L'Étape du Tour

L'Étape du Tour (French for 'stage of the Tour') is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage. First held in 1993, and now organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation, ASO (in conjunction with "Vélo Magazine"), it takes place each July, normally on a Tour rest day.

L'Étape du Tour is normally held over mountain roads in either the Pyrenees or French Alps, up climbs such as the Col du Galibier, Col d'Aubisque, Mont Ventoux or the Col du Tourmalet. Around 8,500 riders participate - many travelling from other countries in order to compete - and the event takes place on roads closed by the police to other traffic, with refreshment stops and medical support provided along the route.

In 2008, the 167 km stage 10 from Pau to Hautacam, including a passage over the 2114 m./6935 ft. Col du Tourmalet was selected for L'Étape du Tour with Laurent Four coming home in the fastest time of 5 hours 38 minutes. [cite news | first=| last=| author= | url=http://www.letapedutour.com/2008/ETDT/presentation/us/communiques.htm | title=The 2008 Mondovelo Etape Du Tour – 16th Edition: Pau / Hautacam | publisher=www.letapedutour.com| date=2008-07-06 | accessdate=2008-07-07]

ee also

*Challenge riding
*Cyclosportive

References

External links

* [http://www.aso.fr/2005/cyclisme/us/ccs1.html ASO l'Étape du Tour site]
* [http://www.letapedutour.com/ Velo Magazine Étape du Tour site]
*Cyclefilm - [http://www.cyclefilm.com/letapedutour.html website] L'Etape Analysis & Reconnaissance
* [http://www.atomicecho.com/etape/index.shtml atomicecho.com/etape] - a blog about training for and riding the Etape du Tour
* [http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=300 Very detailed article on 2007 Étape]
* [http://www.getkidsgoing.com/letape_du_tour.htm/ L'Etape du Tour for Charity] The charity which helps raise funds for children and young adults to enter the paralympics