Thibaut Clément: The 7 Majors in 16 hours and 06 minutes!
After swallowing the Route des Grandes Alpes in less than 39 hours last year, Thibaut Clément is now tackling another cycling myth: the 7 Majors.
360 km, > 10,000 m D+, 7 legendary cols all above 2000 m: Izoard (2360 m), Agnel (2744 m), Sampeyre (2284 m), Fauniera (2481 m), Lombarde (2350 m), Cime de la Bonnette (2802 m), Vars (2108 m). On August 9, 2025, Thibaut Clément climbed them all in complete autonomy in just over 16 hours, bettering the best known time by almost 1 h 15. Here's a look back at this extraordinary day, marked by a near-fatal heatwave and meticulous effort management from first pedal stroke to sunset.
Thibaut, why the 7 Majors?
Every year, I set myself a goal. In 2023, I crossed Corsica on the GT20. In 2024, it was the Route des Grandes Alpes. This year, I wanted to tackle the mythical route of the 7 Majeurs, both for the challenge and to discover passes and landscapes I'd never seen before. Plus, registering a new mark on a benchmark route is always stimulating.
How was the date decided?
I didn't really have a choice. Between my work, my vacations, the Tour de la Réunion in September and other races, the available slot fell in the middle of a heatwave. Fortunately, with many passages above 2000 m, I knew I'd find some coolness.
A nice new mark?
All in all, I rode 15 h 25 min 18 s, for a total time of 16 hours and 6 minutes, almost an hour and fifteen minutes short of the best mark on record. In the end, my heat stroke forced me to stop for 40 minutes instead of the planned 30!
Objectif 2026?
I don't know yet. You tell me...
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