Etape du Tour
Riding Days
4
Number of Nights
3
Total Distance
138km
Total Climbing
4,400 metres
Difficulty
4/5
At a Glance
Ask anybody in the world to name a bike race, and you will get the overwhelming response: the Tour de France. Now, ask them to think of sportive, and you will get a similarly overwhelming answer: L’Etape du Tour. This is the big one, the one everybody wants to be able to write on the first line of their cycling CV.
The Etape du Tour is one of the most prestigious sportives in the world. Each year it follows the an iconic stage of that year’s Tour de France, taking in the same iconic roads and high mountain climbs that the professionals race over.
For 2024 the organisers have chosen a challenging route based in the Alpes Maritimes area of Southern France starting in the beautiful city of Nice. The route packs in four mountains taking you away from the coast and into the heart of the Mercantour National Park. You'll tackle the Col de Braus, a beautiful road that follows tight hairpins as is climbs higher. The Col de Turini is next on the list, a long steady climb, famous for featuring in the Monte Carlo Rally each year. The final two climbs are Col de la Colmiane and the final climb to the Col de Couillole, a tough one to finish.
The Etape du Tour missed it's Nice edition due to the COVID crisis in 2000, so don't miss this opportunity take part in an Etape offering a spectacular course amidst beautiful scenery of the Côte d'Azur and the Mercantour National Park of the Alpes Martitimes.
Tour Highlights
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Asphalt
Ask anybody in the world to name a bike race and you will get the overwhelming response: the Tour de France. Now, ask them to think of sportive and you will get a similarly overwhelming answer: L’Etape du Tour. This is the big one, the one everybody wants to be able to write on the first line of their cycling CV
Book Tour
€925.00 – €2,645.00
Overview
Etape du Tour - The region and challenges
The Etape du Tour is one of the most prestigious sportives in the world. Each year it follows the a stage of that year’s Tour de France, taking in the same iconic roads and high mountain climbs that the professionals race over.
The 32nd edition of the “Étape du Tour de France” will take place on July 7th 2024, on the same route as stage 20 of the Tour de France, between Nice and Col de la Couilloule, 138 km with more than 4,400 metres of accumulated positive elevation gain, including the climbs of col de Braus, col de Turini, col de la Colmiane, & col de la Couilloule.
Featured climbs:
- Col de Braus: 10km / 6.6%
- Col de Turini: 20.7km / 5.7%
- Col de la Colmiane: 7.5km / 7.1%
- Col de la Couilloule: 15.7km / 7.1%
Challenges of the Etape du Tour 2024
The Etape du Tour 2024 will be a challenging logistical challenge for all involved. With almost zero accommodation close to the finish line at Col de la Couilloule, the organisers are expecting everything to travel back to Nice after they finish their race. This will obviously be quite a logistical challenge.
We at La Fuga have already planned this to make sure that you have the smoothest possible post ride experience. We intend to have any shuttles returning to Nice so once you cross the finish line you can take some time to sit down and relax in our post race gazebo and fuel up with some food or cool down with some cold drinks and relax and chat to other rides about the best or most challenging bits of the route. At regular intervals we will take a shuttle back to Nice to your accommodation. The shuttle time is expected to be 1hr 30 minutes for the 80km back to Nice.
Climate
Gearing
Details
What's Included
- Three nights accommodation
- All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel/local restaurants*
- Airport transfers
- Transfer between start/finish line and hotels
- Expert professional mechanic to build your bike and make sure it's working smoothly throughout the weekend
- Guided warm up rides
- Expert race briefing - including important information on the course and how to ride it
- Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride (non-race day)
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- La Fuga Pro Support on the course - 2 dedicated feed stations and a finish tent
- La Fuga welcome pack
*Meals are included up to a specific budget after which a supplement will be applied
What's not Included
- Entry into Etape du Tour - this is available at €270 per entry
- Flights
- Lunchtime meals
- Travel insurance
- All drinks
- Incidental expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Bike Rental option available during the checkout
Itinerary
You will be met at the airport by our La Fuga guides who will transfer you to the hotel. Nice airport is very close to the city centre, so transfer times are dependant on traffic conditions and can be around 10-20 minutes depending on the hotel options that you choose.
Once you’re at the hotel you can get yourself settled into your room, whilst we your La Fuga mechanic will put your bike together and make sure that it is in top condition for the weekend ahead. There will be an opportunity to enjoy taking in the Col d’Eze along the coast with a stop for a coffee to take in this beautiful setting.
You’ll dine in a local restaurant where your La Fuga tour manager will brief you on the logistics of the weekend.
You’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Today you will be a gentle ride in the morning. The aim is to spin the legs and loosen things up for tomorrow’s challenge. A quick coffee and cake stop in the village of La Turbie before heading back along the coast to the race village. You’ll be able wonder around the race village and, pick up race numbers and sample the pre-race atmosphere. You can then head back to the hotel at your leisure for an enjoyable lunch. Your bike will receive a final check over from our mechanic and your race number will be fitted.
Your Tour Manager will give an extensive race briefing, including all the information you need on the course and how to tackle the event.
An early dinner will allow you to relax in your own way or get an early night in preparation for the event.
The Big Day! Having had a good night’s sleep, the hotel will serve a breakfast suitable for the day’s activities with generous helpings. The start line is not far away in Place Messina, meaning that depending on your start time you can leave in plenty of time to line up for your allocated grid.
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 La Fuga finish tent with some cold drinks and congratulations. After relaxing and exchanging stories, you can rest in the shuttle back to Nice and to your hotel. Due to the logistics of the event we will run regular shuttles back to Nice to get you back as quickly as possible.
A celebratory dinner will be taken to enjoy and saviour with your fellow riders an excellent ride and outstanding achievement.
One last breakfast on the terrace overlooking enjoy the sea or a stroll into the Old Town to enjoy vibe of Nice or amble along the promenade des Anglais to take a cold drink. Your La Fuga mechanic will have packed your bike ready for the flight home so you can just enjoy the last few hours in France.
Your journey back to the airport will be provided by La Fuga, a short 10-15 minute journey from your hotel.
Accommodation
The Radisson Blu Nice located on the Promedade des Anglais offers the perfect position to be able to enjoy the Etape du Tour weekend in Nice. The hotels front line access to the Promenade and a roof top pool mean that you can enjoy the tranquillity of the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean as you relax ahead of the event of the weekend. Take in a cool drink and enjoy the views. The hotel also boasts a sauna, a hammam, a fitness center, and a Radisson Blu-operated beach named Régence Plage.
A beautiful, recently renovated Hotel in a quiet street of the city but close to the Nice Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais. All 95 rooms of this impressive building have been renovated to a high standard providing modern facilities including air conditioning.
Hotel Le Saint Paul is a perfect base for the weekend of the Etape du Tour in Nice. The hotel occupies a privileged position on the sea front but away from the hustle and bustle of the Promenade des Anglais, only a few minutes walk from the beautiful port of Nice and the Old Town.
Many of the hotels rooms have views directly out to sea, and you can eat breakfast or dine at the hotels restaurant relaxing with the calm waters of the Mediterranean shimmering below you.
Hotel Le Saint Paul offers a relaxed vibe with welcoming staff ready to help you out with any request.