How to train for L'Étape du Tour de France
L'Étape du Tour allows amateur cyclists to ride an exact mountain stage of the Tour de France on completely closed roads, tackling historic summits.
Entries: Entries usually open in late October or November following the Tour de France route reveal.
What L'Étape du Tour de France demands
Mass-start traffic on early climbs combined with unrelenting mountain gradients. You need high power-to-weight ratio and disciplined energy management.
Your preparation roadmap
20 weeks recommendedWinter on the trainer
Build threshold power and practice pacing across consecutive multi-thousand meter mountain passes.
3x20 min at 95 to 100% FTP simulating major mountain pass climbs.
2x35 min steady sweet spot work on steep indoor trainer gradient.
5 hours outside with repeated steep climbing repeats.
4 sets of (3 min sweet spot / 30 sec surge at 120% FTP).
Routes (approximate, recent editions)
- About 135 to 160 km with 4,000 to 4,800 m of elevation gain mirroring an official pro stage
Key climbs & sectors
- Col du Tourmalet — 17 km at 7.5%
- Hautacam — 13.4 km at 8%
Could you handle Col du Tourmalet?
The signature climb of L'Étape du Tour de France. Enter your power and weight — a physics engine estimates your time on the gradient profile.
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See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004). for custom bike types, surface analysis, and detailed splits.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is L'Étape du Tour de France?
Mass-start traffic on early climbs combined with unrelenting mountain gradients. You need high power-to-weight ratio and disciplined energy management.
How many weeks do I need to train for L'Étape du Tour de France?
We recommend 20 weeks of structured training to build a durable aerobic base, sustained climbing or gravel power, and event-specific stamina.
Can I prepare for L'Étape du Tour de France indoors on a trainer?
Build threshold power and practice pacing across consecutive multi-thousand meter mountain passes. High-quality interval workouts and threshold blocks are often more time-efficient on an indoor trainer.
What are the key climbs and sectors of L'Étape du Tour de France?
Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam. Official routes can vary across editions — always verify current course details on the official website.
When do entries open for L'Étape du Tour de France?
Entries usually open in late October or November following the Tour de France route reveal. Consult the official site at https://www.letapedutourdefrance.com for entry details and registration openings.
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TrainCraft is not affiliated with L'Étape du Tour de France. Route figures and elevations are approximate and based on recent editions. Always verify current routes, dates and entry regulations on the official L'Étape du Tour de France website.