Sports Tours International have secured up to 2,000 entries for the 2011 Etape du Tour double-header.

The fabled cyclo-sportive, which runs over a stage of the Tour de France, will take place twice next year.

The shorter of the two rides takes place on July 11 and will follow stage 19 of the Tour – 109km from Modane to Alp d’Huez via the Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier.

The second event will take place on July 17 and follows the 208km medium mountains route from Issoire and to Saint-Flour – stage nine of the Tour.

“The Etape is one of the most important dates of the year for experienced cyclists,” said Sports Tours International’s head of commercial Brendan Fox.

“With the event now being held on two separate dates we have the opportunity to take over double the amount of cyclists we have done in previous years.

“We hope that this will encourage more people and businesses to undertake the challenge and use it as an opportunity to raise more money for charity or set a personal goal.”

For more information on how to book with Sports Tours International visit www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk