Etape du Tour 2017 Sportive

The Etape du Tour is probably the most famous sportive in the world and is the only chance each year to ride the same route as the pro riders in the Tour de France on closed roads.

Approximately 15,000 places are available for the 2016 Etape du Tour, which for 2017 will start in Briancon and conclude with a summit finish atop the Col d'Izoard. Click here to read our 2017 Etape du Tour route analysis.

Registration for the 2017 Etape du Tour opened at 7am (UK time) on 21 October 2016 at www.asochallenges.com.

Entries will probably sell out in early January 2017 (based on previous year's sales) but there will still be places available through tour groups who sell packages that includes entries.

The Etape has become incredibly popular among British riders and in 2015 around 35% of entrants were from the UK.

One of the hardest choices is to decide whether to go to the Etape as part of an organised group or whether to make your own arrangements. A good travel company may cost a bit more but it can make life an awful lot easier as they pick you up from the airport, organise getting to the start and being picked up from the finish and often have their own feed stations along the Etape route. Read our guide to Etape du Tour travel operators to see who we recommend. However if you plan well in advance and are part of a group of riders you will save a lot of money making your own plans. Remember that it is very unlikely that you will want to cycle home an extra 55km after finishing the Etape so making sure you are able to get home easily is important.

Read Paul Hunt's 2015 Etape du Tour ride report
Read Alex Voake's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report
Read James Andrew's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report
Read Chris Walker's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report