Six reasons to sign up to L’Étape du Tour de France 2025 with Alzheimer’s Research UK

In its 33rd year for 2025, L’Étape du Tour de France is a truly special ride that’s on the bucket list of many a cyclist. Join around 16,000 others on 20 July, all riding for their own reasons: to race, to simply complete the route, to raise money for a charity close to their heart. This year’s entire route takes place in the Savoie region of France — from Albertville to La Plagne — and directly replicates stage 19 of the Tour de France. You’ll cycle 131km, tackling five cols and 4,500 metres of ascent along the way. That’s no easy feat, but one that will bring a huge amount of satisfaction.

An event that every cyclist should experience at least once, it sells out fast, with all general entries for 2025 already snapped up. You can still grab a ticket to ride, however, and do it for a good cause too — that’s a win-win in our eyes. By taking up a charity place, you’ll be raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity that funds essential research to revolutionise the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented.

Registration is just £75 and open to anyone over 18, with a minimum sponsorship of £650 per rider. Sign up today and take part in this unforgettable experience.

Read on for six reasons we think you should sign up for L’Étape du Tour de France with Alzheimer’s Research UK.

1. Raise money for a very worthy cause

You’re doing it for all the right reasons if you sign up to ride for charity (and it should give you even more motivation, both to train and on the day itself). Dementia devastates lives. One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime — either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. By riding for Alzheimer’s Research UK, you're raising money for an extremely worthwhile cause. Your efforts will contribute towards pioneering research into finding a cure for dementia, something that can't happen soon enough.

When you sign up to ride for Alzheimer’s Research UK by paying a registration fee of £75, you have to commit to raising £650. You’ll get entry into the ride, a free Alzheimer’s Research UK cycling jersey and a host of advice and tips for fundraising.

2. Feel like a pro for a day, and climb the same mountains as Tour de France riders

This is a big one, and a reason many cyclists want to take part. L’Étape du Tour de France translates as ‘a stage of the Tour de France’ and that’s exactly what you get. It's the next best thing to riding the Tour de France, and will no doubt leave you feeling like a professional cyclist.

The amateur event is organised by ASO, the organisers of the Tour de France, so you get the exact same route, which passes through the same towns and villages and, most importantly, tackles the same monster climbs. There’s also Mavic mechanical assistance (both roaming and stationary) and the roads are completely closed (more on this later). Medical assistance and feed stations are also included for all riders. As you’d expect from such a high profile company, the organisation is excellent — from signing up to after the event, when you’ll probably be keen to check out your ride photos.

L’Étape always takes place on a mountain stage and this year it follows Stage 19, from Albertville to the ski station at La Plagne (yes, that means it finishes up a very very long climb). For the Tour de France riders, this will be the last true mountain stage, and follows on from the Queen’s stage. Your breath will be taken away by more than just the beautiful vistas. There are four cols to tackle before you climb up to the finish: Côte d’Héry-sur-Ugin (11.3km, 5.1% average gradient); Col des Saisies (13.7km, 6.4% average gradient); Col du Pré (12.6km, 7.7% average gradient); Cormet de Roselen (5.9km, 6.3% average gradient).

Getting to La Plagne, where you cross the line, is the fifth and final challenge, and one you won't forget. Longer, at 19.1km, the average gradient is 7.2%. You can count down the 24 hairpins to get to the top at 2,052 metres, where you’re sure to feel an overwhelming mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

While you’re riding up those five mountains, motivate yourself with the thought of the pros doing it just five days later, with 18 days of racing already in their legs!

3. Closed roads

Riding 130km on entirely closed roads is not something you get to experience very often, but that’s what L'Étape gives you. You’ll ride under the same conditions as the professionals, so you can climb undistracted by overtaking vehicles and descend without the fear of an oncoming car. Enjoy the silence and focus of motor-free roads, the company of a huge number of cyclists, the support of spectators and nothing else.

This is a timed event and you’ll get a schedule in advance with information about cut-off times and locations of feed stations. Participants will also be provided with a map of all the roads that will be closed, and related timings, so non-cycling family and friends can come and cheer you on.

4. Beautiful scenery

Cycling in the mountains is always special. The Savoie region is stunning, and you’ll ride through pretty villages, past lakes, in valleys and up mountains.

The route will give you something to focus on and distract you from the gruelling task at hand. If you’re staying on for a few days after the ride, you can think about how you’ll enjoy the area in a more relaxing way.

5. Enjoy the unique experience and camaraderie of riding with thousands of other cyclists

Ask anyone who has taken part in a mass participation event such as L'Étape du Tour de France and they will likely tell you that sharing the experience with so many other people is top of the list of what they enjoyed most.

The atmosphere that comes with this ride is unique and unforgettable. Whether you end up chatting to a fellow cyclist, get into a group for some protection from the wind, or just suffer in silence with others around you — it’s all part of the camaraderie. It’s a friendly ride — remember, you’re all in it together!

6. You have a target to train for

Finding the motivation to get fitter or stronger can be hard at times and you might even feel like riding such a tough event is unrealistic. It doesn’t have to be, so don't let that though deter you. Signing up and using L'Étape as a target will kickstart your training and keep you going through the low points. You may want to get around the route in a specific time, but even if completion is your aim, you can find some inspiration and ideas for workouts in our training plans.

There are only four months to go until the big day, and places are going fast. Sign up to today for L’Étape du Tour de France 2025 with Alzheimer’s Research UK.