L'Étape du Tour

Ever wondered what it would be like to ride a stage of the Tour de France? Wondered what it would be like to experience racing through the French country side, with closed roads?

Since 1993 the Tour organiser, ASO, has organised L'Étape du Tour, the closest that us mere mortals will get to ever experience what our cycling heroes do most days of the year.

Cyclingnews takes a look at the 14 year-old event in its latest Tour de France lead up video package. Each year, generally on the first rest day of the tour, L'Étape du Tour is held on the same roads, under the same condition, albeit it with out the support cars, as one of the stages of that years Tour.

From the first L'Étape du Tour, held in 1993 when around 2000 competitors took part, the event has grown to one of the biggest cyclo-sportif event on the calendar. Over 5000 cyclists turning up these days to compete and compare themselves to the professionals that pass over the stage in the following days.

Click here to view the video.