The 33rd edition of L’Étape du Tour de France welcomed 16,000 amateur cyclists to the French Alps on Sunday, July 7, 2025, with riders tackling a 131km route between Albertville and La Plagne – featuring 4,500m of elevation gain and roads fully closed to traffic.
Participants from 90 countries joined the mass-start cyclosportive, which is organised by Tour de France owner Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). This year’s route mirrored Stage 19 of the Tour de France, which will take place on July 25, 2025.
French rider Victor Vidal, 26, claimed the men’s title after breaking away on the final climb to La Plagne. In the women’s race, Germany’s Stephanie Meder led from the start to take the title.
Of the 16,000 riders, 27.4% came from outside France, with 44% taking part in L’Étape for the first time.
Cyclists climbed Héry-sur-Ugine (11.3km at 5%), the Col des Saisies (13.7km at 6.4%), Col du Pré (12.6km at 7.7%) and Cormet de Roselend (5.9km at 6.3%) before finishing at altitude in La Plagne.
Among the many amateur stories was Jean Bachelard, over 80 years old, who completed his eighth Étape in 8:13. “It was steep but beautiful,” he said. “We’re so lucky to do this – it’s like a stage of the real Tour.”
Charity also played a major role, with over 670 riders fundraising, including 420 for Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque. More than €450,000 was raised in total.
The first edition of L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The new event, open to all, follows the route of Stage 8 of the women’s Tour – from Chambéry to the Col de la Madeleine – offering distances of 112km (3,490m climbing) or 100km (2,950m climbing).
