Étape du Tour replica

What it is

The Étape du Tour is an annual one-day sportive on a queen mountain stage of the current year's Tour de France route, one or two weeks before the pros race it. The roads are fully closed to motor traffic for the entire day. Distance is typically 150 to 175 km with 3500 to 5000 m of climbing.

Terrain

Because the route changes every year, terrain varies - but the formula is consistent: an iconic Tour de France queen stage with at least two HC climbs. Recent editions have included Albertville to Val Thorens (2019), Méribel to Courchevel (2023), and Nice to Col de la Couillole (2024). The stage often ends at a ski station.

History

The Étape was first run in 1993 between Tarbes and Pau, with about 1,500 riders. It now draws roughly 16,000 starters every year, with riders coming from over 90 countries. It is considered the most authentic way for an amateur to feel a Tour de France stage - closed roads, full crowd support, and the same suffering.

Tips

Train for the specific climbs on the year's route. Most editions feature at least one HC summit finish. Pace conservatively in the opening 50 km - the temptation to ride with a fast group early in the day costs many participants their legs at the final climb. Heat is a major factor in late July; ride pre-cooled and drink before you are thirsty.

Best time

The event runs in mid-July. Registration opens the preceding autumn and fills quickly through the official ASO portal or tour operators offering combined travel packages.