Echternach, Luxembourg 06.09.2026
Source: http://www.lacharlygaul.lu/
The 36th edition of La Charly Gaul will take place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in Echternach, Luxembourg. Organized by ACC Contern, this legendary cyclo-sportive (Gran Fondo) honors the Luxembourgish cycling icon Charly Gaul, “The Angel of the Mountains.”
The general timeline and race arrangements for the event outline the key details below:
Race Distances & Starts La Charly Gaul 2026
Participants can choose between two challenging courses that wind through the beautiful, hilly terrain of the Mullerthal region (Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland) and the northern parts of the country:
- La Charly Gaul A (Gran Fondo) * Distance: Approximately 150 km
- Departure: Exact morning schedule is synchronized with the main event rollout, typically starting right before or alongside the shorter distance.
- La Charly Gaul B (Medio Fondo)
- Distance: Approximately 100 km
- Start Time: 09:30 AM
- Location: Place du Marché (Market Square), Echternach
Key Event Details
- Eligibility: Open to all cyclists over the age of 14.
- Arrival & Control Closure: The arrival control for the races closes strictly at 15:00 (3:00 PM).
- Registration & Race Pack Collection: * Pre-registrations run online until Thursday, September 3, 2026 at a discounted rate (€35 for the 150 km / €30 for the 100 km).
- Late registrations and race number pick-ups are available on-site at the registration desk in Echternach leading up to the race start (at a €5 surcharge). Cash and digital payments via Payconiq/Wero are accepted on-site.
- Safety Notice: The course takes place on public roads. While the Grand-Ducal Police and race marshals secure priority at strategic intersections, participants must respect standard traffic regulations. A broom wagon (“fin de surveillance”) will follow the race pace exactly 1 hour behind the leaders.
About Charly Gaul
Charly Gaul (1932–2005) was a legendary professional racing cyclist from Luxembourg, widely considered one of the greatest climbers in the history of the sport. He was famously nicknamed “The Angel of the Mountains” (L’Ange de la Montagne) due to his incredibly fluid, high-cadence climbing style and his ability to fly up the steepest peaks.
Here is a breakdown of what made him a cycling icon:
Major Career Achievements
Gaul was a dominant force in Grand Tours during the 1950s, capturing some of the sport’s most prestigious titles:
- Tour de France Winner (1958): He won the general classification after an epic solo ride through a freezing rainstorm in the Alps, turning a massive time deficit into a legendary victory.
- Giro d’Italia Winner (1956, 1959): He won the Italian Grand Tour twice. His 1956 victory is legendary for his climb up Monte Bondone during a brutal snowstorm where many riders dropped out due to frostbite.
- King of the Mountains: He won the mountains classification twice in the Tour de France (1955, 1956) and twice in the Giro d’Italia (1956, 1959).
- Podium Finishes: He finished 3rd in the Tour de France in both 1955 and 1961.
His Unique Style & Legacy
- The Weather Specialist: Gaul was famous for performing his best in the absolute worst weather conditions—freezing cold, pouring rain, and snow. While other riders suffered, he thrived.
- The “Charly Gaul” Pedal Stroke: Unlike many riders of his era who pushed heavy gears, Gaul revolutionized climbing by using lighter gears and spinning his pedals at a very high cadence.
- A National Hero: He remains one of Luxembourg’s greatest sports figures. Today, his legacy lives on through La Charly Gaul, the annual cyclo-sportive race held in Echternach that attracts thousands of amateur cyclists from all over Europe.
