Tour de France by E-BIKE
Week 2
ALPS

TDF by E-BIKE – Week 2 Alps Stages

Designed exclusively for e-bikes! Witness Week 2 in the Alps with the Premier Official Tour Operator

LIVE race-viewing of the key Alps stages during Week 2 of the Tour de France. Includes VIP access to the Bastille Day Stage Finish on the Col du Grand Colombier! Ride Alpe d’Huez, Col de Joux Plane, Col de la Croix de Fer and many more iconic routes in the French Alps.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

July 10th 2023

From

USD $8,995

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

Yes

Rental Bike

From USD $500

Overview

Thomson Tour de France E-BIKE Trips are designed exclusively for e-bikers looking to combine the thrill of LIVE TDF race-viewing with fun rides on the iconic routes and climbs of the Tour de France.

Be there on the Col du Grand Colombier on Bastille Day to experience the highlight of Week 2 in the Alps.

Our Bastille Day race-viewing program includes:

  • access to the VIP Tribune at the Summit Finish on the Col du Grand Colombier
  • an official ride across the Finish Line before the arrival of the Tour de France peloton
  • a memorable photo shoot on the Official Podium on the Col du Grand Colombier

 

You’ll also witness Stage 14 on the legendary Col de Joux Plane, LIVE on the mountain-side from the comfort of our Private Hospitality Marquee, and mingle with pro riders and Tour celebrities with our privileged VIP access to the Departure Village at the start of Stage 15 in Les Gets.

Ride the famous 21 switchbacks to Alpe d’Huez, and other iconic routes and climbs including the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col de Sarenne and the little-known but spectacular Col du Sabot.

E-BIKE Trips explained

Why separate trips: we take e-bikes seriously, which means giving them the extra attention they require. To create the most successful trip possible, our E-BIKE trips have been designed specifically with e-bikes in mind. These machines need specific support; from the vans that transport them to the e-bike mechanics and tools that keep them running in perfect condition. Even the hotels have to be selected carefully to be able to cater for storage and charging.

What if I ride a road bike but my partner or friend rides an e-bike: both you and your partner or friend should sign up for the E-BIKE trip. Road bikes will be available to rent (or you can bring your own) on our E-BIKE trips. Rides are similar in distance and difficulty level to the ‘Performance’ route on our road bike trips.

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Tour de France
Friendliest, most helpful and knowledgeable ride leaders, mechanics and van support (many people performed all 3 roles) made getting up multiple “hors categories” mountain passes ...

Eve Hartman, USA — 2022

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Tour de France
The cycling was epic, watching the Tour de France in person was a dream come true, and Thomson Tours made the whole experience worry-free for ...

Laura Clarke, USA — 2017

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Tour de France
This trip truly exceeded my expectations. The selection of ride routes not only included the major climbs of the TdF, but also some of the ...

Adam Sklar, USA — 2017

See more reviews
Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

2 fully supported daily rides!

Each day you’ll have the choice of 2 different fully supported rides – from 20km to 100km (12 miles to 62 miles). No matter your ride preference, our Sport and Performance ride programs have you covered.

Performance  Itinerary

RIDE ITINERARY SELECTOR

Click the tabs to see our flexible ride programmes.
You can change between rides each day.

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en France! Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
01 Bienvenue en France! Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
02 21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
02 21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
03 The iconic Col de la Croix de Fer Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
03 Pas de la Confession Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
04 The senstational Col du Sabot Hotel Ermitage
04 Oz Hotel Ermitage
05 LIVE Race-Viewing on the Col du Grand Colombier: Private Hospitality Marquee on the climb - plus Official Ride over the Finish Line & Podium Photo Op Hotel Ermitage
05 LIVE Race-Viewing on the Col du Grand Colombier: Private Hospitality Marquee on the climb - plus Official Ride over the Finish Line & Podium Photo Op Hotel Ermitage
06 LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine Hotel Ermitage
06 LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine Hotel Ermitage
07 LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Les Gets - OR - Quintessential Alps Ride Hotel Ermitage
07 LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Les Gets - OR - Quintessential Alps Ride Hotel Ermitage
08 Au revoir!
08 Au revoir!
Performance Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
Performance Performance Itinerary
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02
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04
05
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08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenue en France!

Your trip starts at Geneva Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Alpe d’Huez.

After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on our warm-up ride. Leaving the hotel you’ll take the Route de Lacs which climbs over the Col du Poutran to an elevation of over 2100m. Next on the itinerary is the short climb to the Col de Sarenne before heading back to the hotel in Alpe d’Huez. Pray for clear skies today as both of these climbs offer incredible views of the surrounding Grandes Rousses Massif mountain range.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez

Today is your opportunity to discover the most famous of all climbs – the 21 switchbacks that lead to Alpe d’Huez!

The ride starts with a 28km descent to the town of Bourg d’Oisans, the start of the climb to Alpe d’Huez. This time round you’ll only climb the first 3km of the climb before turning off in La Garde onto one of the most spectacular roads in the Alps: the panoramic road to Le Freney..

From Le Freney, you’ll ride back down the valley to Bourg d’Oisans. This time you’ll climb all of the iconic 21 switchbacks to Alpe d’Huez.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


The iconic Col de la Croix de Fer

Your longest ride of the week with 2 major climbs on the agenda: the iconic Col de la Croix de Fer, and the Pas de la Confession climb through Vilard-Reculas and up to Alpe d’Huez.

You’ll start the ride with a long descent to Rochetaillée. From Rochetaillée, the Col de la Croix de Fer lies 31km up the road at an average grade of almost 6% so be careful to pace yourself and manage your battery levels on this long, iconic climb. You’ll turn around at the summit and head back down to Allemond where you’ll start the incredibly scenic climb to Pas de la Confession, the back-way into Alpe d’Huez.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Chalet du Lac Besson
from Alpe d’Huez
6.1% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de Sarenne
from Alpe d’Huez
4.2% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Balcon d’Aunis
from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout
6.9% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Alpe d’Huez
from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout
7.7% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de la Croix de Fer
from Le Verney
6.2% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Alpe d’Huez
from Allemont
6.1% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15

Climbs

Stage

Rest Day: Clermont-Ferrand


Stage 10

Vulcania > Issoire


After a well-deserved first day of rest in Clermont-Ferrand, the Massif Central will be on the programme again. It will be a hard task to get into the breakaway today. What’s more, the route’s passage through the Chaîne des Puys will leave the strongest riders at the front before going to Issoire.

Stage 11

Clermont-Ferrand > Moulins


This will be an historic day because, as a result of the finish being in Moulins, the Tour will have visited all of the prefectures in mainland France. Although the roads of the Allier ensure there will be a steady and quite deceptive draw on riders’ reserves thanks to recurrent “leg-breaking” climbs, the 1,300-metre straight in the heart of Moulins should be ideal for the sprinters

Stage 12

Roanne > Belleville-en-Beaujolais


The formation of the breakaway will be one of the critical moments on this hilly stage. As the race passes through the vineyards that produce the Beaujolais vintages, there could well be a lot of action before the climbs of the Croix Montmain and Croix Rosier. The uphill finale may well produce an excellent sprint contest between a small group of riders.

Stage 13

Châtillon > Grand Colombier


The dynamic format of this stage, which takes place entirely in the Ain, will leave little room for doubt. The riders’ legs will certainly have to be sharpened on the climb to the Hauteville-Lompnes plateau, because a major challenge awaits the Tour’s favourites leaving Culoz: they’ll have to put all of their cards on the table for the ascent of the “Bugey pyramid”, which extends for 17.4km at an average gradient of 7.1%.

Stage 14

Annemasse > Morzine


It’s unlikely that the riders will enjoy the view of Lake Geneva at the start of the stage, as the 4,200 metres of climbing will be on everyone’s mind, and especially the climbs of the Ramaz and Joux Plane passes. Everyone will also be aware that they’ll need to show some real skill on the descent into Morzine in order to claim victory.

Stage 15

Les Gets > St Gervais


At the end of a demanding weekend, the stage is set for a crucial battle between the contenders. This particularly undulating route through Haute-Savoie will take the riders over the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin, then to the Croix Fry and the Aravis passes. The most impactful blows will probably be delivered on the final climb to Le Bettex in the Amerands climb, where some sections touch 17% gradient.

Stage

Rest Day: St Gervais Mont Blanc


Tour de France

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
3 Col de Sarenne (from Alpe d’Huez) 01 31 4.2%
3 Chalet du Lac Besson (from Alpe d’Huez) 01 43 6.1%
3 Col de Sarenne (from Alpe d’Huez) 01 31 4.2%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout) 02 117 7.7%
2 Balcon d’Aunis (from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout) 02 71 6.9%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout) 02 117 7.7%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Allemont) 03 98 6.1%
HC Col de la Croix de Fer (from Le Verney) 03 118 6.2%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Allemont) 03 98 6.1%
1 Oz-en-Oisans (from Lac de Verney) 04 70 7.2%
HC Col de Sabot (from Allemont) 04 140 7.9%
HC Col du Grand Colombier (from Culoz) 05 120 7.2%
2 Col de Richemond (from Le Poteau) 05 52 5.6%
HC Col du Grand Colombier (from Culoz) 05 120 7.2%
HC Col de Joux Plane (from Samoens) 06 117 8.4%
2 Les Bossons (from Neuvecelle) 06 43 5.6%
HC Col de Joux Plane (from Samoens) 06 117 8.4%
2 Les Bossons (from Neuvecelle) 07 43 5.6%
2 Les Bossons (from Neuvecelle) 07 43 5.6%
1 Lac de Bise (from Vacheresse) 07 84 7.7%
2 Col du Grand Taillet (from Route des Frasses) 07 50 7.0%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices

Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
July 10 to July 17
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $8,995
USD $1,500
n/a
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Les Grandes Rousses

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    Hotel Ermitage

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    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Tour de France Viewing arrow
    • TDF Stage 13: VIP ride across the Finish Line, Podium photo op, and access to our Private Race-Viewing Hospitality Marquee
    • TDF Stage 14: access to the VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine
    • TDF Stage 15: access to the VIP Departure Village in Les Gets
    • Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 3 x lunches
    • 4 x picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up & Drop-off at Geneva Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Overall Staff to Guest ratio: 1 to 3
    • Experienced E-bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Merchandising arrow
    • Tour de France Gift Bag
    • Special Discount card for Official Tour de France stores
    • Thomson Bike Tours S/S cycling jersey
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Tour de France Viewing arrow
    • TDF Stage 13: VIP ride across the Finish Line, Podium photo op, and access to our Private Race-Viewing Hospitality Marquee
    • TDF Stage 14: access to the VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine
    • TDF Stage 15: access to the VIP Departure Village in Les Gets
    • Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 3 x lunches
    • 4 x picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up & Drop-off at Geneva Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Overall Staff to Guest ratio: 1 to 3
    • Experienced E-bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Merchandising arrow
    • Tour de France Gift Bag
    • Special Discount card for Official Tour de France stores
    • Thomson Bike Tours S/S cycling jersey
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Geneva Airport

    July 10th at 8:30am

    OR

    Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport

    View website arrow

    July 10th at 8:30am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Geneva Airport

    July 17th at 9:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Felt FR Advanced

    Road Bike

    USD $500

    View Details

    3T Exploro Boost e-bike

    Electric Road/Gravel Bike

    USD $750

    View Details

    See Videos

    VIP Departure Village Experience

    Meet the riders and Tour celebrities in the VIP Departure Village

    VIP Ride across the Finish Line

    Official VIP ride across the Finish Line followed by a memorable photo shoot on the Official Podium

    No-one prepares like Thomson

    An inside view of how we prepare a Thomson trip, to ensure you have the optimal experience


    TDF by E-BIKE – Week 2 Alps Stages

    Experience the Tour de France with the Premier Official Tour Operator