l'Etape du Tour adds new event

Alongside the the announcement of the Tour de France route, the organisers of l'Etape du Tour, an event where up to 8,500 amateurs get the opportunity to ride a full Tour de France stage, revealed which of next year's stages has been selected.

In keeping with past years, the 2007 Etape be held on the course of one of the epic mountain stages. The event will be held in the Pyrennees, and will follow the parcours of Stage 15 from Foix to Loudenvielle, featuring five categorised climbs: the Col de Port, Col de Portet d'Aspet, Col de Menté, Port de Balès and the Col de Peyresourde, in 196 km (see profile). It will be held on Monday July 16th, coinciding with the Tour's first rest day.

Because of the demand for places in l'Etape du Tour far outstrips supply, organisers ASO have created a new event. The Etape de Legende will be run along same lines as its sister event, but on a classic stage from the Tour's past.

The first Etape de Legende will be run on Sunday, September 23rd, and will revisit the 8th Stage of the 1967 Tour de France between Strasbourg and the Ballon d'Alsace. The original stage was won by Lucien Aimar of France, but is also notable for the fact that Raymond Poulidor crashed, costing him that year's Tour.

For more information about both events visit www.letapedutour.com