The first race of the Boucles Drome Ardèche series, the Classic Sud Ardeche-Souvenir Francis Delpech, will have a few changes for the 2017 season.

Most notably, the race will have a new name as it will be known as Faun Environnement-Classic de l’Ardèche-Rhône Crussol. This new name is the result of the sponsorship of Faun Environnement and the support of the Rhone Crussol Community, the territory where the event takes place. 

While the start and finish will be the same and stay in Guilherand-Granges, the rest of the route will be changed significantly. Previously contested on a circuit with three climbs, the race will now be split into two parts. First the riders will do a first circuit of 50 kilometers three times where the Col du Rotisson, already on the program in 2016, and the Col de la Justice will be the main challenges. The riders will then head to the final circuit, where two new climbs will be tackled. It is Cote de Cornas (5.8 km to 5.7%) and a little later, Val d'Enfer. As its name indicates, this final obstacle, located 6km from the finish, will be tough. It averages more than 9% over 1700 meters to more than 9% and leads to a descent that brings the riders to Guilherand-Granges. 

Faun Environnement-Classic de l’Ardèche-Rhône Crussol is scheduled for February 25. The defending champion is Petr Vakoc (Etixx-Quick Step).