Overview
Etape du Tour – July 4th, 2021
Distance: 177 km, Total Elevation: 3570 m
The rescheduled 2021 Etape du Tour begins and finishes on the glittering shores of Nice, France. The 30th anniversary Etape du Tour replicates Stage 2 of the 2020 Tour de France, minus the final circuit in Nice that will be raced twice in the Tour and once in the Etape. You’ll remember this stage because it was won by Julian Alaphilippe after a blistering attack on the last climb of the day.
To celebrate 30 years of the Etape du Tour, ASO have chosen a very different and unique type of route, starting and finishing in the same place and staying out of the high mountains. It will not be a walk in the park, however, with 177 km and two large climbs:
- Col de la Colmiane: 16.3 km @ 6.3%
- Col de Turini: 14.9 km @ 7.4%
The finishing circuit adds one more famous difficulty with the Col d’Eze (7.8 km @ 6.1%), a mainstay for many decades in the Paris-Nice race each March.
44|5 Cycling Tours, like all previous years, will have high-quality accommodation situated close to the start/finish. We will pick you up at Nice 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.
EXTENSION PACKAGE (optional)
Like previous years, we will be offering clients the option to stay on with us and do some outstanding riding after the Etape is finished.
Price: €1875/pp sharing + €350 single supplement
Our Extension Tour allows us to transfer from our Etape hotel, and return to another close-by hotel, by bike. Both Day 2 and Day 5 will be beautiful rides through the Nice/Provence backcountry, and plenty challenging. The highlight of this option is the Day 3 – Gorges du Verdon Loop. It’s just spectacular! There is also a lesser known 2015 TDF climb called la Colle Saint-Michel on Day 4.
We’ll stay 3 nights in a pretty little village called Castallena, at the 3-star Hotel du Commerce, which has a nice ambiance and pool/garden area. The village offers a good selection of restaurants / cafés and is quite charming. Upon our return to Vence on Day 5, we’ll stay at the Hotel Floréal, before transferring you to Nice airport the morning of July 11th.
Itinerary
Day 1 (July 6): Our extra day at the Villa Roseraie doing whatever you guys would like (short ride, Nice visit, pool time, etc)
Day 2 (July 7): Transfer Ride to Castallena: ~84km (~2000m). Stay at Hotel du Commerce.
Day 3 (July 8): Gorges du Verdon Loop: ~110km (~2400m). This gives us the option to do it on Day 4 in case of weather.
Day 4 (July 9): Lac de Castillon Loop: ~95km (~2000m). A loop north out of Castellane along the lake and up to 2015 TDF climb called La Colle Saint-Michel.
Day 5 (July 10): Transfer Ride to Vence: ~80km (~1700m). Stay at local Nice backcountry hotel.
Day 6 (July 11): Depart Nice airport in morning
INCLUDED
Tour Price
Tour Price- Double occupancy: €1340 (includes event entry)
- Single Supplement: €200
- Deposit: €500 per person
- Registration to the event.
- 3 nights accommodation in the medieval village of Vence
- All breakfasts and dinners
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- Pick-up and drop-off at Nice Airport (NCE)
- 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 Nice (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.
- 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 hotel overlooking the Mediterranean, we’ll build and adjust bikes, making sure they are ready for the big day. Saturday morning’s visit to the Etape village 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 an 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
LE FLOREAL
Your home for the Etape du Tour 2020 is Hotel Le Floreal, a cycling-friendly property just steps from the historic center of medieval Vence. The hotel has a lovely garden and pool and is 30 minutes from the start/finish line of your event!
Dates & Prices
Tour Dates – July 2-5, 2021
Tour Availability – Sold out
Price Per Person – €1340
Single Supplement – €200
Not the best date for you? Contact us to create a custom trip.
Travel Details
Arrival Airport – Nice (NCE)
Pick-up Point – Nice Airport (arrivals)
Departure Airport – Nice (NCE)
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
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
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