The route of France’s largest and most prestigious gran fondo, L’Étape du Tour 2023, was revealed on Thursday during the official presentation of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes at the Palais des Congrès.

On Sunday 9 July this 31st edition of L’Étape du Tour will take 10,000+ amateur cyclists across the roads of Haute-Savoie, between Annemasse and Morzine, six days before the Tour de France professionals ride the same route in Stage 14.

The 152 kilometers long route includes a polka-dot jersey worthy 4100 meters of elevation gain on completely closed roads – just like the Tour de France.

Three first categorie climbs are on the route: Col du Cou with 7.7 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.7%, Col de Feu 5.9km at 7.9% and Col de la Ramaz 13.9km at 7.1%. But they are just a “warm-up” for the penultimate climb – the Hors Categorie Col de Joux Plane with 11.6km at 8.5%!

The Joux Plane is where in 2006 ex-pro Floyd Landis had the most unbelievable and best ride of his life when he dropped and crushed the entire Tour de France peloton to win Stage 17 solo. Afterwards, Landis’ unbelievable performance really was unbelievable when everyone learned he tested positive for Testosterone at three times the legal limit and was eventually stripped of his 2006 Tour de France overall title.

Registration for the always sold-out L’Etape du Tour starts 02 November HERE.

Photos/Media: L’Etape du Tour