Brought forward one day, due to snap elections called in France, the roads of the Alpes-Maritimes, between Nice and the Col de la Couillole, will host the 32nd edition of L’Étape du Tour de France on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
On the same course that the Tour de France peloton will face two weeks later (as stage 20 of Le Tour), the 14,000 expected participants in the L’Étape du Tour de France gran fondo will have to slog through 138km and climb four mountain passes for a total altitude gain of 4,600m.
This year’s L’Étape du Tour de France has two new partners, Kärcher and Maurten, joining the event, with other sponsor partners including Hutchinson and Shimano.
As an official supplier to the event, sports nutrition brand Maurten (gels, powders and energy drinks for athletes) has put together a nutrition guide to support all the participants in the final days of their preparation, leading up to the big day and post-event recovery.
Maurten is also marketing a pre-order race pack on its website specifically for this year’s gruelling course.
Kärcher will run a cleaning station at the event finish to get bicycles gleaming again using its mobile cleaning solution.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson is relaunching its ‘HerOwnStory’ event activation. This sees 14 women on the start line of the 2024 L’Étape du Tour de France, wearing Hutchinson colours to highlight the diversity and inspiring stories of women for whom cycling has played a transformative role.
Created in 2022 with the aim of promoting cycling for women, Hutchinson’s #HerOwnStory activation seeks to recruit an all-female amateur team, prepare them ‘like the pros’ and support them throughout the year so they can take on the challenge of L’Étape.
The initiative also… ‘sets the scene for a frank and open conversation about the obstacles they face, encouraging women to come together, claim the space they deserve, and share their stories worldwide to raise awareness and achieve parity in the sport.’
Shimano will be on hand with their expert mechanical assistance, with fixed technical support stations set up along the entire course.
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, said “L’Étape du Tour de France holds a special place in our hearts because it brings the Tour de France experience to all amateurs.
“The 138km course stretching from Nice to the Col de la Couillole will be packed with sensational emotions – and a massive effort – for pro riders and L’Étape du Tour participants alike. Although the distance seems reasonable compared to previous editions of L’Étape du Tour, pacing is going to be crucial.
“The 4,600 metres of altitude gain and the ascent of the four mountain passes on the programme require good preparation. The gorgeous landscapes will reward the riders for all their efforts. Good luck, everyone, in the final weeks of training.”
