Cycling stars such as Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon have made their name at the Tour de l’Avenir - the under 23 Tour de France - for over half a century. For the first time this year, amateur cyclists will get the opportunity to say they were at the coronation of tomorrow's champion with the launch of a new multi-stage sportive running alongside the race.
The Tour de l’Avenir cyclosportive (30 August – 1 September) is a three-day mountain event giving amateurs the opportunity to experience life as a pro, riding the same course earlier the same day.
You can either ride the whole route or enjoy the hospitality in the VIP Village with race ambassador Bernard Hinault and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, watch the elite riders depart and just ride the final 60km or so of the course; the choice is yours. Which ever option you choose, you can grab a quick shower, sit back and watch the climax of the race in the VIP area. If you don’t fancy riding, you can even follow the race in a team car.
Riding the Tour de l'Avenir will see you hobnob with Hinault
The three stages involved in the sportive are:
- Thursday 30 August, Seyssel – Valloire; including Col du Telegraphe & Col du Cucheron
- Friday 31 August, Valloire - Saisies; including Col de la Madeleine and Les Saisies
- Saturday 1September, Beaufort – Grand-Bornand; including Col de la Colombiere
It’s organised by AlpesVelo, who have chosen Alpcycles.com as the exclusive UK tour operator. The company, who first linked up with AlpesVelo in 2011 with the similarly styled Alpes Open Tour and Tour de l'Ain events, have vast experience in organising Alpine cycling holidays.
Their weekend Pro Pack package (29 August – 2 September) for the Tour de l'Avenir starts from £1,500 for a shared twin room, rising to £1,660 for a single. Included, as well as everything mentioned already, is a team car and guide on the road, transfers from the airport and during each stage, insurance, feed stations, mechanical help, four nights accommodation in the same hotel as the pros, and breakfast and dinner.
Launched today (Sunday 1 April) is the event's website, which you can view here. As much of the content is in French only, Alpcycles are updating their site to include details of all three events and the packages they offer for their British customers.
