Get ready for the Grand Raid BCVS with ARNAUD RAPILLARD – EPISODE N°6

6 June 2025

3 months before the Grand Raid BCVS 😍
Acknowledging your route is a key factor in achieving your goal.
Between Verbier and Grimentz, there is permanent signposting.
Technically speaking, we’re not on a particularly difficult route, and that’s clearly one of the factors behind the popular success. Of course, some sections require good control of the bike to keep your foot off the ground, but overall it’s a very smooth ride.
To perform well, the reconnaissance part seems essential to me. Having the course in mind, being able to smooth out your effort on climbs, choosing the right trajectory on descents. At the end of the race, with fatigue, what seems insignificant can quickly become problematic. A fall, a puncture, minutes lost. The descent to La Tzoumaz, the Nendaz ski run, the crossing over Les Collons, the descent to Hérémence, the crossing over Mandelon, Volovron-Eison and the descent to Grimentz. There are lots of traps! ⚠️
The altitude component is also important. Much of the race takes place near or above 2000 metres. Even at these altitudes, performance levels are naturally lower than on the plains. Doing some training on the course helps to limit the decline. And what about the Pas de Lona walk? 😬😍
In practical terms, this type of reconnaissance is easily done in several stages, probably 2 for the best runners, 3 for the majority. Public transport makes it easy to get to the course, so make the most of it. And there’s no need to overload your pockets with refreshments, as there are plenty of nuggets along the way to restore your health. By the way, where do you make your pit stop? 🍎🍟🍺🥤🍷
See you soon, Arnaud.

Registration and information at www.grand-raid-bcvs.ch.

Introducing your coach :
Arnaud Rapillard, 37, 5x top 10 Verbier-Grimentz, PR: 6h23 and 49 seconds in 2016.
He has 18 editions to his credit between 2004 and 2023, including 12 from Verbier. He knows the course “like the back of his hand.
Trained at the University of Fribourg and then at Macolin in the field of sports science, his knowledge of training and physiology were the keys to his consistency on this legendary event. A hard worker and perfectionist, he has always sought to pay attention to the details of his training and his equipment in order to push back his limits.
Now retired from competitive sport, he puts the same energy into his company Next Percent to help endurance athletes achieve their goals.

Grand Raid BCVS