Ile de Beauté alpine - Cycling Simulator

Somewhere between the island of Sardinia and the European mainland, there lies an isle which they call "L'Ile de Beauté ". The nickname translates to "The Island of Beauty" and truly befits the isle commonly found on maps by its more trivial name of Corsica.

Given its geographic location, it is hardly a surprise, that many cultures and people have left their imprint on the Island over the millennia and centuries. Rugged shorelines and mountains covering all but a small strip of coastal low-lands on the eastern shore, have always been more than just stunning natural beauty. History and nature have shaped the mentality of the Corsicans. Today's race will lead the peloton through some of the islands most iconic historical landscapes and provide the riders many a breathtaking view.

Starting in the picturesque old harbour of Bastia, the route heads straight south for the first 45km on pretty flat roads down the eastern coast of the island. When the small sea-side village of Santa-Lucia-di-Moriani is reached, the rout turns and heads inland. On winding roads, the peloton will find its way through a unique mountainous cultural landscape, the Castagniccia. To avoid devastating famines, the whole region was planted with chestnut trees almost five centuries ago. For a few centuries, chestnuts became the main staple of the island and made the Castagniccia the richest part of the island. To the Corsicans, the chestnut tree became "l'arbre à pain" - the tree of bread.

About 100km into the race, the highest point of the race will be reached at just short of 1000m above sea-level; just before the peloton will pass through the small mountain village of Morosaglia. What might look like "just another village" in these lavishly green wooded enchanting mountains, is a place of extraordinary importance in Corsican history. It is the home village of Pasquale de Paoli, a revolutionary and guerrilla leader who fought for Corsican independence in the 18th century. What nowadays is a paradise for cyclists and hikers, was a hotspot of revolutionary thought and the course of Corsican independence in his time. Under his military leadership, the island gained de facto independence from Genoa in 1755. Independence was short lived, however. In 1769 his guerrilla forces had to surrender to French military superiority. The island has been part of France ever since.

From here, the route will take the riders down into the narrow valley of the river Golo, incidentally the longest river on the island. Reaching the valley floor about 124km into the race, the route follows the river for about 10km, rising ever so slightly. When the route leaves the Golo valley a mere 12km from the line, the road gets steeper. Here, riders and teams will battle it out to bring about a preliminary decision.

Following the D18, the peloton now heads straight for Corte, where the race will finish in the shadow of the citadel towering above town. On that final ramp, the final decision about the day's winner will fall. Although never steep, a few gaps could open up here. After a long day in the saddle under the mediterranean sun, the all deciding question will be: "who's got the most power left?" Here, dreams will come true - or be shattered.

During the brief period of Corsican independence, it was this very place that Pasquale Paoli chose as the island's capital. It was here, where he wrote a democratic constitution. It was Corte, from where he governed. His right-hand man: Carlo di Buonaparte. Non other, than Napoleon's father.

While the faith of the Corsican republic has long been decided and the island was conquered by France centuries ago, one question will be asked every edition of "Ile de Beauté alpine" when the OCM tour arrives on the island and sets out from Bastia: "who came here to conquer, who will suffer defeat?"