Challenge Alain Leplus

Since 2018, l’Ariégeoise has been organising a timed climb to highlight an emblematic Ariège pass, which will be on the programme for the year’s l’Ariégeoise route.

We are departing from this rule because we have lost our vice-president, Mr Alain LEPLUS, in July 2019. Since the creation of L’Ariégeoise Alain had been a pillar of the organisation’s bureau, but he was also one of the founders and vice-president of the famous Ariège trail race: the Marathon du Montcalm.

Through his work in tourism, Alain LEPLUS was a builder with innovative ideas. With his passion for the mountains and his region, it was only natural to pay homage to him by organising a joint challenge between 2 organisations for which he gave so much time, energy and knowledge, starting in Auzat.

The Challenge Alain LEPLUS consists of :

• The timed ascent to the Soulcem EDF dam (16 km & 1000 m D+)
• The Soucarrane trail (13 km & 800 m D+).

The Challenge Alain LEPLUS can be run individually or as a team.

We also offer the option of taking part only in the timed climb or the Soucarrane Trail.

The timed ascent to the EDF dam at Soulcem :

After Beille in 2018 and Agnès in 2019, the ascent to the EDF dam at Soulcem has been renewed as a timed climb since 2022 and the creation of the Challenge Alain LEPLUS.

Less well known to cyclo-sport fans, the 16km climb has an average gradient of over 6%, with sections at almost 14%, and is worthy of being one of the most mountainous passes in the Ariège.

But what is behind this average gradient? In fact, we start from the Plaine des Sports in Auzat on a perfectly tarmac road with a good “yield” … A warm-up over the first 3 kilometres on gentle gradients varying from 2 to 5% … Watch out! A wall with an average gradient of over 10% now lies in front of us, lasting less than 700m, but which will make your thighs ache…

From km 4 to the “S” of the village of Marc (Km 6.5), a succession of uphill sections interspersed with very short downhills awaits us… We’ll now be riding on a narrow mountain road. Let’s get going! Another short 10% gradient, and we reach Mounicou and cross the stream of the same name: we’re in the thick of things! And one more little wall, at almost 10%, to reach the Carafa barns… Calm down and catch your breath until you reach the Pla de l’Isard, at Km 9.5…

Some will say “all the way to the left”, because we won’t be going below 11% (with a peak of 14% all the same!) until we reach the base of the Soulcem dam at Km 12.3… A final kilometre at 9%, then the big plateau over the remaining 1.5 km on the banks of the Soulcem lake in a high mountain setting.

The Soucarrane trail :

A 13km trail with 800m D+ in the mountains around the Etangs de Roumazet and Soucarranne.

Discover the Trail de la Soucarrane, a breathtaking mountain course at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, accessible to all levels.

After a rolling start, take a wide track to stretch the pack as far as Pla de Labinas. You’ll then tackle the vertical ascent to the Étang de Roumazet, skirting the stream of the same name on the magnificent trails that Soulcem is famous for.

Once you’ve reached the pond, you’ll have 200 m of D+ left to reach the high point of the race at an altitude of over 2,300 m and then descend towards the Étang de la Soucarrane.

Enjoy the view of the magnificent Pic de la Soucarrane 2,902 m before carefully tackling the descent to the Pla de Labinas. Once you’ve finished, cross the Ruisseau du Vicdessos to reach the refreshment area at the Cabane de la Crouts.

There will then be a 1.5km section of track before crossing the Vicdessos again and finishing the race on a magnificent path on the left bank of the stream to reach the finish at Les Orris du Carla.

Take up the challenge of the Trail de la Soucarrane and experience an unforgettable adventure amid the majestic scenery of the Pyrenees.

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Registration opens:

• 15 March 2024

Registration closes:

• Friday 31 May

Timed ascent of the Soulcem EDF dam:

• Race numbers will be issued from 8am in the climbing hall at the Plaine des Sports in Auzat.
• The group start will be at 9am at the Auzat sports ground.

Trail de la Soucarrane:

• Race numbers will be handed out from 8-8.30am at the climbing gym on the Auzat sports field and from 9.30am at the Orris du Carla / Soulcem.
• There will be a group start at 11am from the Orris du Carla / Soulcem.

Logistics:

• You can leave a bag in Auzat and we will take it up to the Orris du Carla / Soulcem.
• There will be a guarded bike park (please keep valuables such as GPS with you) as well as tents for changing.
• Your belongings will also be kept at the Orris du Carla / Soulcem during the trail (please keep valuables with you).