Following their popularity during the previous edition where they broadened the horizon of the Roc d’Azur towards the Estérel Mountains, the Rando Estérel, Rando Électrique Estérel and Canyon Gravel Estérel, winding through the heights above Saint-Raphaël, will again make it possible to enjoy the sublime landscape with its ochre-coloured rocks and spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Starting from the Cap Estérel village in Saint-Raphaël and finishing in Agay, mountain bikers will have the choice between 4 distances, from 24 to 56 km (and 49 to 70 km for the gravel), on routes technically accessible to all.
The Roc Trail, on the programme for Saturday 7th October, is also expanding with an extra distance. There are now four different lengths (16 km, 22 km, 32 km and 43 km) starting from Roquebrune-sur-Argens with the privilege of seeing the magnificent Rocher de Roquebrune mount rising above the Argens plain.
After opening its doors to triathletes with the Tri Roc in 2012 and then to trail runners last year, the Roc d’Azur will this year be offering four different routes for hikes (5 km, 8 km, 13 km and 22 km) to hiking enthusiasts on Sunday 8th October.
Well, why settle for one discipline on the Roc d’Azur when the programme offers so many possibilities? Fans of outdoor pursuits as a whole will find plenty to satisfy their desire for diversity with the Multi-Roc Challenge. The principle of this veritable sporting challenge is to participate in the Tri Roc on Thursday, the Ford Roc Marathon on Friday, the Roc Trail (32 km) on Saturday and obviously the Roc d’Azur on Sunday. The classification will take account of performances over all the races, no doubt a source of fun for some!
Over time and from one edition to the next, certain races and rides have become essential points for all those who come to Fréjus each year to extend their summer. As a result, participants will again be able to enjoy the traditional Rallye Roc XC and Roc Trophy (a race per day over five days) starting on Wednesday, the Tri Roc on Thursday, the Ford Roc Marathon, the Enduroc and the Roc Ruelles in Fréjus on Friday, the Rando Noire, the fancy-dress Rando Déguisée, the Canyon Gravel Roc, and also the Kid Roc for the youngest riders on Saturday. Not forgetting, of course, the Roc d’Azur on Sunday with its internationally-renowned stars.
The 39th edition, which will take place from 4th to 8th October, will provide a further chapter in the cooperation between the Roc d’Azur and city of Fréjus. This wonderful story, which began in 1997, 13 years after the creation of the event with seven cyclists in the surroundings of Saint-Tropez-Ramatuelle, and which also has recently been extended until 2027, has made the Roc d’Azur one of the biggest gatherings for mountain bikers in the world. The wealth of the programme provides races and rides for all levels, all disciplines (gravel, electric-assisted bicycles, etc.) and even all ages (from 2 years old!). Because innovation is part of the Roc d’Azur’s DNA, the 2023 vintage will combine the tradition of the essential events with the emergence of new features intended to broaden the festival for the family of outdoor sports at the Fréjus nature base.
For more information: www.rocazur.com
