Today is the day A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation) opens its registration for the two 2012 Etape du Tour stages. The Etape is probably the most famous of sportives, a mass participation ride which follows the exact route of a Tour de France stage. With closed roads, feed stops and race support it gives the average rider the chance to emulate like one of their cycling heros for the day and with the crowds that turn out all along the roadside to cheer on the weekend warriors its hard not to feel like a bit of a celebrity!

Traditionally held on the tougher of that year’s tour stages the Etape du Tour has been run on two dates for the past few years, in 2012 ‘Act 1′ journeys through the French Alps some 140km from Albertville – host of the 1992 Winter Olympics to the little known ski resort of La Toussuire in the Sybelles region. ‘Act 2′ is held in the Pyrenees and travels 197km from Pau to Bagneres de Luchon.

Unlike last year the stages in 2012 both have similarly mountainous route profiles with Act 1 climbing four peaks, the highest of which is the famous Croix de Fer at a height of 2067m. The climb has been used in the tour 13 times. With 13 hairpins, 3 sections that are more than 10% and a Hors Categorie status it will be a challenging ascent. The views in this region are quite spectacular with L’Ourson & the the Aiguilles D’ Arves towering above. At 140km it’s a good distance for a first major sportive and with no flat sections in the route riders will be always climbing or descending. The real sting in the tail on this stage will be the final climb to La Toussuire. From St. Jean de Maurienne the climb immediately kicks up as it weaves up the steep sided valley walls, passing through farming communities and the architectural monstrosity that is the ski resort of Le Corbier. Though the climb averages 6% its initial slopes are the steepest (reaching 10%), making it a shock to the system after a fast & easy descent from Col du Mollard. The entire climb is exposed so expect it to be either scorchingly hot or wind battered & cold. After reaching Le Corbier the climb really levels out and allows those with something left in there legs to make a charge for the finish line. La Toussuire has a special place in Tour history as the climb that broke Floyd Landis (en route to his now denounced tour win) & delivered a win for the skeletal Michael Rasmussen (who received a ban the following year – mid tour & while in the yellow jersey).

 

 

Act 2 has similarly shark toothed profile but with much bigger climbs and a longer route it is the more extreme under taking of the two options. Starting in the Atlantique Pyrenees town of Pau, a picturesque town with winding cobbled streets, grand bridges and stunning views. Pau will play host to the Tour de France for the 64th time in 2012. The first 30km of this Etape gently climbs to the foot of the Col d’Aubisque. Here riders will find difference between the Alps & the Pyrenees as the gradients ramp up. The first climb averages 7.2% but does so consistently through its 16km. After summiting the Col riders are then treated to the longest descent of the day, 30km to the foot of the legendary Tourmalet. (The video below is from Cycle film’s Etape Recon series – available from Wiggle)

Here the ride gets tough. The 20km climb rarely drops below 7% and gets steeper as you ascend the 1400m from the valley floor to the imposing peak. The torture of the climb is all worth it for the high speed descent through the ski resort of La Mongie down to Campan and on to the Col d’Aspin.

 

 

The penultimate climb of the day, the Col d’Aspin, starts off gently through the pine forests with the gradient just picking up a little as you plateau on the cow & campervan filled pastures at the peak.

 

The Peyresourde is the final climb of the day & while it doesn’t look too serious on paper, with 160km in your legs it will feel like a monster! The climb is for the most part a straight drag up an exposed grassy bowl which is likely to be extremely warm this late in the day, the final few km are a series of switchbacks that offer little respite from the gradient. Once you have hauled yourself over the peak it’s famous descent is seriously fast so take care.

 

If it’s your first challenge then the Alps Etape is probably a good way to get into the continental sportive scene but for me the Act 2 route is by far the more prestigious ride. Hopefully see you there!

 

Register for Etape du Tour here – www.letapedutour.com