The 3 must-do European Cyclosportives

There is a massive choice of Cyclosportives these days, both in the UK, in Europe and further afield. In our minds here at Sports Tours International there are 3 Cyclosportives that every serious cyclist should have done at least once. Read below when they are and what makes them great.

The Etape du Tour

When: Sunday 8 July, 2018
Where: From Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, French Alps
Field: 15000 riders
Distance: 169km
Ascent: 4200m
Climbs: Plateau des Glieres, Col de la Colombiere, Col de Romme
Accessibility: Fly into Geneva or drive
Entry availability: Entries are already sold out on the Etape du Tour website. Guaranteed entries with Sports Tours International
What’s so special about it?: This is your chance to ride a stage of the Tour de France, the greatest cycle race in the world. Every year you have the opportunity to test yourself against the riders of the pro Peloton on the exact same course on closed roads. The stage which is chosen usually alternates between a Pyrenean and an Alpine stage but in 2016, 2017 and now 2018, we break with this tradition as we are in the Alps again. I guess it’s not a tradition anymore if you break with it too often?! With many Pros now present on Strava, you can even have a look to see how you did against their speed, power output and heart rate.

Why book with the 2018 Etape du Tour with Sports Tours International?

  • A choice of hotels in Annecy
  • Guaranteed entry into the Etape du Tour*
  • Overland door to door bike transport from the UK*
  • Bike rental options*
  • Airport transfers from Geneva on Friday and Saturday for your arrival and on Monday for your departure*
  • A professional race briefing in Annecy
  • 2 additional food and support stops on the route
  • Mechanical support from our team of pro mechanics
  • Transport back to Annecy after the finish in Le Grand Bornand

*These options are available as stand alone options or with a travel package

BOOK THE 2018 ETAPE DU TOUR NOW or email us here if you have any questions – email us

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La Marmotte Alps

When: Sunday 8 July, 2018 (same day as the Etape)
Where: From Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez
Field: 8500 riders
Distance: 170km
Ascent: 5000m
Climbs: Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, Alpe d’huez climb
Accessibility: Fly into Geneva or Lyon or drive
Entry availability: On sale in December, guaranteed entries with Sports Tours
What’s so special about it?: The Granfondo Marmotte is an extremely tough event. It is a 170km Alpine climbing bonanza between Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez with 5000m of climbing. The event does not take place on closed roads but there are rolling road closures. The Marmotte is a firm favourite for foreign riders with the field containing just 20% French riders. Previous winners of the Marmotte include Dutchman Laurens ten Dam before he turned pro. There are no cut off points en-route but you have to get to the bottom of Alpe d’Huez before 18.30 otherwise you will not be allowed to start the climb and you will be taken up to your hotel by car. In 2015 the Marmotte took place on an adjusted course without the Galibier as the Tunnel du Chambon was closed and it was also extremely hot that day. In 2016 we were back on the ‘classic’ route.

Why book with the 2018 Marmotte with Sports Tours International?

  • A choice of hotels in Alpe d’Huez
  • Guaranteed entry into the Marmotte*
  • Overland door to door bike transport from the UK*
  • Airport transfers from Geneva on Friday for your arrival and on Monday for your departure*
  • A professional race briefing in Alpe d’Huez
  • 2 additional food and support stops on the route
  • Mechanical support from our team of pro mechanics

*These options are available as stand alone options or with a travel package

BOOK THE 2018 MARMOTTE ALPS NOW or email us here if you have any questions – email us

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Maratona dles Dolomites

The Maratona dles Dolomites is widely regarded as one of the toughest cycling events around, packing in a lot of climbing despite its relatively ‘short’ distance
When: Sunday July 1, 2018
Where: Italian Dolomites
Field: 8500 riders
Distance: 138km
Ascent: 4100m
Climbs: Passo Campologno, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Valparola, Mur DL Giat
Accessibility: Fly into Venice Marco Polo or Treviso airport and take our airport transfer
Entry availability: On sale in December, sold out within a day, guaranteed entries with Sports Tours
What’s so special about it?: Not because of the distance but the amount of climbing packed into the route. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016, the Maratona is held in the beautiful Italian Dolomites. This is a quality event, from the event itself and its flawless organisation to the hotel standard. Even though the Maratona dles Dolomites is not one of the longest, it makes up for it with the amount of climbing. It manages to pack 4190m of climbing into its 138km course and as you’ll soon discover the climbs are steeper, in general, than both the Alps and Pyrenees!

The race can be done in 3 different ways of varying difficulty: the Sellaronda course, the Middle course and the Maratona course. All riders start at 06:30am in the village of La Villa and the Sellaronda course with 4 mountain passes will be completed first. After completing the Sellaronda course riders can either choose to finish the race or carry on and do the Middle course. As the full Maratona course is basically an extension of the preceding shorter Middle course, riders who want to tackle the full Maratona dles Dolomites have to do the middle course after the Sella Ronda course.

Why book with the 2018 Maratona with Sports Tours International?

  • A choice of hotels in Alta Badia
  • Guaranteed entry into the Maratona
  • Overland door to door bike transport from the UK*
  • Airport transfers from Venice on Thursday for your arrival and on Monday for your departure*
  • A professional race briefing in Corvaria in Alta Badia
  • 1 additional food and support stop on the route
  • Mechanical support from our team of pro mechanics

*These options are available as stand alone options or with a travel package

BOOK THE 2018 MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES NOW or email us here if you have any questions – email us

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