L’Étape by Tour de France Series Calendar 2026
Source: https://www.letapeseries.com/
The global event calendar for the L’Étape by Tour de France Series provides amateur cyclists the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the Tour de France across various continents.
2026 Global Calendar
January
- Jan 25: L’Étape Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
March
- Mar 01: L’Étape La Paz (Mexico)
April
- Apr 04: L’Étape Greece (Sparta, Greece)
- Apr 04: L’Étape Cunha (Brazil)
May
- May 31: L’Étape Piemonte (Entracque, Italy)
- May 31: L’Étape Encarnación (Paraguay)
June
- Jun 07: L’Étape Marmaris (Türkiye)
- Jun 13: L’Étape Trondheim (Norway)
- Jun 14: L’Étape Poland (Zakopane, Poland)
- Jun 20: L’Étape Czech Republic #1 (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Jun 27: L’Étape Denmark (Viborg, Denmark)
- Jun 28: L’Étape Serra Negra (Brazil)
- Jun 29: L’Étape Tlaxcala (Mexico)
July
- Jul 05: L’Étape Bulgaria (Peshtera, Bulgaria)
- Jul 19: L’Étape du Tour de France (Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez, France) – The flagship event replicating Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France.
August
- Aug 01: L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (France)
- Aug 22: L’Étape Slovakia (Bratislava, Slovakia)
- Aug 31: L’Étape Romania (Bucharest, Romania)
September
- Sep 06: L’Étape Slovenia (Kranj, Slovenia)
- Sep 06: L’Étape Tabasco (Mexico)
- Sep 13: L’Étape San Bernardino (Paraguay)
- Sep 13: L’Étape Costa Rica
- Sep 13: L’Étape Leshan (China)
- Sep 20: L’Étape Türkiye (Istanbul, Türkiye)
- Sep 20: L’Étape Mondovì (Italy)
- Sep 27: L’Étape Campos do Jordão (Brazil)
- Sep 28: L’Étape Ireland (Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland)
October
- Oct 03: L’Étape Sun Moon Lake (Taiwan)
- Oct 04: L’Étape Czech Republic #2 (Pardubice, Czech Republic)
- Oct 04: L’Étape Mysuru (India)
November
- Nov 01: L’Étape Chile (Valdivia, Chile)
- Nov 16: L’Étape Ciudad de México (Mexico)
Note: Dates and specific venue arrangements can sometimes experience minor modifications. You can check specific route profiles, distances, and registration links for individual events directly on the official portal at letapeseries.com.
History of L’Étape du Tour
The history of L’Étape by Tour de France is a story of turning an elite, professional spectacle into a global, participatory movement. What began as a single-day event in France has evolved into the world’s premier amateur cycling franchise, bringing the atmosphere of the Tour de France to thousands of riders across the globe.
1. The Genesis: L’Étape du Tour (1993)
The history of the series originates with L’Étape du Tour (The Stage of the Tour). It was conceived in 1993 by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)—the owners and organizers of the Tour de France.
The original concept was revolutionary but simple: give amateur cyclists the opportunity to experience the exact same conditions as a professional Tour rider.
- The Inaugural Event: On July 11, 1993, approximately 1,700 riders took off from Tarbes to Pau over a grueling 208-kilometer course that included the legendary Col du Tourmalet.
- The Promise: What made it unique (and remains its trademark) was that it took place on entirely closed roads with full mechanical, medical, and crowd support, usually held on a rest day of the actual Tour de France.
2. Rapid Growth and the Golden Era (1994–2010)
The event immediately captured the imagination of cycling enthusiasts. By 1994, registration nearly doubled when the race tackled Alpe d’Huez.
Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, L’Étape grew into a cycling bucket-list institution. Legendary champions like Greg LeMond, Miguel Induráin, and Raymond Poulidor frequently lined up alongside amateurs.
- Milestone Routes: In 2000, the race finished on the infamous Mont Ventoux in scorching 40°C (104°F) heat, cementing its reputation as a brutal, epic challenge.
- The Demand Boom: By the mid-2000s, demand for entries massively outstripped supply. To accommodate this, ASO briefly introduced a dual-event format (holding two separate Étapes on different weekends replicating different stages of the Tour) before reverting to a single flagship event to maximize safety and focus.
3. Birth of the Global “L’Étape Series”
Recognizing the massive global appetite for the Tour de France brand, ASO decided to bring the concept of L’Étape to international borders. This expansion officially birthed the L’Étape by Tour de France Series.
Instead of requiring fans to travel to France, the series began partnering with local organizers around the world to curate local courses accredited by ASO. These events mimic the French flagship by offering:
- Fully closed or rolling-traffic-controlled roads.
- The official Tour de France classification jerseys (the Yellow Jersey for the overall leader, Polka Dot for the king/queen of the mountains, Green for the sprint section, and White for the best young rider).
- Official Tour de France branding and “Race Villages.”
Early international versions sprouted in places like Australia, the UK, South Africa, and South Korea. Over the years, the footprint expanded extensively across Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Chile), Europe (Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Greece, Ireland, Türkiye), and Asia (China, Thailand, Taiwan, India).
4. Introduction of the L’Étape Championship
To unite the global series, organizers introduced the L’Étape Championship. This concept creates a competitive bridge between the international events and the flagship race in France.
Riders who secure a top-3 podium finish in any international L’Étape by Tour de France event around the world automatically qualify for the first wave of the main L’Étape du Tour de France. This allows national winners from places like Brazil, Mexico, or the Czech Republic to compete directly against each other on the legendary cols of France.
5. Modern Evolution: Inclusivity & Women’s Cycling
Today, the L’Étape series reaches roughly 20-30 different destinations worldwide annually, hosting tens of thousands of riders.
The series has adapted to broader cycling demographics:
- Multiple Distances: Most events now offer a punishing “Race” (long-distance, high elevation) and a shorter, more accessible “Ride” or “Lite” version.
- The Women’s Pelotons: Following the successful resurgence of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the series expanded to host dedicated L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes events, further driving the growth of amateur women’s competitive cycling globally.
From 1,700 pioneering cyclists in the Pyrenees in 1993, the L’Étape Series has transformed into a massive international community, allowing everyday athletes to live out their professional cycling dreams.
