L’ETAPE DU TOUR

Cycling coach Ben Wilson has already been out to recce the testing 2023 route of Europe’s greatest amateur event

ETAPE DU TOUR 2023 STATS Location Annemasse, France Date 9 July 2023 Distance 152km Price See tour operators

One of the original mass participation sportives, L’Etape du Tour – a standard bearer as far as organisation and sporting challenge goes – will run for the 31st time next summer. Mimicking a stage of the Tour de France, this year it’s earmarked stage 14 of the great race, from Annemasse to Morzine.

Its age and association are two of the reasons for its status as a bucket list ride. By choosing a challenging mountain stage, the organisers cater to both the serious racer wanting to test their limits and more green riders wanting to build their year around an unprecedented test.

PRE-RIDE PREP

If the 152km doesn’t quite hit the imperial century mark, its 4,100m of climbing means a huge day out on the bike. Riders will have to conquer five categorised climbs, the last one being the toughest of the lot, the Col de Joux Plane, which at over 11.6km at 8.5% is one of the Alps most notorious. With general entry selling out as rapidly as Glastonbury when tickets went on sale in October, riders have plenty of time to work on their power-to-weight ratios.

THE RIGHT KIT

Always tune your bike up for a day in the mountains. New-ish brake pads that have been bedded in, and brand new tyres, is advised. It’s a crack-of-dawn start, especially if you’re riding to it, so pack a gilet and maybe even arm warmers, even if the weather is going to be warm in the day. If you see locals packing rain jackets, it’s probably for good reason! With serious altitude gain, a 34x32 bottom gear will give you the insurance in tough times at the end.

THE WEEKEND

Registration opens on the Friday afternoon until Saturday evening so there’s plenty of time to collect your number and goodie bag before the Sunday ride. With 15,000 participants, the start can appear chaotic but the pens are well signposted and there are plenty or marshals to send you the right way. Don’t worry about being at the front of your pen - grab a coffee and join it at the last minute. Keep off your feet as much as you can before the start.

THE RIDE

2023’s ride might be in the Alps but it has a more Pyrenean feel to it, with many shorter climbs stacked consecutively. The first climb, the 4.3km Col de Saxel, peaks at 19km, though all the riding to its base is uphill too. After that, they keep coming, with increasing difficulty. At 86.5km, the Col de la Ramaz (13.9km, 7.1%) will feel almost small fry once you get onto the Joux Plane at 127km. It’s a little shorter, but its extra 1.4% average gradient is the difference between bad and evil. At least the last 10km are all downhill…

ENTRY

While general entry has sold out, there are still places to be found with tour operators, such as Sportive Breaks and Sports Tours International. And, if you have your entry and are wanting company and logistical assistance, Ben’s company, personalbestcycling. co.uk, offers just that service.

01 Think ahead

Complete your challenge in your head before starting. Break it down into bite-sized chunks and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Be prepared for any weather conditions en route.

02 Train wisely

Plot your routes, possible obstacles and planned stops and work out from this the equipment and amount of training that’s needed. Understand the training world is different to the real-event world.

03 Break out

Give yourself a week leading up to your event to relax and only train very lightly. Remember to plan your body fuel as without food and nutrition you can train all you want but you’ll struggle to get through it.