Overview
Etape du Tour – July 10, 2022
Distance: 170 km, Total Elevation: 4700 m
The organizers of the Tour de France promised us something ‘epic’ for next year’s Etape du Tour, and they don’t take their words lightly! After 2 years of postponements due to Covid, the Etape du Tour is back with a bang, on a route that looks like it will be the toughest in years.
Your epic day starts in Briancon, already high in the Alps, and you climb (gently) straight away to your first col (Lautaret), where you turn right to attack the highest point in the Tour de France 2022 – Col du Galibier. After a very long descent to the Maurienne Valley you are met with an interminable climb up to the beautiful Col de la Croix de Fer, where an even longer descent brings you down to the floor of the Oisans Valley, starting point of the most famous switchbacks in cycling – Alpe d’Huez.
- Col du Lautaret (2058 meters)
- Col du Galibier (2642 meters)
- Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 meters)
- Alpe d’Huez (1815 meters)
This Etape is ‘epic’ in more than just its parcours, however. It will be the 70th anniversary of the very first TDF finish at altitude (1952), which was, of course, Alpe d’Huez (winner: Fausto Coppi). Your route is also an exact replica of the famous 1986 Alpe d’Huez finish where Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault finished hand in hand to seal Lemond’s overall win that year.
44|5 Cycling Tours, like all previous years, will have quality accommodation situated close to the start/finish. We will pick you up at Geneva airport and from then on all your transport, most meals and accommodation is taken care of. We can even arrange a high-performance carbon-fiber bike for you on request. Let us take care of the logistics and support so you can make the most of your Etape weekend.
INCLUDED
Tour Price
Tour Price- Double occupancy: €1340 (includes event entry)
- Single Supplement: €600
- Deposit: €500 per person
- Registration to the event.
- 3 nights chalet accommodation
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- Pick-up and drop-off at Geneva Airport (GVA)
- Transport to/from Etape ‘village’
- Drop-off at race start; pick-up at finish
- Expert guides to see to your needs
- 44|5 Cycling Tours jersey and water bottle
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to/from Geneva (i.e. flights)
- Lunches and drinks outside dinner
- Hotels before/after your tour
Bikes – through our rental partner, France Bike Rentals, you can have a bike waiting for you at the race village when you arrive.Due to an extreme bike shortage in Europe, we won’t be able to guarantee rentals in 2022- Travel insurance (we highly recommend you purchase a travel insurance policy that also covers your bike)
Day to Day
After greeting you at the arrival airport on Friday and transferring to our chalet near the Altiport of Alpe d’Huez, we’ll build and adjust bikes, making sure they are ready for the big day. Saturday morning’s visit to Briancon to pick-up race numbers and enjoy the ambiance will be followed by a short afternoon shake-out ride. A nutritious dinner will ensure your body is primed for tomorrow’s challenge.
Be ready for a very early morning wake-up call on Sunday in order to deliver you to your race pen on time. Now it’s all up to you and your legs, but 44|5 will be there at the finish line to applaud your effort and ensure your comfort. Tonight’s celebratory dinner will heighten spirits and cement friendships as we recount tales of our exploits on the bike. Monday morning’s transfer back to the airport will be bitter-sweet, but there is always next year.
Accommodations
Namika Chalet
Your home for the Etape du Tour 2022 is Chalet Namika, a large traditional mountain chalet just 2 km from the finish line. The chalet has en-suite bathrooms for every room, a spacious lounge, spa, and most importantly, just a spin away from the finish line!
Dates & Prices
Tour Dates – July 8-11, 2022
Tour Availability – Sold Out
Price Per Person – €1340
Single Supplement – €600
Not the best date for you? Contact us to create a custom trip.
Travel Details
Arrival Airport – Geneva (GVA)
Pick-up Point – Geneva Airport
Departure Airport – Geneva (GVA)
Flight Time – Book a flight out for early afternoon or later
Gallery
What our Guests have to say about our Etape Travel Package
Great Trip
Great trip, very well organised by John and Gerry, beautiful accommodation and good food. Would definitely recommend.
Natasha
Book these guys now!
In November 2016 I reserved a spot with 44-5 to ride Etape Du Tour 2017. Absolutely zero regrets and will recommend John and Gerry to all. If you want a personalized first-class experience with owners who have deep knowledge, want you to succeed, and are top-shelf guys-, book with 44-5.
Todd - Canada
Wonderful Experience
Big thank you to John and Gerry for great Etape experience. Could not have wished for anything different. Great organisation, very helpful, and delightfully friendly. I will cherish the experience.
Naomi - UK
Cannot recommend highly enough
Third time I have been on a tour with these guys, this time to do the Etape du tour from Megeve to Morzine. Everything ran like clockwork (no mean feat given the vast amount of organisation and logistics involved) and the accommodation and food were fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. I cannot recommend 445… Read more “Cannot recommend highly enough”
Stuart