Two Etapes du Tour will once again run in 2012, following stages 11 and 16 in the Alps and Pyrenees respectively.
The Etape, a sportive run over the same route as a stage of the Tour de France, was expanded to two dates in 2011 to cater for the popularity of the event.
Act I (stage 11) in the Alps will take place on 8 July 2012, covering a 140km route from Albertville to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles that takes in four climbs – the Col de la Madeleine, Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Mollard before the final climb to the ski station of La Toussuire.
Act II (stage 16) is the tougher of the two stages and will be run on 14 July 2012. It’s over the huge distance of 197km from the Pyrenean town of Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon, climbing the Tourmalet, Soulor, Aubisque, Aspin and Peyresourde.
More details to follow when we have them.
Do you plan to ride? Which stage takes your fancy? Tell us in the forum.
