There was great satisfaction at VDA Trailers of Courmayeur as the pre-registrations for the 2016 edition of the Tor des Géants® closed on Sunday; a satisfaction that was immediately shared with all the sponsors and volunteers.
Exceeding all expectations, the record number of aspirants to the great race in the Aosta Valley is undoubtedly a sign of confidence in the organizational expertise of the Courmayeur company. In addition, the pre-registrations include a record-breaking number countries represented: 75 compared to last year’s 60. Italy, France, Spain, Japan, China and Switzerland are the most represented countries, while other nations include Nepal, Peru, Madagascar, United Arab Emirates, Iran and many small Oceania countries.
Even the number of pre-enrolled students went far beyond all expectations, with a total of 2,544 registrants; as a result, it will take more time than expected to verify eventual duplicate registrations that may have been made either knowingly or by mistake. Based on the statistics of past years, there may be about forty duplicates; however, the final number of approximately 2,500 will still be significantly higher than the 2,291 competitors included in last year’s final drawing.
Satisfaction is two-fold, even three-fold, thanks to the new races scheduled for next year.
In fact, VDA Trailers will launch the project, kept on stand-by until now, that will increase the number of international events in Valle d'Aosta.
There are two new initiatives proposed for 2017.
An expansion of the Tor des Géants®. Two separate programs are currently under consideration; either a TOR relay with 3 competitors along all 330 kilometers, or an individual Half TOR. The decision regarding which "version" to present to future runners will be made following consultations with all those involved in the organization of the event.
During the past fall we carried out a very detailed exploration of the entire route in preparation for the second initiative proposed for the spring of 2017. This will be a "fast" run on a mixed terrain (asphalt, dirt road and trail) route linking the towns of the valley floor along the Dora Baltea River, dotted with the magnificent castles that are a precious historical and architectural heritage of the area. In fact, the race is called Tor des Chateaux® and its goal will be to increase the appreciation of Italian and foreign athletes, their supporters and the international press, with regard to the rich but still little known natural, cultural and historical heritage of the towns of the central Valley. This race will be a significant springboard for tourism, as was the case following the success of the Tor des Géants ®.
The race will be held over a weekend on a circuit of about 160 kilometers, starting and finishing in Aosta, with the mountain half-way mark in Avise and the valley one at Forte di Bard. The website www.tordeschateaux.it will be activated within a few days.