Etape du Tour 2014 Leaves Alps for the Pyrenees; Registration to Open 12 November

After the historic 2013 edition, which attracted a record-breaking 13,500 athletes (10,627 of which finished the race) between Annecy and Annecy-Semnoz, the next Etape du Tour will leave the Alps for the Pyrenees.

On 20 July 2014, cyclists from over 50 different countries will test their legs on a 148-km course from Pau to Hautacam, the same one which will be used in stage 18 of the 2014 Tour de France.

Cyclists from over 50 countries will take part. Click to Enlarge.

The riders will come up against two of the most legendary climbs in the history of the Tour de France - the Col du Tourmalet and the Hautacam.

Registration for the 2014 Etape du Tour opens tomorrow (Tuesday, 12 November 2013, at 11 am).

Outline of the 2014 Etape du Tour

The Etape du Tour is the only French cyclosporting event held on roads completely closed to traffic (under the same conditions as the Tour de France).

It will take place on Sunday, 20 July 2014, starting in Pau and finishing in Hautacam. The distance is not that great, just 148 kms, but serious challenges include Col du Tourmalet (17.1 km at an average gradient of 7.3%) and Hautacam (13.6 km at an average of 7.8%).

Start village (Friday and Saturday): Zénith, Pau

Finish village: Lau-Baulagnas (at the foot of the Hautacam)