Etape du Tour Acte II Weekend

The Aubisque. The Soulour. The Tourmalet. The Aspin. The Peyresourde. Five names that pretty much guarantee a hard day at the office. The Tourmalet, at 2,115m, is the king of them all, it's climbed from the longer side on this route meaning a 1,650m vertical ascent from Adast. After that and the 1,709m Aubisque, the Aspin will seem like a walk in the park writes Road.cc.

Then it's just the steep and tricky Peyresourde before you can barrel down into Bagneres for a well earned cuppa. At 197km it's a long mountain stage too, and there's very little in the way of flat valley sections. If you're not going up, the you're going down.

At La Fuga we're determined to give you th e best Etape experience in 2012. We've listened to your feedback and for next year we'll be limiting each of our Etape groups to 15 people, each with a dedicated team of staff to give you the best personal service and support. Each group will be based separately and we have a range of accommodation to suit your budget.

We'd like you to be aware that despite our best organisation, the Etape is always a busy weekend with a lot of travelling required to collect bib numbers the day before and travelling to and from the race start and finish. If you would like a more relaxed weekend but still with a big challenge we recommend the La Ventoux Sportive or Granfondo Giordana.

HOSTELLERIE DES SEPT MOLLES

Enjoying a beautiful location on the border between the Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrenees, Hostellerie des 7 Molles is a charming heritage boutique hotel in Sauveterre de Comminges. Included in the exclusive Chateaux and Hotel Collection, the Sept Molles will offer us a warm welcome for the Etape Weekend. The hotel is one hour from the start in Pau and 40 minutes from the finish in Luchon.

Visit the hotel website

HOTEL CONTINENTAL, PAU

Located within a stone's throw of the start, the 3* Hotel Continental is perfect if you want more time in bed on race day. The central location is handy for the race village and the amenities of central Pau.

What’s Included?

Three nights half board accommodation
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel and restaurants
Airport transfer and travel to and from race
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary Energy Drink and Bars
La Fuga Pro Support on the course
Cyclefilm Etape du Tour Reconnaissance DVD
La Fuga Welcome Pack

What’s Not?

Flights
Lunchtime meals
Travel Insurance
Drinks with evening meals
Incidental Expenses
Tips and gratuities
Race registration*

* Please note - our package prices do not include race entry. We encourage you to obtain your entry via the Etape du Tour website. Entries go on sale on 17 November. Entries are cheaper through this route than booking through us. If you are unable to obtain an entry via this route we can still provide guaranteed entries for an additional fee. We are awaiting for costs to be confirmed by Etape organisers. Please remember to inform us if you need an entry from us, otherwise we will assume you've managed to get an entry via the official website.

The Knowledge

• Event: Etape du Tour Acte II - Pyrenees
• Airport pickup: Please contact us before booking
• Hotel Continental Pau (single occupancy): £1350
• Hotel Continental Pau (double occupancy): £1195
• Hostellerie des 7 Molles (single occupancy): £1345
• Hostellerie des 7 Molles (double occupancy): £1195
• Partner prices: Please contact us

Etape du Tour Acte II Weekend

Thursday

Arrival at designated airport (we will give details of flight transfer times at time of booking. We can't guarantee a timely pickup from every flight so please check before booking flights).  Transfer by minibus to our base for the weekend. Your bike will be carefully assembled. Dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel.

Friday

Your bike will be unpacked and ready to go. We will enjoy a gentle ride in the morning . The aim is to spin the legs and loosen things up for the challenge tomorrow. Lunch will be had at a cafe en route. In the afternoon we will visit the race village, pick up race numbers and sample the pre-race atmosphere. Our visit will be brief to allow sufficient rest back at the hotel. Your bike will receive a final check over from one of our members of staff and your race number fitted.

Saturday

The Big Day! Having slept in comfort and style, the hotel will serve a breakfast suitable for the day's activities with generous helpings of pasta. We will drive to the race start and arrive with enough time to get you a good position in your designated pen. Your guide will be on hand to collect warm clothing and pass on last minute encouragement.

The La Fuga Pro Support stations will be en-route to stock you up with the best energy and motivation to complete the course.

After a tough (and hopefully enjoyable) race, we'll meet you at the finish with some cold drinks and congratulations. After relaxing and exchanging stories we'll make the journey back to the hotel for a well earned dinner.

Sunday

Your bike will be packed ready for the flight home. With any luck you'll be returning home as a successful finisher of the 2012 Etape du Tour!

Etape du Tour Acte II Weekend