Are you willing to take on the 152 km of the 2023 Etape du Tour next 9th July? Taking part in L'Etape du Tour is seen as a dream for a lot of cyclists: riding on the same roads as the Tour de France pros, a few days before them, what a thril!!
But with the success of the event, registering for it can be seen as a challenge as well, especially for international riders. Here are a few tips so you don't miss your chance to ride this beautiful race!
The technical aspect: How to register
Obviously, if you don't have a bib for L'Etape du Tour, you won't be able to take part in the race. First of all, make sure you read this article on L'Etape du Tour website!
To get a bib, there are 4 possibilities:
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Through Time to, our official registration platform
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Through a Tour operator
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Through a charity
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Through our special program: L'Etape Reward, if you took part in an event of L'Etape series in 2022
This year, the registrations open at 4:00pm CET on November 2!
Then, the allocation of bibs is done in 4 steps in a very specific order:
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Your previous ranking on L'Etape du Tour 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017
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Your sporting objective on L'Étape du Tour de France 2022.
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If you participated in a reference cyclosportive, we will also take this data into consideration for your final allocation
L'Etape Reward
L'Étape by Tour de France has set up L'Etape Reward, a program that allows each rider who has registered for a long distance race during a L'Etape event in 2022 to be rewarded with a registration period priority.
If you have done so, the event organizer sends you an email the next day of the Tour de France presentation where you can find a form to register before everyone else!
The idea behind this program is bring more international riders to L'Etape du Tour, by making it easier to register for this event.
Making the most out of this experience
Additional services are offered to make your L'Étape du Tour de France experience even better. Among these services, you will find: goodies (bottle, watch, posters), clothing (Santini jersey and shorts) but also tips for the preparation and organization of D-Day.
There are 2 possibilities to subscribe to these options on time to: At step 2 in the registration form for the event (for a person still not registered), or at any time on your dashboard (for a registered person).
Booking your accomodation
Booking accommodation in the region is not to be overlooked. Do not wait to long before doing it! Hotels are often fully booked not long after the opening of registrations, so be sure you take time to do it as soon as you get your bib.
You can get helpful tips from the community thanks to our facebook group "Logistics for L'Etape du Tour".
If your place of stay happens to be a bit far from the start/finish area, don't forget that there are shuttle buses available. They can be booked on your time to dashboard.
Physical preparation
You've managed to register? Great! Now don't forget that this event is a really challenging one! On July 9th, you'll be facing 152km with 4100m of elevation between Annemasse and Morzine.
Plan your training accordingly and do not wait until the 1st June to get on your bike if you want to enjoy the race.
To live the L'Étape du Tour de France experience to the fullest and finish off your preparation in style, the organization offers a warm-up during a reconnaissance before the race, accompanied and advised by professional coaches! The unique opportunity for an official recce of the 1st climb.
Don’t forget your medical certificate! Participation in a timed sportive requires the provision of a medical certificate (or a copy). The medical certificate must be posted on time and validated by the organization before L'Etape du Tour de France to collect your bib.
Final tips: be organized and be prepared
Living a mountain stage of the most prestigious cycling race in the world on the wake of the professional riders of the Tour de France requires anticipation to obtain your bib. But everything is possible by following our 5 tips to get a spot for L’Etape du Tour! Entering the legend of L'Étape by riding the same route as the professionals is a unique experience, climbing mythical passes through roads closed to traffic.
