The Chrono des Nations is one of international cycling’s most distinctive one-day events, dedicated entirely to the individual time trial. Held in Les Herbiers, in the Vendée region of western France, the race brings together elite specialists to compete against the clock on a course where pacing, aerodynamics and endurance matter more than team tactics. Its origins date to 1982, when the event began as the Chrono des Herbiers, before adopting its current international identity.
Around the Peloton explores the Chrono des Nations through the landscapes and history of the Vendée, from its rolling farmland and rural communities to the turbulent events of the French Revolution and the region’s enduring cultural traditions. Beyond the competition, the race offers a different way to experience professional cycling, following individual riders through a territory where every kilometre is measured against time.
Most road races begin with a peloton. The Chrono des Nations begins with a rider waiting alone on the starting ramp in Les Herbiers, watching the final seconds disappear from the clock before being released onto the roads of the…
