On Sunday 9 July 16,000 lucky amateur cyclists will preview Stage 14 of the 2023 Tour de France, from Annemasse, in Haute-Savoie, to Morzine. Along the 157km L’Etape du Tour route, riders will climb 4100 meters in height and summit five alpine grand tour worthy passes, all on completely closed roads – just like the pros will do one week later.

“Those who participate in the 31ª edition of the Étape du Tour de France will live an exceptional day,” says Christian Preudhomme, chief organizer of Le Tour de France and L’etape du Tour. “The path is extremely challenging, so the utmost attention should be paid to energy management. There are many climbs, you have to avoid going to the reserve, especially when you consider that the most feared hill is the last, the Joux-Plane, which has double-digit slopes. At the end of the fast and difficult descent to Morzine, everyone will finally be able to savor the taste of their exploit and will be able to tell that they have entered, in their own way, the legend of the Tour de France in the footsteps of the greatest champions who wore the yellow jersey in Morzine, from Bernard Thévenet to Joop Zoetemelk.”

One of the most prestigious and anticipated gran fondos anywhere in the world, L’Etape du Tour will start with an “easy” warm-up ascent of Col de Saxel, just over 4 kilometers at a 4.6% gradient. The first real leg test will be Col de Cou, which starts at the 28km mark. A challenging climb of 7km at 7.7%, it is sure to separate those with good legs from those just hoping to reach the finish.

After recovering on a fast descent, riders will then tackle the shorter (5.9km), but slightly steeper Col de Feu at 7.9%. While views of the French Alps are spectacular on this climb, most riders will be staring down at the asphalt just a few meters ahead, hoping the 1117m summit arrives soon.

The second half of the ride begins with a long climb through the forests on Col de la Ramaz, 13.9km at 7.1%. After a nice long descent to the postcard perfect Alpine village of Taninges, riders will start the mythical hors catégorie Col de Joux-Plane, 11.6km with the average slope at 8.5%.

Steeped in Tour de France history, Col de Joux-Plane is the most famous of the Morzine Cols. During the Tour in 2000 it pushed Lance Armstrong to his limits, nearly costing him the overall win (now voided ) when he bonked on the climb and lost the lead. In 2006 American Floyd Landis managed to make up an unbelievable seven minute deficit by attacking the Col at a superhuman pace. Although he eventually won the Tour, he was later disqualified for doping and also stripped of his overall Tour de France title, just like Armstrong.

After summiting Col de Joux-Plane, L’etape du Tour riders will race downhill for 12km to the finish in Morzine where they can enjoy a well earned beer, or two.

Photo Credit: A.S.O.

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