L’Etape de Légende

A new prestige cyclosportive organised by the Tour de France organisation, the inaugural Etape de Légende is set for Sunday 23rd September 2007. The route for 2007 is the route of the decisive stage from the 1967 Tour, the sole victory of Lucien Aimar.

The stage runs through the beautiful Vosges region of France, from Strasbourg to a mountaintop finish on the Ballon d'Alsace. En route, you will cover around 190 km over 11 classified climbs. Unlike the monster climbs of the Pyrénées and Alps, the Vosges offers more moderate climbs, including the Kreuzweg at 766m, le Collet du Linge at 965m, the Col du Platzerwasel (1193m) and finally the Ballon d'Alsace at 1250m.

The stage will be much more favourable to riders who are not used to riding in the high mountains and are unable to get away for training in the high cols; however it will be run to the same standards as the Etape du Tour with closed roads, timing transponders, feed stations and medical and mechanical support services.

Set to be one of the blue-riband cyclosportives, this is your chance to take part in the inaugural event. French Cycling Holidays are offering two 3-night packages; both tours start on Friday 21st September in the magnificent city of Strasbourg for the first two nights, and finish in Belfort or Mulhouse near to the Ballon d'Alsace, for return via Strasbourg on Monday 24th September.

Packages include collection from and drop-off to Strasbourg airport and TGV station, entry to the event and all necessary transfers.

The standard package costs £455 and includes 3 nights half board accomodation (dinner, bed breakfast) in comfortable 2 star hotels.

The luxury package, at £595 includes 3 nights half board accomodation (dinner, bed breakfast) in luxurious 4 star hotels.

We also have a number of entry-only places at £120.

To register your interest please contact us.

What’s included

• Guaranteed entry to L’Etape de Légende 2007.
• Coach transfer to and from the local airport or major train / TGV station.
• Experienced bi-lingual guides
• Welcome pack with information pack, route guides, training advice.
• Luggage transfer from hotel in race start region to hotel in race finish region.
• Coach transfers to and from: Start village (signing on); Race start and finish; Tour de France stage

What’s not included

• Travel to pick-up points
• Bicycle (you will probably want your own best bike to tackle the etape; we do have a limited number of race bikes in a few sizes — please phone or e-mail to discuss)
• Lunches (we will advise on good spots for lunch)
• Beers, soft drinks and coffee.