The race was first organized since 2002 as Grand Prix de Plouay – Bretagne, on the day of the men's race and on the same circuit.[1] The race consists of four 26.9 km laps and two 13.9 km laps, totalling 135.4 km.
The course is known for its high rate of attrition, with riders rapidly dropping out of contention. The first climb starts almost immediately as the race goes over the Côte du Lézot, a one-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 6%. Next is a six-kilometre ascent up to the Chapelle Sainte-Anne des Bois marking the halfway point of the lap. After a flat section, the race addresses the Côte de Ty Marrec, which has a maximum gradient of 10%. The riders will have to tackle this 26.9 kilometre loop 4 times, before entering a last shortened 13.9 kilometre version of the loop, taking the riders over the Côte du Lézot and the Côte de Ty Marrec. The run-in to the finish is slightly downhill. The race is often won by the best sprinter of the climbers.[3]