L'Étape du Tour 2024: a not-to-be-missed event

Get ready seriously for the 32nd edition of the Étape du Tour 2024, which will take place on July 07 along the route of the 20th stage of the Tour de France, from Nice to the Col de la Couillole. This edition promises to be one of the most demanding among the 31 previous events. With its 138 kilometers of course and over 4,600 meters of cumulative positive elevation gain, including the ascents of the cols de Braus, Turini, Colmiane, and Couillole, this course will challenge cycling enthusiasts. Rigorous preparation is therefore essential to tackle this challenge successfully.

The Étape du Tour in a nutshell

The Étape du Tour de France is a cycling race open to all, held every summer, offering cyclists the opportunity to experience a stage of the Grande Boucle under the same conditions as professionals. This cyclosportive, organized since 1993, brings together thousands of cyclists from around the world every year. With over 15,000 participants per edition, it is one of the most significant cyclosportives in Europe. Thanks to close collaboration with local authorities, the roads are fully closed to traffic to ensure the safety of participants.

Every year, the organizers modify the Étape du Tour route, thus offering a varied experience through different landscapes. Cyclists are then prepared to climb the mythical cols of the Tour de France such as Alpe d'Huez, Col du Tourmalet, or Col du Galibier.

The Étape du Tour for women

In 2023, out of 16,000 riders, 7% were women. Hopefully, this figure should increase for this 2024 edition.

This is also an opportunity to remind you that the third edition of the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift is scheduled from Monday, August 12th to Sunday, August 18th, 2024. This edition will consist of 8 stages in total. The first three stages will take place in the Netherlands, with a Grand Depart planned in Rotterdam. Encouraging for the evolution of women's cycling, isn't it?

And an international Étape du Tour?

Just like our female champions, with the Étape by Tour de France, immerse yourself in the experience of the Grande Boucle from all over the world. From the Cypriot coasts to the Ecuadorian summits, through the Slovenian roads, you can now tackle routes worthy of the Tour de France and share the emotions of the greatest champions worldwide amidst exceptional landscapes.

👉 Discover the Étape Series

The route of the Étape du Tour 2024 in detail

The route of the Étape du Tour 2024 will take place in the Alps, with formidable ascents such as the col de Braus, col de Turini, col de la Colmiane, and finally the col de la Couillole. Despite relatively manageable average percentages, the relentless accumulation of difficulties will challenge cyclists, especially during the final climb to the col de la Couillole. Good physical and mental preparation is therefore essential.

The Col de Braus: the first major difficulty

The start of this stage in the heart of the Côte d'Azur metropolis will highlight the Alpes-Maritimes and the city of Nice. Participants will depart from Boulevard Jean Jaurès, near Place Masséna, to leave the city to the north, taking a long, slightly uphill false flat. In the enthusiasm of the start and with the pelotons still compact, the 1.2% gradient will not be felt.

After about 15 km, the first real reliefs will appear on the horizon. The col de Nice (4 km at an average gradient of 5%), taken by the Blaussac road, will gradually narrow as you approach the pass. Therefore, attention should be paid to possible traffic jams at this point, where cyclist traffic may still be significant!

After a brief descent and passing through l'Escarène, it will be time to attack the ascent of the col de Braus, the first listed difficulty with an irregular ascent exposed to the sun, requiring special attention to hydration and heat management. Despite an average gradient of 6.6%, the 10 km are rather irregular. The highest percentages, around 8/9%, are found at the exit of Touët-sur-l’Escarène and after a series of hairpin bends in the middle of the ascent, where you can even encounter percentages exceeding 10% for a few tens of meters. On the other hand, the ascent offers a welcome flat stretch before tackling the same series of hairpin bends.

The col de Turini: a significant challenge on the Tour de France route.

During this climb, cyclists will have to cover 20.7 km at an average gradient of 5.7%. This ascent from the East side consists of two distinct parts. The first 10 kilometers are relatively regular, with moderate gradients ranging from 5 to 6%. Cyclists are offered a welcome break when they pass through the village of Moulinet, in the middle of this first part, where the road is surrounded by mountains, providing a welcome sensation of freshness on hot July days.

The second part of the ascent, mainly through a forest, is more demanding, with an average gradient of about 8% over ten kilometers. With a total positive elevation gain of 1,210 meters, the col de Turini represents a real challenge. To succeed in this passage of the Étape du Tour 2024, effort management will once again be crucial. At the summit, at an altitude of 1,607 meters, it is essential to refuel, as the descent that follows is anything but easy. Indeed, over more than 15 km, cyclists must negotiate a series of hairpin bends at a sustained pace before rejoining the main road at the bottom of the Vésubie valley.

The Vésubie Valley and the ascent of the col de la Colmiane

The col de la Colmiane, also called col Saint-Martin, officially starts in the village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Cyclists will then have seven kilometers to cover, with an average gradient of 7.2%, until reaching 1,500 meters above sea level. This regular climb takes place on a picturesque road and does not present excessively steep gradients exceeding 8%. Cyclists will then be able to find a more stable rhythm, even if fatigue will begin to be felt at this stage of the race.

After the rapid and less technical descent of the col de la Colmiane, cyclists will tackle a valley section for 4 kilometers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, before catching sight of the last climb of the event: the col de la Couillole, stretching over 15.7 km with an average gradient of 7.1%.

This pass, often included in the route of the Paris-Nice race but largely unknown to the general public, offers an ascent on a narrow and winding road, with a positive elevation gain exceeding 1,000 meters. The gradient, relatively constant, oscillates between 7 and 8%, rarely exceeding 9%. In addition to the inherent challenges of this climb, heat management will be a determining factor in reaching the summit in the best possible conditions.

The Étape du Tour is therefore a real adventure for cycling enthusiasts, with a unique atmosphere and impeccable organization. At the end of this demanding and very sunny event, each participant can be proud of their achievement. 

If you are ready to take on this challenge and are looking for the best possible equipment to experience this event in ideal conditions, trust REINES to find the most comfortable cycling outfit possible.