l'etape du tour ravitaillement

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2025 edition

L'Étape du Tour de France - Teaser 2024

Expert road bike reviews and the latest road bike news, features and advice. Find rides & events, training articles and participate in our forums

How to train for the 2015 etape du tour: part five – tapering and event-day logistics, with two weeks to go, time to ease your training, nail your final preparations and tackle the etape du tour..., ravitaillement.

The route for the 2015 Etape du Tour takes in three major climbs and concludes with a summit finish - bring your climbing legs (Pic: ASO)

Taper your efforts in the final two weeks, however tempting it may be to ride hard pic: ©Media24

Take care when packing your bike (pic: Colin Dennis)

Pace yourself, as burning out early will really cost you on the final climb (Pic: ASO)

Take full advantage of the feed stations, but be measured in how and when you take food on (pic: Sirotti)

There will be several feed stops for ‘ravitaillement’ over the course of the Etape and you should use these top up your bottles and pockets.

Don’t necessarily stuff yourself at these stops, rather using the descents to take on board more substantial items of food to allow more digestion time before you hit the harder climbs.

Once you’re on the climbs you will want all your blood heading to your legs rather than your digestive system so stick to simpler, carbohydrate based foods and drink such as energy drink (again, Isostar is the official provider so check you get on with this beforehand and if not then bring your own!), gels and sweets.

If it is hot it will be very important to take on plenty of water so don’t hold back with your drinking, losing a minute to fill up your bottles or for a ‘comfort break’ will be insignificant compared to the time you could lose if you become dehydrated.

See the last article for more tips on nutrition for the Etape.

Bonne chance!

So there you have it. Over the previous 20 weeks you’ve trained hard to develop the fitness and skills needed to master this year’s Etape du Tour.

The preparation is done but now is the key time to ensure your final preparations in terms of training, nutrition and equipment are ready for the big day.

Be confident in your ability to do well, but remember the mountains can be unforgiving so it’s vital to pace yourself well to get through the day, satisfied you’ve ridden your best and not on your knees on that final climb. Good luck!

Tom Kirk is a coach for Custom Cycle Coaching

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L’Étape du Tour 2024: expert tips for riding the Étape 2024

L’Étape du Tour de France is (probably) the most famous mass participation bike ride in the world. Each year, thousands of amateur cyclists gather to ride one of the toughest and most spectacular stages of the Tour de France.  

2024 will be the 32nd edition of  L’Étape du Tour. It will be held on 7 July 2024 on the route of the 20th stage of the Tour de France 2024, between Nice and the Col de la Couillole (via the Col de Braus, Col de Turini and Col de la Colmiane).

Sports Tours International is an Étape du Tour Official Tour Operator. They’ve been helping cyclists book tours to L’Étape and Tour de France since 1996. In this article we speak with Clement Cicuto, Sports Tours’ General Manager for Europe. He gives the lowdown on L’Étape 2024 including firsthand tips on the Étape route, nutrition and what it takes to achieve success at L’Étape.

This guide provides an overview of the 32 nd edition of the Étape du Tour to be held on 7 July 2024. Please read the rules, entry conditions and information on the official website if you want to take part. In the event of any discrepancy between this guide and information on the official website, please rely on the official website. We are not the organisers of the event (nor are we connected with them).

Part 1: What is L’Étape du Tour and is it for you?  

What is l’étape  .

L’Étape du Tour is an annual bike ride organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (“A.S.O.”), the same people that organise the Tour de France.  

First held back in 1993, today it sees 15,000 amateur cyclists ride a stage of the Tour de France on closed roads. The Étape takes place in early July, usually a few days before the professional peloton rides the same route. This lets riders experience the same challenges and a very similar atmosphere as the professional riders.  

A.S.O. usually choose one of the queen stages of the Tour de France for L’Étape; the queen stage is always one of the spectacular mountain stages. This means that the Étape course changes every year. In recent years it has tended to be in the Alps, so you can expect big mountain climbs and spectacular scenery.  

Why is L’Étape so famous?    

L’Étape piggybacks on the fame of Le Tour and is set apart from other European sportives and granfondos by that connection. It’s made special by the fact the route is different every year and that the route will always be a nearly identical copy of a stage of the Tour de France that the pros will ride just a few days later. Riding the Étape du Tour is a unique opportunity to challenge yourself and ride in the footsteps of cycling legends. It’s the way to get a true taste of the Tour de France.     

The L’Étape route takes riders to new areas every year, but the things you can always be assured of are magnificent mountain panoramas and excellent organisation.  Small things make it special – for example, the level of support from spectators, the vibrant expo at the race village, official classifications and an official podium ceremony with Tour de France jerseys.

Especially if the Étape finishes on one of the famous passes, you can expect amazing support from the crowds. On sections of the course, you’ll find roads with thousands of people cheering you on to the finish. The reason? Many of them will be there “bagging” their place for the pro race in a few days’ time. You are the warm-up act!  

Another thing that’s special about the Étape are the medals; they’re usually really nice and different every year. Many of our guests that come back year after year like to collect them.  

It’s a sign of quite how popular L’Étape du Tour is that A.S.O. have created international versions of L’Étape. The Étape series is marketed under the name Étape by Tour de France series. The events are held around the world to give local riders a taste of the Étape du Tour and the Tour de France.  

Give an overview of the Étape 2024 course  

The exact Étape du Tour date and location are announced in October each year. There’s always a sense of excitement at Sports Tours as we approach this time as to what the route will be.  

The good news is that wherever the route goes, we make sure our guests get the best hotels.  We’ve been organising Tour de France holidays for over 20 years, and so we have amazing relationships with hotels all over the Alps. That means we can use those connections to provide our riders with the best options for places to stay. Our hotels have prime locations close to the finish.

The 2024 edition of L’Étape du Tour de France, includes 4,600 metres of climbing over 138-kilometres. These kind of distances and amount of climbing are typical of what we’ve seen from L’Étape in recent years. However, the Tour organisers are suggesting that the 2024 Étape is set to be one of the more demanding routes in recent history. We will see!

Want a place in the Étape 2024?

Sports Tours can help – as at 7 March 2024, we’ve got a few entry + accommodation packages remaining ( here ) or entry-only options ( here) . In each case you’ll get access to the Sports Tours additional feed stations, support from the team and (optional extra) transfers too.

Get in touch to get your place or find out more!

La Marmotte v L’Étape: which is better?  

Many would say that L’Étape and La Marmotte are the two most famous amateur cycling events in Europe. They are both held in the breathtaking Alps, and many serious cyclists feel compelled to tackle both in their lifetime (albeit maybe not the same year, given they’re often only a few days apart!).  

Many people believe that the Marmotte course is more challenging than the Étape, so we’d probably suggest starting with the Étape and then taking on the Marmotte.  

Here are some important distinctions:  

• L’Étape usually takes place in early July 2024, while the Marmotte takes place at the end of June.
• L’Étape limits participants to around 15,000 riders, while La Marmotte allows a maximum of 7,000 riders.
• L’Étape is held on fully closed roads, while the Marmotte is on partially closed roads.
• L’Étape course changes annually and is unveiled in mid-October of the previous year, while the course for La Marmotte tends to remain roughly 95% the same year after year.
• L’Étape usually covers fewer, and sometimes less iconic, cols than La Marmotte’s four unchanging iconic cols.
• Some iterations of L’Étape are easier than others (relatively speaking!) but in any event, they’re usually shorter and have less elevation gain than La Marmotte.

Want to know more about riding La Marmotte? Read our article on La Marmotte .

Part 2: L’Étape 2024 route

Many of the climbs featured in the 2024 Étape route have been seen in Paris-Nice over the years (albeit usually from a different direction). 2018 saw Simon Yates win on the Col de la Colmaine, 2019 was a victory for Daniel Felipe Martínez on the Turini, 2022 for Primoz Roglic on the Turini and 2023 was Pogacar’s turn on Col de la Couillole.

The four big climbs on the route of the Étape 2024 are:

Col de Braus

Col de Braus is 10 kilometres long, with an average 6.6% gradient.

Just 15 or so kilometres after the start, the Étape hits the Col de Braus. The Étape climbs the classic side of the Col de Braus, from L’Escarene. This side includes a set of much-photographed, neatly engineered switchbacks.

One of the things I particularly like about the Col de Braus is that you feel you are heading into the mountains, away from the craziness of Nice city centre. Of course, on Étape day, it won’t be quite as serene as quiet and serene as normal!

Col de Turini

Col de Turini is 20.7 kilometres long, with an average 5.7% gradient.

After descending Col de Braus to Sospel, there’s barely any time to recover as the road turns upwards again.

The Col de Turini climb from Sospel is probably the most well-known climb of the day. With around 1,200 metres of climbing, it demands respect and strategic riding. The climb gradually increases in difficulty, with switchbacks famous for the Monte Carlo Rally. As riders ascend through the Gorges du Piaon, you’re surrounded by a stunning backdrop of rugged rock faces and waterfalls. The village of Moulinet marks a mid-point for the climb. Watch out for the final five kilometres; with consistent 7.6% gradients, reaching the summit will undoubtedly be a relief!

Col de la Colmiane

Col de la Colmiane is 7.5 kilometres long, with an average 7.1% gradient.

The climb might be marked as a mere 7.5 kilometres, but in fact, it will feel much longer, as the profile is pretty much constantly upward all the way from the 82km mark at Roquebillière (568m). That makes La Colmaine more like a 20 km climb averaging 5%. By the time you’re at Saint-Martin-Vésubie, you’re at 925m above sea level – and this is where the official climb starts (7.5 kilometres at 7.1% average gradient). It’s a beautiful climb from here; the views from the hairpins on the climb to the high peaks of Argentera and Gélas are stunning and the smell of the fir trees may even overpower the likely smell of your own perspiration as you grind your way up!

Col de la Couillole

Col de la Couillole is 15.7 kilometres long, with an average 7.1% gradient.

Barely has the Col de la Colmaine descent finished, and you’re on to the final climb of the day. The climb hugs the side of the mountain and provides fantastic views down to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée below. On the way up is the wonderful village of Roubion, built on the side of a cliff, overlooking the Vionène Valley. The finish summits at 1,768m.

You’ll be riding in the steps of cycling legends; the pass is known for the famous 1975 Tour de France stage with Eddy Merckx and was the Paris-Nice 2017 highest stage finish. It was also part of the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes in 2021 and 2023 and saw a spectacular finish from Pogacar in the 2023 Paris-Nice.

Part 3: Practicalities of taking part in L’Étape  

How to get a place on étape du tour  .

To enter the Étape du Tour, you need to register on the official Étape website . Entry registration usually opens in October and spaces are limited, so it’s important to secure your spot early. You will need to provide personal details, sign a waiver, and pay the entry fee.  

If you don’t get a spot, don’t worry, as an official operator of the Étape, Sports Tours gets a generous allocation of tickets and we usually still have places available after the ticket-only options have sold out. More details below.  

Remember your medical certificate  

Before participating in the Étape du Tour, you will need to obtain a medical certificate. This requirement ensures that you are fit to take part in the event. The Étape website provides a detailed template for the certificate, which needs to be completed and signed by a doctor. It must be dated within one year of the event.    

What are the cut-off times for L’Étape du Tour 2024?    

These are not yet known. We will update the article once they are published.  

Is L’Étape du Tour on closed roads?  

Yes, it is. However, note that Étape regulations incorporate a number of safety requirements including a reminder that you’ll still be sharing the road with the event organisation vehicles, e.g. safety and medical vehicles. More information on their site, here.  

How hard is L’Étape du Tour? How do you train?    

The Étape du Tour is a challenging ride, designed to replicate the difficulty faced by the professionals. Expect demanding climbs and technical descents. It is essential to train and prepare hard to ensure you can complete the distance within the time cut-offs.  

The event attracts the best amateur riders from the world over, and especially towards the front of the field, competition is fierce. Only the best cyclists can hope to finish anywhere near the podium. Simply to finish is something to be proud of; literally thousands of riders abandon every year.  

Can beginner cyclists enter L’Étape?  

Technically they can – but it’s not a great idea. It would be much more sensible to start with an easier event, get yourself confident with cycling in big groups and cycling in the mountains, and then attempt the Étape.  

Do you need a training plan for L’Étape du Tour?  

However, what your Étape training plan looks like will vary considerably depending on how experienced you, how fit you and your objectives for the event.  

L’Étape training plans are well outside the scope of this article, but consistency, commitment, hill climbing practice and developing your aerobic and fat-burning capabilities will be key.    

An Étape d’Tour training plan is outside the scope of this article, but here are some key points to consider  

• Cycling the challenging Étape requires physical fitness and specific cycling conditioning. Don’t underestimate the level of fitness needed, even if you’re fit from another sport.
• Developing the ability to climb all the hills is crucial. Descending skills are important for safety, whether you’re a professional or amateur. Learn good technique to stay safe.
• It sounds basic, but it’s also really important to know how to properly fuel your ride and take on food and drink even when exhausted. Without this ability, finishing is unlikely.
• Mental strength is key as L’Étape will probably be one of the toughest challenges you’ve ever faced.
• Give yourself a good taper in the last two weeks to make sure you’re fresh for the event.
• Remember to pace yourself. It’s better to start easy and finish fast than it is to start fast and finish past your limit.

On the topic of mental strength, have a watch of this video that David Millar created for Sports Tours. In it, David shares his tips for tackling L’Étape.

What support is there on the route?  

L’étape event support  .

The event provides a mechanical assistance service with a neutral support car and Shimano fixed mechanical service points positioned along the route. However, of course you might not find assistance the exact moment you need it, so be prepared (more on that below).  

L’Étape feed stations will be found along the course. The feed stations are stocked with water and basic nutrition like nuts and bananas.  

Two private feed stations  

We offer two private feed stations on the course, with abundant food and drink options. These stations are less crowded than the official ones, allowing for easier access. Each station is equipped with a bike mechanic and basic first aid for your convenience. By using these private stations, you can save valuable time as they are quicker to enter and exit compared to the public stations.  

How to plan your nutrition?  

Make sure to fuel your body properly and stay hydrated, even if the weather isn’t sunny.   

If you’re participating in a hot edition of L’Étape, it’s crucial to pay extra attention to your fluid intake. If you start feeling overheated, take advantage of any opportunities to cool down.   

For instance, try riding in the shaded part of the road whenever possible. You can also use roadside water troughs to cool yourself off.   

If you’re riding with Sports Tours , make sure to pack a day bag that you can access at the first feed station. This way, you can store any unwanted gear and replenish your preferred nutrition.  

A final practical point, all of our Étape hotels provide an early breakfast, with a great selection of food (and coffee!) but feel free to check with them exactly what time that will be and what food will be available. If it doesn’t match your needs, consider taking your own breakfast and eating it in your room.  

This has article has more tips for cycling nutrition for long events.

What kit choices do you suggest for riding L’Étape?  

Compulsory kit  .

Étape regulations state that the following items are compulsory: “helmet, water bottle, repair kit with two spare inner tubes or a specific tubular tyre or tubeless tyre puncture repair kit as well as a in the event of a puncture.”  

And also…  

Be prepared. Take spares of everything, including riding kit.   

Thoroughly prepare your bike or have a bike shop do it for you. Take the time to research the course carefully and ensure you have appropriate gearing  

Make sure you bring a good supply of preferred gels/bars, electrolyte tablets, 2 x spare tubes, Co2 canisters or frame pump. Don’t forget the sunscreen – or zinc if you prefer it. The packing list here may also assist.  

The weather can change at short notice, even in July. The minimum you’d want to have with you is arm warmers and a gilet; a light rain jacket may also be a good idea. The temperature can drop on higher elevations and fast descents can get chilly. More tips on weather in the Alps, here.

If it’s looking likely to rain, overshoes, long finger gloves, and knee warmers may be in order. Pack everything you may need and check the forecast when you arrive. Leave anything unnecessary in your hotel room. Stay ready for any weather and enjoy your ride!

Make sure you’ve got appropriate bike and travel insurance that’ll cover you if you (or your bike) in case of emergencies.  

And finally, how about jotting down the key summits, distances and feed/water stops on your bars. By the halfway mark, you might find your brain isn’t functioning at top speed and a reminder of the key milestones could come in handy!    

L’Étape accommodation: where should people stay?  

Accommodation for the Étape du Tour varies depending on the route and stage towns each year.   

If you’re going DIY, this can be one of the biggest headaches as so much accommodation gets booked up ahead of time by the Tour de France and people like Sports Tours! The best advice is to book as early as you possibly can. Looking for small, bike-friendly B&Bs and hotels in the area is a good way to go as they can provide local advice and support. There is often useful accommodation information the Étape du Tour website.  

We have worked with our hotels for many years; they fully understand the needs of our cyclists and provide services you need. There’s the early 5am breakfast on the day of the event, you can leave your bike in your room or in their secure bike storage and they can also arrange massages for you.  

Can you hire bikes for L’Étape?  

If you don’t have access to a suitable bike, you can take advantage of the bike hire service offered by the Étape du Tour organisers. However, it’s important to plan ahead as there may well be limited availability.   

Sports Tours guests can happily book road bike hire for the event if you prefer not to bring your own. However, I would say that it is really important to book this with, or as soon as possible after you book your main package, to ensure you secure the bike with the specifications you need. As you can imagine, demand for rental bikes is extremely high during this period.  

How should cyclists get to L’Étape du Tour 2024?  

For those that can drive rather than fly, there are certain advantages: it allows you to avoid bus transfers. You can also bring more equipment and spare parts for your bike and reduce the risk of your bike getting lost or damaged during transportation or assembly. It also makes it easier to check out the course and explore more of the surrounding area.

If you’re flying in, as the Étape du Tour is being held in Nice, getting to the Étape 2024 is easy. This site has information on direct flights to Nice and Nice train station is also extremely well connected.

If you fly, Sports Tours always arranges regular airport transfers from the most convenient international airport to the event. For L’Étape 2024, airport transfers will be available from Nice airport to the hotel throughout the day with our first transfer at 11:30am and our last transfer leaving at 20:00. On the return leg, after the event, our earliest airport transfer is for flights departing after 9:30, leaving the hotel at 07.00.

What tips would you give to someone wanting to do this event?  

Start of l’étape  .

In previous years, riders have been put in groups of about 1,000. The fastest riders have set off first and those pens typically have the lower number pens. 

Respect your starting pen and don’t drop litter   

Since 2019, the organisers have started disqualifying people that begin from a starting zone in front of the one they were allocated. The official website notes that in 2022, 122 people were disqualified for this.  

Likewise rules have been introduced to disqualify anyone disposing of waste outside the refuse disposal area. In 2022, eight people were disqualified for this.  

Other riders  

This is such a big ticket, famous event that it attracts riders of all levels, many of whom will be nervous and inexperienced. Prepare to ride confidently and decisively; your attitude will greatly impact your ability to stay out of trouble. Expect some stop-start riding; be ready to brake if needed.  

We’ve noticed that many L’Étape participants struggle with descending. If it’s something you’re good at, this gives you the chance to make up some time on the descents and improve your position; if that’s important to you. Just remember to always ride sensibly and don’t take unnecessary risks.  

David Millar prepared these tips on descending for us, which might help:

Spectators  

Every year the Tour de France prepares a map which shows the best points for spectators to spectate from. It’s worth looking at the official site.

There’s also a live tracking app so you can follow your rider(s).  

Some useful French  

These are the key phrases to know for the Étape!  

• Merci: thanks  
• Désolé: sorry  
• Arrête: stop
• À gauche: on the left  
• À droite: on the right  

Highway code and travel information  

As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for France are here.  

You should also read and follow France’s highway code.  

What is there to do before/after the Étape du Tour?  

It’s always exciting to be in France during Le Tour, it’s the annual party that sweeps through the country. If you want to arrive early and recce some of the awesome climbs and/or check out the location of the feed stations, our team at Sports Tours can help you book additional nights.  

For those that want to ride both the Étape and the L’Étape, we can also help you arrange that! Get in touch with us.

Part 4: L’Étape du Tour tours  

What is included in a sports tours package  .

Sports Tours’ packages include  

• 2 or 3 nights accommodation in either a 4 star or 3 star hotel in the start area (extra nights available on request)  
• Daily breakfast including early breakfast on race day  
• Transfer from the finish area back to your hotel 
• Bike storage at your hotel either in the room or in the hotel bike store   
• Assistance at the event expo and throughout your stay from our team of guides/reps  
• Mechanical support from our professional mechanics  
• 24 hour emergency number  
• Étape du Tour race briefing  
• Two additional feed stations on the route  
• Sports Tours cycling jersey
• All hotel taxes  

Mechanical support  

Our team is available to assist riders with any last-minute mechanical issues on the Saturday before the event.  

On the day, we will also have  mechanical assistance available at our private feed stations. That said, it’s important to know some basic skills yourself, such as repairing punctures and changing inner tubes, as it will save you time and keep you moving.   

Saturday morning briefing  

We run a briefing session on the Saturday morning where our experienced reps share information about the event and tips for successfully completing it. There’s also a Q&A so you can ask your own questions – and of course you can also speak to any of them outside of the briefing too. 

Morning of L’Étape day  

The exact itinerary will depend on the 2024 route.

We will have a kit drop facility at the start, so riders can drop off the kit they don’t need at the start – they are reunited with this kit back at their hotel. Many exchange their jackets for a bin bag which they wear to keep warm at the start; hanging around for 30 minutes or so in a pen waiting to start can be very cold this early in the morning with just a short sleeve jersey on!

What you get from Sports Tours that you don’t get from other operators?  

Only L’Étape official operators can offer many of the things we offer. For example, the extra feed station, pre-race briefing, transfer back to your hotel, mechanical support pre-event and Sports Tours cycling jersey. These things really make a difference to your overall experience.  

We can also bolt on extra Tour De France experiences to your weekend – there’s more about our Tour de France cycling holidays in this article.  

By trusting your L’Étape to Sports Tours, you benefit from the nearly 30 years of experience we and our team of experience L’Étape reps have had in helping riders get the most from L’Étape.  

How do you find more info about Sports Tours L’Étape packages?    

Head to the L’Étape page of our website.

Alternatively, call us and speak to one of our expert team who will be able to talk you through the options for your L’Étape experience.    

A huge thanks to Sports Tours for these valuable insights on taking part in L’Étape.  

Got a question for Sports Tours International?

Fill out this form and Sports Tours International will reply (within 24 hours wherever they possibly can!)

We will use this info to send the enquiry to Sports Tours International. Our privacy policy explains more and here’s a reminder of our disclosure policy and terms and conditions.

Have you ridden L’Étape du Tour de France?

We’d love to hear from you. Share your experiences in the comments below!

Want to read more? These articles might also be of interest

• Tour de France cycling holidays
• Cycling in France hub page

Got a question for Clément?

Fill out this form and we will send it to Clément. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours wherever possible!

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Clément Cicuto is General Manager for Europe at Sports Tours International . He’s in charge of creating, planning and implementing all the company’s events in France. He’s been planning Tour de France (and L’Étape du Tour de France) trips since 2010 and loves the challenge, excitement and variety they offer. Based near Paris, he’s close to the Tour’s organisers and grateful to them for their continued support that ensure Sports Tours can offer such fantastic experiences to its clients.

The contents of this website are provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on it. You should carry out your own due diligence and risk assessments and take professional advice. Views expressed by interviewees or other users of this website do not necessarily represent our views. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our website is accurate, complete or up to date. If you use any information or content on this website, download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through our website, it is entirely at your own discretion and risk. Epic Road Rides Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the information and content on this website. Find out more here .

A final word from Sports Tours International

“We’re delighted to support this article and just wanted to say a few words about why we think you should book L’Étape du Tour with us!

We are Europe’s original and leading cycling event travel operator

We’ve been running trips to mass participation cycling events for nearly 50 years.

We have a strong relationship with A.S.O, who are the organisers of L’Étape and the Tour de France.

What this means for you

Guaranteed entry to the highly sought-after L’Étape du Tour.

Inside-out knowledge of the event and close ties with its organisers. This means we can deal with all the stresses and logistics and you’ll be free to simply enjoy the ride.

Unrivalled event support  –

• 2 and 3-night accommodation in either a 4 star or 3 star hotel in the start area (extra nights available on request)
• Daily breakfast including early breakfast on race day
• Transfer from the finish area back to your hotel
• Bike storage at your hotel
• Mechanical support from our professional mechanics in Nice
• Two additional feed stations on route
• Sports Tours cycling jersey included
• Etape du Tour race briefing
• Race day transfers for spectators (additional extra)
• All hotel taxes

Want more info?

To see more info about trips to L’Étape, head to our website.

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you at L’Étape du Tour!”

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Artus Jaladeau vainqueur de l'Étape du Tour : "Un très bel accomplissement"

• Tadej Pogacar
• Jonas Vingegaard
• Remco Evenepoel
• Mathieu van der Poel
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Le Tour de France en Pays de Savoie

16 000 participants, 157 km, 5 cols : récit d'une Etape du Tour pas comme les autres

Étape du Tour Annemasse-Morzine : mission accomplie pour les 300 bénévoles

Toute la planète du vélo se retrouve à Annemasse ce week-end

Annemasse : au cœur du village de l’Etape du Tour, une mini-ville dédiée au vélo

Cyclisme Artus Jaladeau vainqueur de l'Étape du Tour : "Un très bel accomplissement"

Ce dimanche 9 juillet, 16 000 cyclistes participent à l’Etape du Tour entre Annemasse et Morzine. Revivez en images cet événement hors normes.

Samoëns. Ça sent la fin au col de Joux Plane sur les coups de 19h. Le bus de ramassage va passer pour charger les derniers cyclos. Photo Le DL/S.P.

Artus Jaladeau, dossard 787, vainqueur de l'Etape du Tour 2023, remporte l'épreuve en 4h32'43 secondes. Photo Le DL/S.F.

Le premier à franchir la ligne d'arrivée est Artus Jaladeau, dossard 787,il remporte l'épreuve en 4h32'43 secondes. Photo Le DL/S.F.

Les bénévoles préparent les 15 000 médailles décernées à tous les participants de l'épreuve. "On sait qu'il y en aura au moins 1000 qui ne termineront pas la course donc normalement on a de la marge." Photo Le DL/S.F.

Une foule de coureurs est réunie devant le point de ravitaillement du Col du Feu. Photo Le DL/G.Y.

Tout est prêt pour accueillir les premiers coureurs au Col de la Ramaz. Photo Le DL/OT

Au col de la Ramaz, les bénévoles sont sur le pont en attendant avec impatience les premiers coureurs pour un ravitaillement. Photos Le DL/OT

De plus en plus de coureurs arrivent au niveau du Col du Feu. Ici au premier plan, monsieur Patrice Josephine dossard numéro 429. Photo Le DL/G.Y.

Un peloton de coureurs fait son arrivée au Col du Feu. Ici Pait Peri, dossard numéro 2211, et Sébastin Serck, dossard numéro 2848. Photo Le DL/G.Y.

Un peloton de coureurs fait son arrivée au Col du Feu. Photo Le DL/G.Y.

A Annemasse on remballe. Les 300 bénévoles qui ont géré le départ vont pouvoir aller prendre leur petit-déjeuner. Photo Le DL/C.M

Le passage du premier coureur au col du Feu, Artus Jaladeau, dossard numéro 787.  Photo Le DL/Greg Yetchmeniza

Alors que les premiers coureurs sont déjà dans l'ascension du Col du Feu, les suivants traversent par grappes le village d'Orcier, au km 52. Photo Le DL/Sylvain Falcoz

Les derniers sas au bout de l'avenue du maréchal Leclerc, dans Annemasse, attendent de prendre le départ entre 8 h 30 et 9 h pour le dernier groupe. Photo Le DL/Catherine Mellier

Col du Feu, les bénévoles préparent le point de ravitaillement pour les 16 000 participants. Photo Le DL/Greg Yetchmeniza

Photo Le DL/Greg Yetchmeniza

Les départs s'enchaînent un sas de 1000 coureurs toutes les 7 minutes. Photo Le DL/Sabine Pellisson

Antoine Deneriaz un champion olympique au départ. Objectif: finir et faire bien. Photo Le DL/Sabine Pellisson

Briefing des bénévoles. Photo Le DL/Greg Yetchmeniza

L'Étape du Tour c'est parti ! Photo Le DL/Sabine Pellisson

Col du Feu, 6h30 derniers préparatifs avant le passage des coureurs attendus vers 8h45 pour les premiers. Photo Le DL/Greg Yetchmeniza

Les 15 féminines de l'équipe Hutchinson prête sas 5. Objectifs différents mais la volonté unanime de franchir la ligne à Morzine. Photo Le DL/Sabine Pellisson

Les premiers coureurs arrivent pour rejoindre leur 16 sas respectifs. 16 000 coureurs au départ. Photo Le DL/Sabine Pellisson

Artus Jaladeau remporte l'épreuve en en 4h32'43

C'est le Français, Artus Jaladeau, dossard 787, qui remporte cette Etape du Tour entre Annemasse et Morzine. Il a bouclé les 152 km en 4h32'43. « Gagner l’Étape du Tour pour ma toute première participation, c’est un très bel accomplissement, ça peut être une vraie passerelle pour atteindre mon ambition de signer un contrat chez les professionnels. J’avais de très bonnes sensations aujourd’hui, j’ai réussi à ne pas exploser à cause de la chaleur. C’est une journée importante pour moi. »

Étape du Tour entre Annemasse et Morzine : un président de Ligue 1 franchit la ligne d'arrivée en moins de dix heures !

Etape du tour annemasse-morzine : la folie au ravito du col du feu comme si vous y étiez.

Ce dimanche 9 juillet, les 16 000 participants à l’Etape du Tour s’élancent entre 7 h et 9 h avenue de l’Europe à Annemasse. La course cyclosportive emblématique les amènera jusqu’à Morzine, après un parcours très costaud de 152 km, 4200 m de dénivelé et cinq cols. On vous fait vivre en images cette grande journée sportive et festive.

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"Highway to hell" au départ à Annemasse

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Au sommaire du dossier

I rode L'Etape du Tour. Here are 8 things I've learned...

Editor-in-Chief Rob was part of Team Alpecin at L'Etape du Tour as 13,000 riders tackled the same route as the pros will on Stage 10 of the Tour de France.

Rob Spedding

You know that you've had a good day on the bike – or that a bad day is about to come to a blessed end – when you find yourself with a huge smile on your face, letting out some kind of guttural 'Yeeeeehaaa!' scream as you head stupidly fast into a hairpin bend… Well, I do anyway.

So, as I careered, probably ever-so-slightly-out-of-control, towards the finish line of this year's Etape du Tour in the Alpine ski resort of Le Grand-Bornand I had to decide – good day or bad day? Well, it was a bit of both really…

The ride replicated what will be Stage 10 of this year's Tour de France . A full-on 158.5km between Annecy and Le Grand-Bornard with over 4000m of climbing. It took in three 1st category climbs – the Col de la Croix Fry, Col de Romme and Col de la Colombiere – plus the HC Plateau Glieres and it was a scorchingly hot day. Easy!

Having a team around you is brilliant!

I was riding L'Etape as part of Team Alpecin. If you're a regular mag reader you'll know that readers Murray Cox, Laura Cook and Les Pegler were selected to get the pro treatment as part of a multinational team run by the German shampoo purveyors . I was also lucky enough to be part of the team and it was a brilliant experience. After our first team meeting in Bielefeld, Germany and a training camp in Italy, we'd kept in touch using WhatsApp and, of course, seen how much (or how little) each of us had been riding on Strava.

At our base in La Clusaz it was like hooking up with old friends – we all had a shared goal, and similar hopes and fears. Out on the road, there was fantastic camaraderie and seeing another Alpecin jersey up the road was a great spur for some extra effort! (The only downer was when one of our team crashed on a final training ride which forced her to miss the Etape. Get well soon Maddy!)

Following a training plan works. Even when it's written in German!

Each member of Team Alpecin was provided with a personal training plan by coach Florian Geyer from RadLabor . It was pretty daunting to be presented with what looked like three months of hell – and that was just using Google Translate to work out what he was telling us to do! That said, fitting in as a many of Flo's sessions as was humanly possible around work and life made a big, big difference to all of us. It's fair to say that we wouldn't have found L'Etape half as 'enjoyable' if it wasn't for Flo!

Riding to Watts could be the answer.

Look at those numbers! Yeah, that's right – low and slow! This shaky cam shot shows my progress up the 1st category Col de Romme, the third major climb of the day after around 75-miles of riding. Florian had given all of us wattage targets for the big climbs. Helpfully he'd set three targets for each climb – good day, normal day, bad day. I ran through all three of those days, usually within a few minutes of each other! It'd be fair to say that, if you're someone who likes to attack each climb as if it's your last, riding to a conservative power output feels slow. Especially at the bottom as others shoot off ahead. But…get that target right and by the middle of the ascent you'll be picking off those fast starters in relative comfort. Just try to not be too Froomey – make sure that you enjoy the scenery and not just the view of your Wahoo head unit!

Nancy-sur-Cluses is my favourite village. Ever.

No, not because I could take a picture of semi-naked Frenchman dousing himself in water (although that's a plus point in any village, right?). I love Nancy-sur-Cluses because, like the French fella pictured I could also soak myself like a bad Athena poster. Nancy is on the Col de Romme and by the time I started climbing I was hot, so very hot. Temperatures were in the 30s, there was little shade to speak of and next to no cooling breeze. As I climbed I started to fantasise about buckets, waterfalls, even spectators chucking urine at me. Anything to cool me down. As if by magic, a chap was spraying riders with a hose, and I managed to get a sprinkling. It wasn't enough, so you can imagine my delight when we hit Nancy and there was a village water pump dispensing cool, clear, drinkable water. I filled my bottles, poured water over my head and soaked my cap. Onwards and upwards…

…Every ride has its low point.

Even if you ride sensibly, eat and drink when you should and have a brilliant bike – in our case a SRAM Etap equipped Canyon Endurace CF SLX – a ride of the magnitude of L'Etape will bite you at some point. For me it was 1km from the top of the Col Romme. As I had been following my wattage targets I was feeling pretty, well, okay. But that heat was getting to me and, despite, my water-cooler moment, I started to boil over. I'd noticed more and more riders slowing, stopping and walking as we neared the top of this five-mile-plus, 8% average climb. And then I joined them! At first I thought I had a puncture because the bike suddenly felt really, really heavy. Then the steering started to feel like I had treacle in the headset. And then I just stopped. I took a moment to compose myself and then made the decision to just keep going. On foot – that's my hand pushing the bike along in the picture. For a couple of minutes I was worried that I'd blown up and that I was going to have to take the broomwagon. (Just as I did at the Marmotte in 2012.) However, after a stern word with myself, I saddled up, crested the summit and went on to tackle the Col de Colombiere…

Motivational signs suck.

Okay, maybe I'm just being grumpy but I hate them! Especially this one... It was placed at the bottom of the HC Plateau Glieres climb and in a case of bad timing this was at exactly the point I got cramp in my legs and shipped my chain…

Gravel is so hot right now…

Had they been minded to Tour organisers ASO probably could have laid asphalt on the gravel track that takes riders over the top of the Plateau Glieres. Hats off to them for keeping this short bit of rough in the race. As far as I could see most Etape riders handled it easily, but at race pace this sketchy surface could lead to some potentially race shaping drama. If a GC contender crashes or punctures here – just before a decent and a fast 20-mile or so transition to the Col de Romme – it'll be very interesting!

Germans really can do organisation!

It would be remiss of me not to mention the behind-the-scenes team who've made the Team Alpecin experience run brilliantly. For the members of the team it really has made for a 'Pro-lite' experience. We've had a ton of support in the build-up and at the Etape itself we had mechanics, massages, bikes transferred to the start and ready and waiting for us, meals prepared by chefs flown in from Germany and as much expert advice as we needed. As a final flourish each rider was presented with an exclusive Alpecin yellow jersey as a souvenir.

Oh, and we even had a former pro – in the form of our DS Jörg Ludewig – clean up after us!

Want proof that Rob rode the Etape? Here's his Strava evidence!

Image of Rob on Col de la Colombiere: Bengt Stiller

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L’Étape du Tour, comment bien l’aborder ?

Par Remy Deutsch le 4 juillet 2018

Il ne vous reste que quelques jours voire quelques heures avant l’échéance. La gros de la préparation est terminé mais vous pouvez encore optimiser votre approche de l’évènement sans toutefois bouleverser votre plan initial. Dans cet article nous vous délivrons les derniers conseils pour être performant le jour J et gérer efficacement l’EDT 2018.

Faites ce que vous avez l’habitude de faire

Premier conseil, ne testez rien de nouveau le jour de l’épreuve. Que ce soit au niveau diététique ou matériel, appuyez vous sur ce que vous connaissez déjà.

Par exemple ne découvrez pas votre boisson de l’effort le 08 juillet.

Ou encore ne modifiez pas votre position en dernière minute. Si vous le faites vous risquez de perdre gros.

Les éventuels  réglages

Si des corrections de dernières minutes doivent être apportées, vous devez les expérimenter au plus tard deux jours avant la compétition. Par exemple si vous changez votre cassette pour avoir d’autres choix de braquets, il est important pour vous d’essayer votre vélo dans les conditions de la course au moins 48h avant votre départ. Cela permet d’avoir le temps de se retourner si jamais quelque chose ne fonctionne pas bien… et de s’éviter un stress qui pourrait nuire à votre performance.

Les routines de performance : organisez-vous !

Justement, pour diminuer le stress et optimiser votre approche de l’évènement penser à élaborer votre timing d’avant course. Concrètement nous vous invitons à vous créer un « agenda » pour organiser votre temps le jour de l’objectif et la veille. Cela ne coûte pas grand-chose et marche très bien !

Ci-dessous un exemple de routine de performance en partant de l’objectif :

07h – heure de départ

06h45 – heure de fermeture du SAS

06h15 – heure conseillée pour entrer dans le SAS

06h – fin de l’échauffement et départ pour le SAS

5h45 – début de l’échauffement

5h15 – arrivée au parking (adresse du parking) et préparation du vélo et des affaires (penser aux ravitaillements et aux bidons)

04h50 – départ de l’hôtel (20min de route)

04h – réveil, petit déjeuner (contenu du petit déjeuner), prendre sac et vélo

22h, 22h30 – couché

19h – repas (contenu du repas)

18h – arrivée à l’hôtel

15h – départ de la maison (3h de route pour aller jusqu’à l’hôtel)

13h – sieste

12h – repas

11h – préparer sac civil et sac de course pour le lendemain, mettre le vélo dans la voiture

09h – 1h30 vélo, décontraction

08h – réveil

Bien sûr, chacun a des besoins différents et c’est pourquoi ce travail doit être individualisé.

Parcours et gestion de l’effort

Enfin, il est important que vous anticipiez votre gestion de l’effort tout au long de l’épreuve. Ce facteur là sera absolument décisif dans votre performance !

Pour la plupart d’entre vous vous serez proches des 7h de vélo sur l’ensemble de la journée. Avec les 4000m de dénivelé positif la priorité sera donc d’être économique pour rester efficace sur les 169 kilomètres.

Comment gérer les montées  : La chose la plus importante à faire est de ne pas dépasser son seuil anaérobie avant le final. Si vous fonctionnez au cardio, ne dépassez pas 85-90% de votre FCmax. Si vous utilisez la puissance, ne dépassez pas 75% de votre PMA. Bien sûr, si jamais vous devez aller au-delà de ces limites sur quelques minutes pour rester au contact d’un groupe dans lequel vous vous sentez à l’aise, ne vous en privez pas non plus. Et il faut aussi noter que ces conseils ne concernent pas ceux qui jouent les premières places de l’épreuve et dont la gestion va beaucoup dépendre des faits de course.

Comment gérer les descentes   : Là non plus ne vous mettez pas en surrégime ! Il est important que vous descendiez en confiance et sans dépenser trop d’énergie. Ces moments là doivent vous permettre de récupérer physiquement. Et si vous perdez le contact de votre groupe vous en retrouverez un autre à l’arrière et il y a de fortes chances que cela ne pénalise pas votre temps au final.

Comment gérer le plat   : Dans les plaines restez toujours avec votre groupe. Passez vos relais mais sans trop en faire (conservez la vitesse moyenne du groupe). Et si vous vous sentez trop à l’ouvrage réduisez votre temps passé à prendre du vent. Enfin, pensez à bien récupérer dans les roues.

Comment gérer le ravitaillement : L’Etape du Tour est une épreuve de fond. S’alimenter et s’hydrater régulièrement est donc fondamental. Surtout ne négligez pas cet aspect-là. Dans les montées et sur le plat vous devez penser à cela sous peine de vous retrouver à l’arrêt dans le final. Concrètement vous devez boire entre 1 et 2 bidons de 500ml par heure, manger solide ou semi solide toutes les 30min – 1h et éviter d’ingérer une trop grande quantité de sucre rapide d’un seul coup sauf à l’approche de la ligne ou si vous vous retrouvez en fringale. Nous n’irons pas plus loin dans le plan nutritionnel pour cet article car, nous l’avons déjà dit, les grandes lignes de votre stratégie doivent déjà être décidées après avoir été testées sur le terrain en amont.

Pour réussir vos dernières heures avant l’Etape du Tour il vous faut :

-Vous fier à ce que vous connaissez et ne pas tester de nouveautés le jour J

-Organiser votre planning pour diminuer le stress et optimiser votre approche de l’évènement (les routines de performance)

-Mettre en place une stratégie efficace de gestion de l’effort (et notionnelle)

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Le Bien Public, en tant que responsable de traitement, recueille dans ce formulaire des informations qui sont enregistrées dans un fichier informatisé par son Service Relations Clients, la finalité étant d’assurer la création et la gestion de votre compte, ainsi que des abonnements et autres services souscrits. Si vous y avez consenti, ces données peuvent également être utilisées pour l’envoi de newsletters et/ou d’offres promotionnelles par Le Bien Public, les sociétés qui lui sont affiliées et/ou ses partenaires commerciaux. Vous pouvez exercer en permanence vos droits d’accès, rectification, effacement, limitation, opposition, retirer votre consentement et/ou pour toute question relative au traitement de vos données à caractère personnel en contactant [email protected] ou consulter les liens suivants : Protection des données , CGU du site et Contact . Le Délégué à la Protection des Données personnelles ( [email protected] ) est en copie de toute demande relative à vos informations personnelles.

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• Arrosage de la route, ravitaillement... l'organisation du Tour de France fait face à la canicule
• 🚴 Tour de France 2024

Tour de France Arrosage de la route, ravitaillement... l'organisation du Tour de France fait face à la canicule

A l'annonce des 40 degrés qui devaient sévir lors de la 15e étape, l'organisation du Tour de France a sorti l'artillerie lourde pour tenter de résister à la canicule et « protéger la santé des coureurs ».

 Ravitaillement dès le départ et jusqu'à 10 km de l'arrivée

Première décision sur cette 15 étape, le ravitaillement est désormais possible dès le kilomètre 0 et jusqu'à 10 km de l'arrivée. En général, le ravitaillement n'est possible qu'après 30 km de course et à 20 km de l'arrivée, sur les épreuves de plat.

Des bidons distribués aux spectateurs

Il n'y a pas que les rotations de bidon pour les coureurs qui ont été augmentées. L'organisation a également pensé aux supporters sur le bord de la route qui pourront également être ravitaillés. « La remise de bidons aux spectateurs sera autorisée pendant toute l’étape », le tout « en respectant les conditions de sécurité pour le public et les coureurs » ont précisé les organisateurs. De quoi permettre aux fervents fans de cyclisme d'endurer l'attente avant de voir passer les coureurs.

Le délai d'élimination allongé

en cas de problème, "le délai d’élimination a été fixé à 20%, quelle que soit la moyenne de l’étape". Cela signifie que les coureurs auront plus de temps pour franchir la ligne d'arrivée (20% de plus que le temps du vainqueur de l'étape).

10 000 litres d'eau pour arroser la route

Avant le passage des coureurs sur les routes, l'organisation va arroser le bitume afin de faire baisser la température et éviter qu'il ne fonde. Ça peut monter jusqu'à parfois les 70 degrés au sol (un record), c'est pourquoi l'organisation a prévu un stock de 10 000 litres d'eau afin de refroidir l'asphalte.

Une balayeuse suit le camion citerne qui déverse l'eau avant qu'une deuxième couche (2 000 litres d'eau), ne vienne s'ajouter pour éviter que le bitume ne devienne glissant. L'organisation pourrait aussi compter sur les pompiers de la région pour refroidir les coureurs du peloton et faire baisser leurs températures corporelles.

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Face aux critiques environnementales, notamment sur les réseaux sociaux devant les vidéos de la voiture citerne arrosant la route, André Bancala, coordinateur des départements de France, a tenu à préciser la quantité d'eau utilisée. Il assure que les 10 000 litres d'eau ne sont pas utilisés chaque jour.

« On comprend la polémique, elle est légitime si on regarde ce chiffre de 10 000 litres d’eau alors même qu’il y a des forêts qui brûlent et des endroits où il fait très chaud. Mais nous on le fait pour la sécurité de la course. Si on ne faisait rien pour la sécurité, on n’utiliserait pas d’eau, pas de barrières… C’est normal d’avoir une polémique dans la mesure où le sujet n’a pas été creusé. On n’utilise pas 10 000 litres », a-t-il déclaré sur RMC Sport.

« La capacité de la citerne qu’on embarque, c’est 2 000 litres et c’est largement suffisant. A la fin de l’étape, tout le monde peut venir constater qu’il en restera largement assez en cuve pour pouvoir l’utiliser demain, après-demain… et s’il n’y en a pas besoin, elle ira jusqu’à Paris. On arrose que les endroits où il y a besoin d’arroser. On n’arrosera pas 200 kilomètres d’étape », a précisé le « Monsieur route » du Tour.

On est sur des quantités raisonnables

En effet, seules certaines portions de route sont arrosées, comme des virages serrés ou des courbes en descente. « Ça n’aurait pas de sens et ce serait inefficace. Il faut jauger au mieux le volume d’eau, le timing… Là on va utiliser une demi-citerne, entre 300 et 450 litres d’eau. Pour comparer, une ancienne chasse d’eau c’est 15 litres. On est sur des quantités raisonnables. Quand on peut économiser, on le fait. L’objectif c’est d’économiser au maximum les ressources et assurer la sécurité des coureurs », a estimé André Bacala.

Même son de cloche du côté de la présidente du conseil régional d'Occitanie, Carole Delga, qui veut éviter toute polémique. « Je pense que de gros efforts ont été faits en matière environnementale. Regardez la question du recyclage des déchets, la limitation des objets publicitaires… Je rappelle que cette eau qui est mise sur l’asphalte est récupérée (l'eau utilisée est de l'eau recyclée). Là nous avons des circonstances exceptionnelles en termes de canicule. Il faut arrêter d’être toujours dans le côté négatif et plutôt rappeler que le Tour de France est un événement majeur pour le plaisir des Français, pour l’économie et pour la cohésion républicaine », a-t-elle déclaré.

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