What Is 2017 Tour du Haut Var

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Tour du Haut Var was a two-stage professional road cycling race held on February 18 and 19, 2017, in southeastern France. Romain Bardet won the general classification, marking a key early-season victory in the 2.1-category UCI Europe Tour event.

Key Facts

The race took place on February 18–19, 2017 in the Var region of France
It consisted of two stages: 177.5 km and 172 km long
Romain Bardet of AG2R La Mondiale claimed the overall victory
The race was rated as a 2.1 category event on the UCI Europe Tour
Thibaut Pinot finished second, 17 seconds behind Bardet

Overview

The 2017 Tour du Haut Var was a significant early-season professional cycling race that helped riders prepare for the spring classics. Held in the Var department of southeastern France, the event attracted top-tier UCI ProTeams and continental squads looking to test form ahead of more grueling campaigns.

As a 2.1-category race on the UCI Europe Tour, it offered valuable ranking points and competitive racing in hilly terrain. The 2017 edition stood out for its condensed two-stage format, a change from previous single-day formats, allowing for a more strategic general classification battle.

Stage 1 spanned 177.5 kilometers, starting in Draguignan and finishing in Grasse, featuring rolling terrain and a challenging final climb.
Stage 2 covered 172 kilometers from Roquebrune-sur-Argens to Fayence, including multiple categorized climbs in the final 50 km.
Romain Bardet won the overall classification, marking his first victory of the 2017 season and boosting his team’s morale early in the year.
The race was part of the UCI Europe Tour, attracting 18 teams including WorldTour squads like AG2R La Mondiale and FDJ.
Weather conditions were mild but windy, with temperatures around 14°C, affecting pacing and breakaway attempts during both stages.

How It Works

The Tour du Haut Var operates as a multi-stage road cycling race, with results determined by cumulative time across stages. General classification contenders aim to finish each stage as quickly as possible, while sprinters and breakaway specialists target stage wins.

General Classification (GC): Calculated by summing each rider’s stage times; the lowest total time wins. Romain Bardet won with a cumulative time of 6h 52' 11".
Time Bonuses: Awarded at stage finishes and intermediate sprints; 10, 6, and 4 seconds for top three at stage ends.
Team Strategy: Teams coordinate pacing, set tempo on climbs, and protect leaders; AG2R La Mondiale shielded Bardet on the final ascent.
Stage Wins: Individual stage results don’t guarantee overall victory; Thibaut Pinot won Stage 2 but finished second overall.
Climbing Difficulty: The Col de la Clayette and Côte de la Croix du Béal were key climbs influencing GC outcomes.
Race Organization: Managed by ASPTT Aix-en-Provence, with UCI sanctioning and local government support ensuring logistics and safety.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2017 Tour du Haut Var with previous editions and similar early-season races:

Race	Year	Stages	Winner	Winning Time
2017 Tour du Haut Var	2017	2	Romain Bardet	6h 52' 11"
2016 Tour du Haut Var	2016	1	Thomas De Gendt	4h 22' 34"
2015 Tour du Haut Var	2015	1	Alberto Contador	4h 18' 12"
Tour du Haut Var - 2014	2014	1	Jean-Christophe Péraud	4h 20' 45"
Tour Méditerranéen	2017	4	Thibaut Pinot	13h 41' 08"

The shift to a two-stage format in 2017 added strategic depth compared to prior single-day editions, making it more comparable to races like the Tour Méditerranéen. This change emphasized consistency over multiple days, benefiting climbers and all-rounders like Bardet. Unlike longer stage races, the Tour du Haut Var remains a regional event with national significance, serving as a crucial benchmark for French teams.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Tour du Haut Var played a pivotal role in shaping early-season momentum for several riders and teams. Its restructured format reflected broader trends in professional cycling to enhance competition and viewer engagement.

Early-Season Benchmark: Provided teams with performance data ahead of Paris–Nice and the Tour de France later in the year.
French Cycling Pride: Highlighted domestic talent, with three French riders in the top five, boosting national interest.
Team Development: Helped emerging riders gain experience in multi-stage racing under UCI regulations.
Route Design Influence: The hilly parcours inspired similar profiles in other early-season races across Europe.
Sponsorship Visibility: Regional sponsors like Var Department Council gained exposure through national broadcasts.
Legacy of Format Change: The two-stage model was retained in 2018, proving its success in enhancing competitive depth.

Overall, the 2017 Tour du Haut Var demonstrated how smaller, national-level races contribute significantly to the professional cycling ecosystem. By combining tradition with innovation, it remains a key fixture on the early European racing calendar.