Five days before the pros take it on, 16,000 cyclists from 90 countries rode the same punishing route as stage 19 of the 2025 Tour de France – from Albertville to La Plagne, over 131km and five major climbs totalling 4,500 metres of elevation. The 33rd edition of L’Étape du Tour de France was won by France’s Victor Vidal and Germany’s Stephanie Meder, but this was a day filled with personal triumphs, emotional moments and alpine memories for every finisher.
A brutal course through the Savoie mountains
Riders were greeted by the first climb within a few kilometres: the 11.3km ascent of Héry-sur-Ugine at 5%, a warm-up for the punishing parcours ahead. The Col des Saisies (13.7km at 6.4%) followed, before the route dropped into Beaufort and tackled the steep Col du Pré – 12.6km averaging 7.7%. From there, it was straight into the second half of the Cormet de Roselend climb (5.9km at 6.3%) before reaching Bourg Saint-Maurice, where the final ordeal began: 19km to La Plagne at 7.2% average.
In all, the route mirrored the Tour de France’s stage 19, set to be raced by the peloton on 25th July, and was one of the hardest in L’Étape’s history.
Vidal and Meder shine on the slopes of La Plagne
Victor Vidal, a 26-year-old former mountain biker from Montpellier, claimed the biggest win of his amateur career after attacking on the final climb. Riding for CC Étupes this season, Vidal had already impressed with a regional title and 7th at the French amateur championships. On Sunday, he confirmed his promise.
“I was patient at the beginning,” said Vidal. “We made the difference before the Col du Pré. Then on the climb to La Plagne I went alone. It was really tough – I was losing time, but I held on. It’s crazy to win this, I can’t believe it.”
For Vidal, the crowds were just as memorable as the win. “I didn’t expect so many people cheering all along the course. It was wonderful.”
In the women’s race, 30-year-old Stephanie Meder rode from the front all day. The Zurich-based German, who placed 6th at the recent national championships, finished in 5:14:02, nearly four minutes ahead of France’s Aurore Pachet. Swiss rider Selina Burch took third.
“The last climb was so hard I thought I might have to stop,” said Meder, who had support from former winner Stefan Kirchmair. “But it was amazing – the crowds, the route, the landscapes. This was a major goal for my season.”
First-timers, veterans, and stories of the day
For many, the experience went far beyond results. More than 7,000 riders were first-time participants, making up 44% of the peloton. Jean Bachelard, now over 80, completed his eighth L’Étape in 8 hours 13 minutes. “It was steep but beautiful,” he smiled. “I’ll be back next year.”
Julien Faux-Girard and Sébastien Mathelin, cousins and co-owners of a cycling-themed patisserie in Aix-les-Bains, rode together again, crossing the line minutes apart. “It’s always magical,” said Julien. “You feel like you’re in a Tour stage, with all the fans cheering.”
Florent Rodriguez, from near Nice, hit his target of under seven hours by just two minutes. “The descent past the waterfalls was incredible,” he said. “It’s something every cyclist should do once.”
28-year-old Mathilde Mongeau, from Toulouse and part of Hutchinson x She Rides, fulfilled a childhood dream by finishing in 8:35. “As a kid I cheered from the Pyrenees roadsides,” she said. “Today, I got to ride a stage myself.”
More than 670 riders took part for charitable causes, raising over €450,000 in total. French heart surgery charity Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque had 420 riders alone.
Looking ahead: L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes
A new chapter begins on Saturday 2nd August with the first edition of L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The event, open to all, follows the exact course of stage 8 of the Tour de France Femmes, from Chambéry to the summit of the Col de la Madeleine – either 100km (2,950m elevation) or 112km (3,490m elevation). Entries are still open.
With the Tour de France peloton set to take on the same roads on 25th July, the amateur riders of L’Étape will watch knowing exactly what it takes. For some, it may even be the start of something more. For all, it was a ride they’ll never forget.
