Welsh cyclist Ed Laverack taking on the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez

Welsh cyclist and 2019 British National Hill Climb Championship winner Ed Laverack is taking on the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez for the first time from the 24^th – 26^th June.

“I love challenging climbs – anything that has some massive ascents and fun downhills then I’m up for it. Hopefully I’ve not bitten off more than I can chew – the Alpe d’Huez is pretty prestigious and I’m hugely excited about the final stage that goes through the Alpe d’Huez,” said Ed Laverack.

With a total elevation gain of 28,279 ft across three days covering 146 miles, the Alpe d’Huez is no race for the faint-hearted. The course, which covers two classic stages, plus a time trial up the famous 21 switchbacks, is steeped in cycling history and legendary climbs that make this region a Mecca for road cyclists.

Around the end of March Ed will begin to tailor his training to focus more on building endurance and lactate tolerance.

“Unlike on-road racing where you need the ability to focus on different efforts, the Haute Route is all about endurance and being able to ride at or close to your threshold at a sustained amount of time going up some big climbs. Thankfully round here I have the ability to ride for hours on quiet roads. It will be 20 mins, 25 minutes of climbing, and increasing my volume as I go. Hill repeats will be my friend!”

From 2012 until 2019 Ed, who is from Llanelli, County Dyfed, was a cyclist under several professional teams including British UCI continental cycling team Rapha Condor and the UCI Continental team SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling.

Predominantly a hill climber, his most notable achievement is winning the 2019 British National Hill Climb Championship in Haytor Vale, Devon, setting a new course record in the process.

“When the pandemic hit there were a lot of issues in the British cycling racing scene where teams struggled for sponsorship and support. I really enjoyed multi-staged races and decided to go down the independent route, much like triathletes and snowboarders; sports where brands have the authority to support individuals. This gave me the freedom to plan which races I want to do. Haute Route falls at specific time of the year where if you were part of a team wouldn’t get a chance to do these once in a lifetime events” said Ed Laverack.

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