time trial;
• A carefully curated selection (minimum level Access 1 FFC or equivalent), limited to 300 tarmac warriors;
• An official jersey, a frame plate, post-race refreshments – and above all, maximum adrenaline.

Course focus:

The menu? 111 km, 1956 meters of elevation gain, 4 sectors to break your legs – and your ego. Each lap sorts the field. Literally. Finish in the last group? You're out. Survive? You go again. And no break between laps: straight into the next one, Tour de France atmosphere on a heatwave day.

The finale? A time trial on the Charade circuit, 3.3 km of pure demand. One rule only: give everything. The winner will be the one who still has watts to burn after chewing tarmac for nearly 3 hours.

3 (very) good reasons to take part:

• Test yourself against a format unique in France, designed for all-round cyclists (climber, sprinter, rouleur? You'll need to be all of that at once);
• Ride in an iconic setting, between selective roads and a closed circuit;
• Cross the finish line after surviving the elimination, and tell yourself: "I did it." (with legs like jelly, admittedly, but honour intact).

You've got the picture – no comfort drafting or leisurely warm-up laps here. Red Bull Cycling Survivor is the very essence of competition: intense, strategic, no safety net.

So, do you have what it takes to survive?