The 33rd edition of L'Étape du Tour de France took place on 20 July 2025. 16,000 cycling enthusiasts from 90 nations took up the challenge of completing the 19th stage of the Tour de France 2025 from Albertville to La Plagne. The route covered 131 kilometres and included five climbs with a total of 4,500 metres of elevation gain. For 44 per cent of the participants, it was their first time taking part in this legendary amateur race. The route began with the climb to Héry-sur-Ugine (11.3 kilometres at a gradient of 5 per cent), followed by the Col des Saisies (13.7 kilometres at 6.4 per cent). After a descent, the Col du Pré awaited with 12.6 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.7 per cent. Via the Chapelle de Roselend, the route continued to the Cormet de Roselend (5.9 kilometres at 6.3 per cent). The final climb to La Plagne was 19 kilometres long with a gradient of 7.2 per cent.
L'Étape du Tour: Victories for Vidal and Meder
In the men's race, 26-year-old Frenchman Victor Vidal came out on top. The former mountain biker was able to pull away at the Col du Pré and defend his lead to the finish. Vidal completed the course in a time of 4:23:53 hours. The 30-year-old German Stephanie Meder triumphed in the women's race in 5:14:02 hours. She led from the start and distanced second-placed Aurore Pachet by 3:47 minutes. The 30-year-old from Messkirch revealed her big goal to TOUR editor Andreas Kublik: she wants to start at the Tour de France Femmes - three years after she started cycling (see TOUR Liveblog). She currently rides for the small club team Embrace The World. She finished sixth at this year's DM road race, but did not attract the interest of the professional teams. Meder's next event is the Tour de France Femmes amateur race on 2 August.
L'Étape du Tour: bwide field of participants
L'Étape du Tour de France attracted cyclists of all ages. Over 80-year-old Jean Bachelard finished the race for the eighth time in 8:13 hours. Families and friends also took advantage of the event to share experiences together. Cousins Julien Faux-Girard and Sébastien Mathelin reached the finish line after around six and a half hours. Florent Rodriguez from Nice beat his target of seven hours with a time of 6:58. More than 670 participants used the race to raise money for charity. 420 cyclists alone started for the French heart surgery foundation Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque. A total of over 450,000 euros was raised through the charity campaigns.
Outlook for professional races
On 25 July, the professionals of the Tour de France will tackle the same route. Participants in L'Étape du Tour de France will then have the opportunity to compare their own experiences with the performances of the world-class athletes.
L'Étape du Tour de France Femmes
L'Étape du Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift takes place for the first time on 2 August. The race from Chambéry to the Col de la Madeleine is open to women and men. Participants can choose between 112 kilometres with 3,490 metres of ascent or 100 kilometres with 2,950 metres of ascent. The event takes place on the same day and on the same route as the 8th stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
