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2021 HAUTE ROUTE ALPS Sold Out After Just 2 Weeks  Entries for the iconic, seven-day Haute Route Alps have now completely sold out; just two weeks after general registration opened. 27 AUGUST 2020.  One of the most famous bucket list global cycling events has already exhausted entries for its 2021 edition. Here at Sports Tours International, we’ve been taking riders to the Haute Route since the very first edition in 2011. Over the past decade we have learned exactly what it takes to finish the mammoth Haute Route Challenge. Our expert services, including additional private feed stations and stage day transfers, will make every day a little more manageable. The experienced Sports Tours International team includes keen riders and former pro mechanics. Many of them are Haute Route finishers themselves, so can give you personal insight from their Haute Route experiences. It would appear that riders are well and truly ready to hit the road again, after a frustrating spell of m...

“Travel agents are amazing professionals who have an expertise, and that’s why I want to use them.” This Morning host and celebrated journalist Eamonn Holmes is among the countless faces coming forward to speak out in favour of the travel industry, as we face this challenging and uncertain time. The broadcaster went on to comment on how booking through an agent or official tour operator is, “…a really good way to maximise your protection [when things go wrong].”  But what does that mean? How can you  KNOW  you are protected when you book to travel with Sports Tours International? For more information on the ways you’re protected, when you book with Sports Tours International, please see here. Holmes went on to comment that; ” These guys [tour operators and travel agents] are the experts in that field, so why not use them?” This is something we have always been passionate about at Sports Tours International. After almost 50 years of operations, we are as dedic...

So, 2020 hasn’t gone to plan. There’s a good chance that some, if not all of your races and events have been cancelled, or at the very least postponed. With legendary events such as L’ Etape du Tour being shelved until next summer, and mass event postponements, even for the at the very highest level of riders; it is fair to say that the entire cycling community has felt the impact of the global COVID – 19 pandemic. However, with virtual group rides, races, and challenges; there are still ways to have a great time on two wheels in 2020. With the likes of the Zwift Tour for All, the IRONMAN Virtual Club; staying fit and adding to your medal collection, is still very much on the table in 2020. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, or triathlete; a beginner or a seasoned vet, there is something out there for everyone. In most cases, you can take on your challenge anywhere (including indoors), at a time to suit you. The only thing you need to do is enter. The Virtual TDF and Etape du Tou...

So, your A race was cancelled. Maybe all your races were cancelled, or at the very least postponed. From Parkruns and small city 10ks, to the legendary World Marathon Majors ; it is fair to say that the entire running community has felt the impact of the global COVID – 19 pandemic. But, even if your season hasn’t gone entirely to plan, that doesn’t mean you need to let all your training and hard work go to waste. Virtual challenges and remote races are here, and, I would say, here to stay. With the likes of the Zwift Tour for All, the IRONMAN Virtual Club and the countless big city marathons that have taken to the internet this season; staying fit and, importantly, adding to you medal collection is still very much on the table for 2020. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, or triathlete; a beginner or a seasoned vet, there is something for everyone. Most of these virtual events can be run (or ridden) anywhere (including indoors), at a time to suit you. The only thing you need to do is en...

The biggest events of the worldwide Marathon calendar are those that make up a series called the Abbott World Marathon Majors. These include, in date order: Tokyo Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, The Boston Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon. With the rise in popularity of running across the world, the most popular international running events are getting increasingly difficult to get into. In general there are a few set ways in which you can get hold of an entry into one of the World Marathon Majors which are: Running really fast.  A lot of events have a ‘ Good for Age ‘ programme which means that if you run below the time limit for your age then you may be eligible for direct entry into the event. Qualifying times and entry fees are different for every event The ballot . The event ballot is a lottery and depending on which event it is, you may have to pay to enter the ballot. If you are successful, you can pay...

The Haute Route is well known as one of the toughest, most challenging cycling experiences, available to amateur cyclists. Equally the Haute Route Concept is centred around ‘delivering an unparalleled ‘professional’ experience for amateur cyclists’, in short, if you want to know what life is like, in the mountains, for the professional peloton, then Haute Route is the way to go! Here at Sports Tours International, we’ve been working with the Haute Route since their very first edition in 2011. In that time we’ve built up a great knowledge of what we can do to support hundreds of cyclists, as they take on these iconic multi-day cycling events. From providing ideally located hotels, to guaranteed race entries and rider support from our experienced team; we know how to help you get the most out of your trip. In this blog, we catch up with a Haute Route veteran and a former Sports Tours International rider, who is now a Sports Tours International cycling rep, Chris Breckon. His insigh...