Etape du Tour – 2021

30th Edition of L' Etape du Tour

2021 Etape du Tour

Sunday 4th July 2021

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights Distance: 177km with 3570m of Climbing

In 2021 the Etape du Tour will return. Sports Travel International are the official Irish Tour de France and Etape du Tour international travel partner. The 2021 Etape du Tour is your opportunity to ride a stage of the Tour de France on 100% closed roads on exactly the same route as the riders of the Tour de France peloton did on Stage 2 in 2020. This is amateur cycling at its absolute best. Ride the 30th edition of L’ Etape du Tour, in the stunning city of Nice with us this year!

DETAILS
The 30th edition of the Etape du Tour will take place in the beautiful setting of Nice on the Cote d’Azur and surrounding mountains. The Etape will take place on Sunday 4th July, and will replicate Stage 2 of the 2020, where Julian Alaphilippe took the victory ahead of Marc Hirschi and Adam Yates.

The Étape du Tour is your opportunity to ride a stage of the Tour de France under similar race-day conditions as the Tour itself. This means you will get to experience 100% closed roads, Mavic on-road mechanical support and feed zones, just like you would if you were riding the Tour de France itself. Sports Travel International is the official tour operator for Ireland for the 2021 edition of Etape du Tour and we have the best selection of travel options for you. We have excellently located hotels in the centre of Nice and can offer guaranteed entry into l’Etape, airport transfers, mechanical services, bike rental, event support and much more besides.

Prices from €469- per person with the below included. For all options and prices refer to the hotel and prices tab

Included with your Etape du Tour travel package
- 3 nights at Mercure Notre Dame, Ibis Styles Nice, or Deck Hotel by HappyCulture (extra nights available on request)
- 3 breakfasts, with arrangements for an early breakfast on Etape du Tour day
- Secure bike storage at the hotel (either in a bike store, or in your room)
- All hotel taxes
- A safe pair of hands – click here for more information
- Our staff service. Details of which below
Our staff service at the Etape du Tour includes the following:
- An Etape du Tour race briefing. This may be delivered in a virtual format
- Assistance at the event expo and throughout your stay
- Mechanical support from our professional mechanics
- A 24 hour emergency number
- Two additional feed stations on the route
Sports Travel International is working in conjunction with Sports Tours International. As part of this cycling trip you will join other Sports Tours International cyclists.

Also available
- Guaranteed Etape du Tour entry at €150- when booked alongside hotel & support package
- Bike Hire – on request and subject to availability
- Bike Transport Service – €225 – when booked alongside hotel & support package (€240 as stand alone service)-More information here
- Specialist Sports Travel Insurance – do not travel without insurance and don’t forget to insure your bike.
- Online medical certification service – More information here
Guaranteed entry without travel package – €275

Bike rental

Rental bikes are available on request, subject to availability. To enquire, or for more information, call +353 (1) 961 9362

If you book to rent a bike from us, then upon your arrival in Nice your bike will be delivered and fitted. The bike will be collected from you, after you have finished riding on Sunday. Below are the available bikes, however note; we can also offer more premium road bikes on request. Prices below are for the duration of the tour and include insurance, excluding damage or theft, resulting from abuse or negligence by the renter.
- Trek Emonda SL6 – SL6 Shimano Ultegra Compact/ Trek Emonda SL6 Disc- €175 (available in sizes 50 cm – 60 cm)
- Trek Domane 5.9 –€175 (available in 52 cm)
- Trek Emonda S5 –€140 (available in sizes 50 cm – 60 cm)
- Trek Emonda SL7 –€175 (available in 56/ 58 cm)
All our rental bikes include:
- Pedals – please indicate which ones you need or bring your own
- Pump
- Bike Computer
- 2 bottle cages – 1 free water-bottle
- 1 Saddle bag with tubes and tools
- Compact 50/34 with a choice of 11/28 or 11/ 32 cassette
Please email us with any questions

Read More
The Etape du Tour 2021 on Sunday 4th July. Nice and surrounding countryside> Nice, distance 177 km with 3570m of climbing

The 2021 Etape du Tour will be held on a course to replicate stage 2 of the 2020 Tour de France. The stage is 177 km in length and features a climb of 3570 metres climbing. After the start in Nice, the first challenge of the day the climb up to the Col de la Colmiane. Shortly after which, you will face the Col de Turini,and then the legendary climb of the Col d’Èze. The final 17-km loop will prove the hardest part of that climb, as all the riders taking on the 30th edition of the Etape du Tour, will head up to the Col des Quatre Chemins. From here, there will be a few downhill kilometres, before the finish line is in sight.

Stage 2 of the 2020 Tour de France – A Home Victory, and a Frenchman in Yellow

Julian Alaphilippe, local favourite and Tour de France hero in 2019, out sprinted former under 23 World Champion Marc Hirschi of team Sunweb and winner of the 2016 Young Rider Classification, Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), to take his first stage victory of the year at stage 2 of the 2020 Tour de France. This stage saw the first ‘real’ climbs on the 2020 tour, and included ascents of La Colmiane and the Col de Turini,and , of course, the iconic Col d’ Eze.

In an effort that echoed his feats from the 2019 tour, the 28 year old racer put in an exhilarating acceleration on the ascent of the Col des Quatre Chemins, to create a small breakaway. He was followed by Hirschi and Yates, and the 3 riders extended their lead with just a shade over 13 km to go. Alaphilippe however, was persistent to the end. With just 200 metres remaining, and the chasing pack rapidly drawing closer; the Deceuninck-QuickStep rider got up, out of the saddle, and made one final effort to cross the line.

The French rider was very emotional upon his victory. He dedicated the win to his father, who passed away earlier in the year, and acknowledged the efforts of his team and the riders around him .

“I gave it everything I could and collaborated with the other riders, and even with the wind on the run-in, we held on and we did it. It’s only stage 2. I’m in the yellow jersey and I’ll do my best [to keep the yellow jersey].” He said to Flobikes, after the stage.

Why ride the 2021 Etape du Tour with us?
- All nationalities are welcome on our tours
- We offer a selection of hotel and support packages available, catering to any budget.
- We can offer guaranteed entry to the Etape du Tour 2021 edition.
- Bike rental options – On request and subject to availability
- Breakfasts are included with times to suit the timings of the event, so early breakfasts will be provided where required
- Dedicated additional feed stations for our customers
- Secure bike storage at your hotel
- Assistance of dedicated reps and mechanics including a professional race briefing (which may be virtual)
- Financially protected payments
At the 2021 Etape du Tour, if you book a package with us, you will benefit not only from our years of experience in planning logistics for taking cyclists to cyclosportive and Gran Fondo events but also from our second to none event support.

To read a race report from the Etape du Tour, see this article by Road Cycling UK’s Assistant Editor George Scott on the Road Cycling UK website
ITINERARY

2021 Etape du Tour Travel Itinerary

Thursday 1st July 2021 – optional early arrival day

If you choose to arrive today then we can arrange extra nights available on request. Contact us directly to arrange your additional nights.

Friday 2nd July 2021 – main arrival day

There are many direct and indirect flight options from many countries into Nice Cote d’Azur airport. Please note, flights are going to be in high demand for this date, so we advise you to book early to guarantee a flight seat and a good price.

Don’t forget travel insurance – Please visit our insurance page.

Saturday 3rd July 2021 – EXPO and registration in Nice

After breakfast, please make your way to the EXPO and registration area in Nice where you will be able to register for the Etape du Tour.

We offer guaranteed entry into the Etape du Tour at a price of €150- if booked alongside a travel package or €275- as an ‘entry only’ option without a travel package. Don’t forget that you need a medical certificate to take part in the Etape du Tour!

Sunday 4th July 2021 – L’Etape du Tour 2021

07:00/08:00 is the expected start time for the Etape. We have organised early breakfasts at all hotels so you can get to the start early to ensure everyone is lined up in the right pens for the start. The organisers allocate pens according to likely finish time and historic Etape performance, therefore faster riders start nearer the front and the slower riders at the back. Please note, we have no influence over your starting pen. The Etape du Tour is a closed road sportive. There will be water stops en-route and mechanical assistance provided by MAVIC. Along the route, there are certain times that you must have passed certain spots.

Sports Travel Customers – Sports Tours International food and assistance points

Especially for Sports Travel and Sports Tours International riders, there will be additional food and assistance points on the route which give you better access than at the normal feed stops. Many of our riders actually use just our feed stops and avoid the official ones. On the 2021 Etape du Tour we will provide 2 private feed stations.

If you have booked bike rental or our overland bike transport service then your bike will be collected back from you this evening.

Monday 5th July 2021 – Departure day

Today is departure day. You will need to check out and leave the hotel mid morning.
HOTELS & PRICING
Mercure Centre Notre Dame

A highlight of this stylish, and newly renovated, Nice city centre hotel has got to be the rooftop pool, complete with bar, that offers incredible, panoramic views over Nice c...

Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare

Just a short walk (10 mins approx) from the iconic Place Masséna, the Promenade des Anglais, the city front beaches, and Old Nice; the stylish, new, Ibis Styles Nice Centre ...

THE DECK HOTEL – NICE – 4 STAR – HAPPYCULTURE

The Deck hotel in Nice (formerly known as hotel de Flore) is a newly refurbished hotel in the very centre of Nice within very easy reach of the airport, the centre and the sea...

Prices:

2021 Etape du Tour Hotels and Prices

3 Nights at 3* Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare with Breakfast
- €469 – based on 2 people occupying a twin or double room
- €210 – per person additional supplement for single occupancy of a room
3 Nights at 4* Mercure Nice Notre Dame with Breakfast
- €549 – based on 2 people occupying a twin or double room
- €290 – per person additional supplement for single occupancy of a room
4* The Deck Hotel – HappyCulture with Breakfast
- €559 – based on 2 people occupying a twin or double room
- €290- per person additional supplement for single occupancy of a room
Etape du Tour 2021 Guaranteed entry – when purchased with a Hotel package €150

Etape du Tour 2021 Guaranteed entry – without a travel package €275

Etape du Tour – 2021 Hotels

Mercure Centre Notre Dame

A highlight of this stylish, and newly renovated, Nice city centre hotel has got to be the rooftop pool, complete with bar, that offers incredible, panoramic views over Nice city centre and the oceans and mountains beyond!

Situated directly opposite the iconic Notre Dame Basilica (which looks simply incredible when lit up in the evenings) on Avenue Jean Médecin, this hotel will welcome you into the very heart of Nice city centre. In the centre of all the best boutique shopping areas, but still just a 5 minute walk from the railway station, and 10 minutes, on foot, from the world famous Promenade des Anglais, making it easy for you to explore the beautiful city of Nice and it’s surrounding areas. Other highlights of Nice surrounding this wonderful hotel are, Place Masséna (less than a 10 minute walk away), the historic Cimiez neighbourhood (home to the Musée National Marc Chagall and Musée Matisse), and it is only a 15-min walk to the interesting,vibrant and beautiful Old Nice.

For your peace and relaxation the hotel offers a 2000-m² interior garden and shaded terrace, as well as a fitness centre and jacuzzi area. With a 24-hour reception, Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame also offers room service and luggage storage. Each room in the hotel features air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, desk, wardrobe and minibar. Rooms have modern decor (renovated in 2016) and the private bathrooms are complete with a bath or shower and a hairdryer.

Check in is from 14:00 and check out available until 12:00.
Etape du Tour – 2021 Hotels
Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare

Just a short walk (10 mins approx) from the iconic Place Masséna, the Promenade des Anglais, the city front beaches, and Old Nice; the stylish, new, Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare was fully refurbished in 2015, and offers a comfortable and relaxing environment, conveniently located, right in the centre of the city. Situated in the quiet, and quaint, Musicians Quarter, one of the most attractive neighborhoods in the city, the Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare is also within a stones throw of Nice Ville train station and conveniently located for many bus and metrolink services, making it easy for you to explore this wonderful city, and it’s surrounding areas, while you are here.

This hotel offers a 24-hour front desk service and your luggage can be stored on site, on your arrival and departure days, while you explore Nice. Secure bicycle storage is available free of charge at this hotel. All rooms, at the Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare, are decorated in pastel colours with a chilled out beach vibe, and are kitted out with a flat-screen TV and hair dryer for your use. All rooms have a private bathroom with shower facilities, within which, you will find that some free toiletries have been provided. All rooms are air conditioned and soundproofed, to ensure that you can have a peaceful rejuvenating break, and get plenty of rest for whatever your holiday in Nice entails.

Check in is available from 14:00 on your arrival day, and check out until midday, prior to your departure. Pets are permitted upon request.

Extras

Hotel Bonuses

Very close to the train station

A stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais

Colorful design and warm atmosphere

A hotel team eager to share helpful tips

Our hotel is Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) certified

All rooms air conditioned and sound proofed

All Rooms complete with wifi access, television, and hairdryer

100% non-smoking hotel

Babysitting on request

Check-in from 14h00/ Check out up to 12h00 with provision for Early check-in/Late check-out
Etape du Tour – 2021 Hotels
THE DECK HOTEL – NICE – 4 STAR – HAPPYCULTURE

The Deck hotel in Nice (formerly known as hotel de Flore) is a newly refurbished hotel in the very centre of Nice within very easy reach of the airport, the centre and the sea front. We have a secure bike storage room available at the hotel and breakfasts will be provided in line with event timings. Your stay here is on a bed and breakfast basis as there are many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Our Sports International team will be based at the Deck hotel and we have a permanent presence here so you have access to our bike mechanics throughout the day. You can do your own thing in the knowledge that we are on hand to assist if you need us or you can join in with the daily activities and be part of our group.

Location:

The Deck Hotel by Happyculture is located very conveniently for the event in the centre of Nice. You will have just a 5-minute walk to all the action on the Promenade des Anglais and the sea front of Nice. Other interesting places to visit are Nice Opera at 500 metres of the hotel and Nice old town is a mere 10-minute walk away.

Public parking is available nearby

Nice-Cote d’Azur Airport is just 5km away

The bus stop for line 98 (airport shuttle) is a 2-minute walk away

Nice train station is 15 minutes by foot

The closest tram stop is on Avenue Jean-Médecin, a 5-minute walk away

The rooms

We have Cabine, Cabine Club and Cabine Premium rooms available. The Cabine and Cabine Club rooms are a bit smaller so we those are only available as single rooms. The Cabine and Cabine Club Rooms come with a double bed or 2 single beds. The Premium rooms are available with 2 Single Beds or 1 Queen Bed. Each air-conditioned room has a nice Mediterranean style decor designed with warm colours. All rooms have a private marble bathroom and are equipped with a cable TV and free WiFi access.

More information on rooms can be found here

Breakfast

At The Deck Hotel by Happyculture, guests have the choice between a continental breakfast and a buffet breakfast, both served every morning. Breakfast can be served in the guest rooms or on the terrace.

Extras

Air conditioning

24/24 reception

Arrival from 15h, departure until 12h

Conciergerie – details in reception

Luggage Room

Bike store

Ironing equipment on request

Elevator

Business corner

Public Parking Nearby – 25€/24h
IMPORTANT INFO

How to Book

Click ‘Book Now’ (the button at the top of the page). We require a non-refundable deposit per person plus any applicable entry fees to be paid at the time of booking. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at least 12 weeks before you travel to avoid the cancellation of your trip. Please find our full booking conditions here.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist Sports Travel’s travel insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. It includes cover for participation in cycling events and travel disruption. NB: Our travel insurance is only available to you only if you are a resident of Ireland and have been for the past six months prior to booking the travel insurance. If you have your own travel insurance, you must ensure that your policy covers you to participate in cycling events and we also recommend it includes cover for travel disruption.

Northern Irish customers. For details of specialist sports travel insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. if you have your own travel insurance, you must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in cycling events.

General, visa, passport and health information

General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the DFA website or the on the FCO website. Please note that this information relates to Irish or UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information. Check the date of validity of your passport well in advance of travel and renew if necessary. See www.dfa.ie/passports or https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports

Medical certificate

To take part in the 2021 Etape du Tour you have to get a medical certificate signed by your doctor within the last year from the event date. For an example copy of the kind of form have a look here, Medical certificate example cycling. Alternatively our partners offer online medical certification.

PLEASE NOTE, AT ETAPE REGISTRATION, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT A DOCTOR’S NOTE STATING THERE ARE NO KNOWN MEDICAL REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT COMPETE. PLEASE VISIT OUR MEDICAL CERTIFICATION PAGE (HERE) FOR MORE INFORMATION. THIS IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL MEAN THAT YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE ETAPE.

Single travelers and twin to share

We welcome single travelers on our tours and holidays as it is a great way to join a like-minded group of people and you will make lots of new friends. If you would like to join our group as a single traveler we can offer you two options. A single room or if you want to avoid the single supplement then you can make use of our ‘twin to share’ option. We will pair you up with another rider (of the same sex) and you can enjoy the event without having to pay extra.
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PAST EVENTS
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2022 Etape du Tour

France

July 2022 (date tbc) Duration: One Day
Distance: 150 - 200 km

VIEW EVENT DETAILS

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Etape du Tour – 2021

2021 Etape du Tour

THE DECK HOTEL – NICE – 4 STAR – HAPPYCULTURE

Location:

The rooms

Breakfast

OTHER EVENTS & TRAINING

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