The Haute Route Pyrenees kicks off the series, rolling out in Anglet on August 20, with the first day offering the chance to climb La Pierre-Saint-Martin, scene of Chris Froome’s explosive Tour de France stage victory in 2015.

The Col du Tourmalet, Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque and Route des Lacs – the latter new to the route for this year – all then lie in wait en-route to Toulouse.

On the Haute Route Alps, the Col du Galibier must be climbed from both sides, while the beautiful hairpins of the Lacets de Montvernier also lie in wait.

New climbs include the Col du Tra, while iconic ascents such as the Col d’Izoard and Col de la Madeleine are also packed in, with riders departing Nice on August 28 and arriving in Geneva on September 3.

The Haute Route Dolomites Swiss Alps then takes participants from Geneva to Venice, between September 5 and September 11, with the route including the iconic Stelvio and similarly fierce Passo Gavia and Passo Giau.

The seven days include 12 summits above 2,000m with more than 21,000m of climbing crammed into the 900km route.

For full stage descriptions on the Haute Route Pyrenees, Haute Route Alps and Haute Route Dolomites Swiss Alps follow the respective links.

Otherwise, whet your appetite with the trailer above and head this way for more information and to register – the final discount entry window closes at midnight on November 30.

Haute Route Dolomites Swiss Alps 2016 route

Monday September 5 – Geneva to Crans-Montana (177km, 4/5)

Tuesday September 6 – Crans-Montana to San Gottardo (137km, 3/5)

Wednesday September 7 – St Moritz to Bormio (97km, 5/5)

Thursday September 8 – Bormio to Stelvio (21km, individual time trial, 3/5)

Friday September 9 – Bormio to Alto Adige (144km, 4/5)

Saturday September 10 – Alto Adige to Cortina d’Ampezzo (150km, 5/5)

Sunday September 11 – Corina d’Ampezzo to Venice (175km, 4/5)