Cycling events 2027: How to choose a goal you'll want to train for

Figures marked * are from published courses; confirmation for the 2027 edition is still pending.

L'Étape du Tour is another option for experienced climbers. The 2027 edition takes place on 11 July, covering 154 km from Cluses to Les Saisies, with 4,850 m of climbing. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for a long day in the Alps.

What cycling events can you ride on ROUVY?

You can ride some event courses on ROUVY, while others have individual climbs or segments available to help you prepare.

Above: Practise gravel handling and check your kit on outdoor rides.

We Ride Flanders: ROUVY's Belgian routes let you explore Flemish riding indoors. You'll still need outdoor practice for handling cobbles and riding confidently in groups.

Mallorca 312: Try Mallorca routes such as Puig Major and Coll de sa Batalla to practise sustained climbing. Check that the segment and direction match your chosen event route before treating it as a course preview.

IRONMAN 70.3 Alcúdia-Mallorca: The bike course is available on ROUVY, making it useful for pacing practice. Include swimming and running in your preparation, as your cycling effort needs to leave enough energy for the run.

Nove Colli: Use hilly ROUVY routes to practise repeated climbs, then study the organiser's final profile for the specific climbs.

UNBOUND Gravel: ROUVY has filmed UNBOUND sections including Tallgrass Prairie and Eskridge, plus a dedicated UNBOUND 50 training plan. These support fitness and route familiarisation; outdoor gravel riding remains necessary for handling and equipment practice.

Marmotte: Ride Alpe d'Huez or the Télégraphe–Galibier route on ROUVY to get familiar with sustained climbs. Practise outdoor descending separately.

Maratona: ROUVY's Dolomite routes include Corvara to Passo Pordoi and other sections of the Sella Ronda. Check the ascent direction when choosing your preview. For tips read the guide on how to prepare for Maratona dles Dolomites.

Ötztaler: ROUVY has previously offered event sections including Timmelsjoch. Check the current listings in the Riders Portal before planning around a particular course segment.

Give your winter riding a purpose

Once you've picked a date, it's easier to work out what you need to train for. A long sportive calls for endurance and fuelling practice – our guide to carbs per hour sets out what to eat when you're riding a sportive – while a mountain gran fondo adds sustained climbing, suitable gearing and confidence on descents.

It also helps to put your rides in the calendar before other plans take up the week. You don't need to plan every session now, but you can agree when longer rides will fit and identify any busy periods.

Choose something you want to prepare for as well as finish. Getting your entry confirmed feels good, though you'll still have to get yourself on the bike in February.

Check what you're signing up for

Above: Look at the climbing as well as the distance when choosing your event.

Once a few events have caught your eye, check which would fit your riding and the time you have.

Before you choose a sportive, answer these six questions:

• How long will you be riding? Estimate from your own pace on similar terrain, allowing for stops. A 100 km mountain ride can take much longer than a flatter route of the same distance.
• What does the climbing involve? Check total elevation, the longest ascent and steep sections. Repeated short hills demand different preparation from an hour-long climb.
• When can you train? An April event means doing much of your preparation through winter. A later date gives you more spring and summer riding.
• Can you manage the travel? Include bike transport, transfers, registration collection and getting to an early start.
• What is the full cost? Add accommodation, meals, insurance and any equipment you need to the entry fee.
• Who are you riding with? Agree on route length and pacing beforehand. Being friends doesn't automatically mean you have the same climbing speed.

Read the event rules too, including cut-offs, support arrangements and any medical certificate or licence requirements. Check whether roads are closed to traffic, as this affects how you'll need to ride.

A route profile deserves a proper look. That final climb may seem quite manageable on a laptop while your legs are fresh.

How to choose and plan your first cycling event in 2027

• Choosing your first sportive? Start with a supported local event, a familiar distance and modest climbing. Busy starts, feed stations and pacing will give you enough to think about without complicated travel.
• Don't want to spend all day on the bike? Choose a shorter route and give yourself time to enjoy it.
• Planning your first 100-mile ride? Our 100-mile training guide will help you work out how to prepare.
• Entering several events? Decide which matters most. Make that your A event, use a B event to practise pacing, kit and fuelling and treat a C event as a relaxed day out.
• Tempted to enter everything? Leave enough recovery between events and avoid turning every weekend into a hard effort.

Try the climbing before you commit

Above: Try a similar climb on ROUVY to check your pacing and gearing.

Trying a similar climb indoors gives you a feel for the effort and helps you check whether you have an easy enough gear. Explore ROUVY's cycling destinations and try a route that reflects the event you're considering.

Check entry dates, then work backwards

You might find an event that suits you, then discover getting a place is another matter. Check the process before making travel commitments:

• Maratona: Pre-registration runs from 14 October to 10 November 2026, with a draw in the second half of November.
• UNBOUND: The general lottery runs from 1–15 November 2026.
• Nove Colli: Registration opens on 5 December 2026 at noon.
• Mallorca 312: Check the official waiting list and authorised packages. Its resale marketplace runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027, with entries dependent on cancellations.
• L'Étape du Tour: General public registration opens on 2 November 2026 at 14:00 CET.

Once your place is confirmed, arrange travel and accommodation, then count backwards from event day. Give yourself time to build up your riding, practise the kind of efforts you'll face and arrive with fresh legs. ROUVY's guide to cycling training plans can help you choose a suitable approach.

Keep a shorter route or alternative event in mind if training gets interrupted. Pick something you're looking forward to and can realistically train for.