This is the nearest the average rider can get to understanding what it’s like to take on a high-mountain stage of the Tour de France. On Sunday 9th July 2023, the 31st edition of L’Étape du Tour will take place on the same route as Stage 14 of the Tour, from Annemasse to Morzine. Around 16,000 riders will line up to face 157km of Alpine roads, with 4,100m of climbing, including the Col de Saxel (4.3km at 4.6%), Col de Cou (7km at 7.4%), Col du Feu (5.9km at 7.8%), Col de la Ramaz (14.3km at 7.1%) and Col de Joux Plane (11.6km at 8.5%).
It will be brutal, as it always is. I know this because I raced – OK, completed – the 2022 version that weaved its way from Briançon to the top of Alpe d’Huez. Myself and a huge contingent of fellow Brits – 35 per cent of entrants were from abroad, with the UK leading the way, followed by the US and Belgium – did battle with 167km of roads, taking in 4,700m of climbing.
By training in the heat, you’ll enjoy a series of adaptations conducive to peak performance
In the run-up to that event, I prepared myself by tracking down experts in training, nutrition, hydration and race-planning, along with a selection of former pros, and squeezing them for advice, available in all good bookshops). There were streams of tears, streams of sweat and a sparseness of laughter. But there were also strategies and snippets that will hopefully hold you in good stead, should you be heading to the start line of the Étape this July.
