The route for the 2026 Etape du Tour has been revealed - and it's shaping up to be one of the toughest ever.
Announced at yesterday's presentation of the 2026 Tour de France route, the 34th edition of L'Etape du Tour will take place on 19 July 2026.
The course follows stage 20 of next year's Tour and it's another trip to the Alps, starting in Bourg d'Oisans and finishing atop Alpe d'Huez.
If that sounds like a recipe copied from La Marmotte, well, not quite: riders will face the Col de la Croix de Fer followed by the Telegraphe and Galibier double-header, but the organisers have added a twist in the finale. Rather than tackling Alpe d'Huez via the traditional 21 bends, the route takes the lesser-known ascent via Col de Sarenne.
The routing means finishers can enjoy the rare treat of descending the Alpe via the famous hairpins knowing that their day's work is done!
Even so, at 170km in length with 5400m of climbing, next year's Etape is more than ever a true test of endurance in the Alps.
Entries open on Monday 3 November at 2pm French time (1pm UK). Places last year started at €159 for the basic package rising to €231 if you want an event jersey and medal.
The standard entry includes an atmospheric day's riding on the Etape's closed roads, with rider timing and mechanical support, and feed stations including a pasta party at the finish.
Find out more and enter at www.letapedutourdefrance.com.
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