L'Étape du Tour (EN)

Cycling-Matters.com is pleased to announce that we are the official L'Étape du Tour Partner for Switzerland - German, Italian, and French speakers (English, Dutch and others, also welcome, you must be a Swiss resident). We are accepting bookings for places. Please email us if you wish to participate or want more information.

L’Étape du Tour 2007 : Foix – Loudenvielle, 196 kms. Monday 16^th July 2007

L’Étape is back in the Pyrenees on a route never taken before.

We are accepting pre-registrations now, and subject to the terms and conditions of Velo Magazine L’Étape du Tour, and acceptance of your payment I can guarantee your participation.

L’Étape du Tour 2007 will start in Foix on 16th July 2007. Foix sits on the River Ariège which flows down the valley carrying mountain water from the Pyrenees. The area is rich in history and especially that of the Cathars. Foix has a pretty little castle, nearby is Montsegur (sacked in the 13th century), and where the Knights Templar were rumored to have hid. At Carcasonne , there is a really impressive castle.

The route of L’Étape du Tour crosses five cols before arriving in Loudenvielle. It will be the same as stage 15 (July 23rd 2007) of the 2007 Tour de France. It is thought to be the second most difficult stage of the Tour de France.

It will probably exit Foix on the D8 heading towards Ferrières-sur-Ariège. The road climbs gently upwards towards Arignac, (look out for the clock Tower on the mountain to the right), and onwards to Tarascon-sur-Ariége. It includes a nice little downhill spurt, and two short but nasty little climbs. These will certainly warm your legs up, if they have not got going already.

From Tarascon the road continues uphill, including a brief pause with a downhill section, before arriving in Saurat. From here the climb to the Col du Port really starts, although it should not present a major challenge. The last three kilometers are relatively easy.

Downhill from the Col du Port is fairly technical. The road surface, whilst not brilliant is ok. For these reasons and especially for the less experienced ‘descendeur’ one should take care. It is probable that the peloton’s which formed between Foix and Tarascon will have partially broken up. Regardless they will start to reform on the way to Massat.

The entrance to Massat is marked by a short climb, then a flick right and downhill. (Left, is the Col d’Agnes, TDF 2004 Basso v Armstrong). After this relax in a good group. The road towards St. Girons is fast and faux plat downhill, along the Gorges de Ribaouto. My guess is that the route will follow the right hand bank of the River Arac after Villeneuve.

This road is probably a disused railway line and it is a one way street towards St. Girons. Along the way are four dark, unlit railway tunnels. None of them are too long. Just do not get to near your neighbor and remember to take your sunglasses off! At Lacourt, the one way street ends. Shortly afterwards you enter St. Girons.

From St. Girons the road is mostly flat until the right hand junction at Audressein. I would strongly suggest that you let the peloton work for you. Robbie McEwan recounts the story that he was advised: ‘the person who wins races, is the one who uses least energy’.

By the time you reach Engomer, (8.5 kms from St. Girons) you will need more liquid (you should do)! Do not worry there is a fountain, with a Tap on the right just before the bridge over the River Lez.

If you miss the fountain in Engomer there is another one in Argein and in St. Lary on the left (at the time of writing it was switched of for winter).

Then the last chance for liquid is again on the left in Portet d’Aspet. There is a tap just before the bridge.

L’Étape du Tour 2006 was about eighty kilometers before you had a chance to rest, (on the descent from the Col d’Izoard). With L’Étape 2007, which is potentially more difficult, you can benefit from others from the Col de Port, to at least Audresson, and probably to Portet d’Aspet. I.e. From kilometre 27 to about kilometer 90 stay in the peloton.

The Col Portet d’Aspet is relatively straight forward. Whilst from St. Lary it has been getting harder. It is only the last three kilometers which are more difficult. The second to last kilometer being just over ten percent. Be careful. The descent is steep: seventeen percent, technical and could be wet. Fun but dangerous.

On the descent we remember Fabio Casartelli who died on his way to hospital after sustaining serious injuries, following a crash at an estimated 88 kph: July 18th, 1995. RIP.

After four and a half kilometers take the left turn towards St. Beat. Then for the next three and a half kilometers it is relatively steep going towards Le Couret Couledoux and the start proper of the climb towards

The Col de Menté kicks up sharply almost from the beginning, and whilst it gets slightly easier towards the top it always felt a bit like doing Alpe d’Huez. Of course it was easier as it was only seven kilometers long instead of fourteen.

The area is really pretty and whilst you are beginning to suffer just a bit. Look around you the views are spectacular.

Once over the top the descent is fast with a good road surface and fairly wide hairpin bends. Very soon you will see the rocks below Cap det Mont, near Lez, and immediately after you arrive in the pretty little town of St. Beat.

At the t-junction turn right, then through the town. Just before the bridge over the Garonne, turn left and then it is gently downhill to Marignac, and right before Cierp-Gaud, and onwards through Esténos and Saléchan.

Shortly after there is a left hand turn and the road runs down to Mauléon-Barousse. Which is another pretty little village with a Chateau straight in your face!

Immediately afterwards you turn right and then at the next bend the Col de Balés starts. Do not be fooled into thinking it is easy. Nor be tempted to cycle too fast over the first seven kilometers.

Take your time, ensure you are well fed and have taken on more than enough liquid. At about kilometer seven it gets a little tougher. Still ok though. Then it starts getting nasty. A little easier at kilometer thirteen.

The problem is that averages are deceiving. Ten percent for one kilometer is OK. If that kilometer has a little flat spot for 300 metres, then you get hit with fourteen percent and worse. From kilometer fourteen it is pretty well like this all the way to the summit. (In my case I ran out of daylight, the fog came down, and I was cold wet and feeling just a bit tired).

Then it is mostly downhill, and again a technical descent. The road surface at the top is new and obviously in good condition. (Unlike the climb up, which has suffered from the occasional rock falls).

You go through some more pretty villages descending through the d’Oueil Valley to the junction of the D618 near St. Aventin.

Again you need to make sure you recover as much as possible as there is still another ten kilometers to go to the Col de Peyresourde.

The steepest bit, and it is only very short, is after four and a half kilometers. The last three kilometers are more difficult than the rest. This would not normally be too bad. For tired legs it will just be the ‘coup de force’. Take heart after the junction signposted to Portet (de-Luchon) there are only four hairpins to go and one and half kilometers. Then that is it, err, almost…

A final fast descent. You will be tired. You must concentrate. Now is no time to have an accident. At first a fairly straight and fast descent, then some hairpin bends, and shortly after a turn left towards Estarvielle and Loudenvielle.

The end is not far, after descending through Estervielle and about two kilometers from the finish: the final climb. A short one kilometer, or slightly less climb which will really test those tired legs.

Then you will see the lake on the right and the signpost for Loudenvielle. The end will be just there. And the welcome village will be in the woods by the lake.

My thanks to Ken Harbaugh who assisted me, and who followed the route in the car with the camera, clip board and GPS. Spending nine hours in the car. Whilst I was out 'enjoying myself' on my bike. Phil. Oh, Yes my legs do hurt!

Send mail to webmaster@cycling-matters.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2005 Cycling Matters Last modified: 07/24/08

Send mail to webmaster@cycling-matters.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 Cycling Matters
Last modified: 07/24/08