Tour de France
Week 2
ALPS
TDF K/QOM Challenge – Week 2 Alps Stages
Week 2: the Alps stages with the Premier Official Tour Operator Ride Alpe d'Huez!
LIVE race-viewing of the key Alps stages during Week 2 of the Tour de France, including VIP access to the Bastille Day Stage Finish on the Col du Grand Colombier! Ride the Col du Galibier, Col de Joux Plane, Col de la Croix de Fer – and of course Alpe d’Huez. No one does the Tour like Thomson!
Live Race Viewing
Private Hospitality Marquee on the Col du Grand Colombier
Stage 14: Annemasse to Morzine
VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine
Stage 15: Les Gets to St Gervais
VIP Departure Village in Les Gets
Overview
Details
Next Departure
July 10th 2023
From
USD $8,995
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes
Rental Bike
USD $500
Overview
Thomson Tour de France K/QOM Challenges are the trips of choice for avid cyclists of all abilities looking for a unique blend of LIVE race-viewing and challenging riding.
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 our Private Hospitality Marquee 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 the Finish of Stage 14, LIVE from the Official VIP Tribune at the stage finish in Morzine, 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.
Riding is also a key feature of every Thomson Tour de France trip and on this trip you’ll conquer numerous famous climbs including Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de la Croix de Fer, the spectacular Lacets de Montvernier and one of our favorite climbs, the little-known Col du Sabot.
No one rides like Thomson!
Mark Dewing-Hommes, USA — 2022
Cheryl Sherwood, USA — 2019
Michael Guitard, USA — 2017
3 fully supported daily rides!
Yes, that’s correct! Each day you’ll have the choice of 3 different fully supported rides – from 20km to 150km (12 miles to 90 miles). No matter your fitness level, our extensive ride program has you covered. Perfect for couples who love to ride but have different fitness levels.
Check out our Sport, Performance and Epic ride programs!
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 Pic Blanc | |||
| 01 | Bienvenue en France! | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 01 | Bienvenue en France! | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 02 | 21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 02 | 21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 02 | 21 switchbacks to Alpe d'Huez | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 03 | The iconic Col de la Croix de Fer | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 03 | Croix de Fer, Telegraphe and Galibier! | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 03 | Pas de la Confession | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 04 | The senstational Col du Sabot | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 04 | The senstational Col du Sabot | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 04 | Oz! | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 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 Carlina | |||
| 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 Carlina | |||
| 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 Carlina | |||
| 06 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 06 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 06 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Tribune at the Stage Finish in Morzine | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Les Gets - OR - Ride on the Race Route | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Les Gets - OR - Ride on the Race Route | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village in Les Gets - OR - Ride on the Race Route | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| Performance Daily Averages |
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 test yourself on 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 most challenging ride of the week with 2 major climbs to conquer: 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 on this long and challenging 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.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
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
|
|||||
|
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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
|
|||||
|
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
|
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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
|
|||||
|
Alpe d’Huez from Allemont |
6.1% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
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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
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Climbs
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 $950 |
n/a |
Book this trip | |
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
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Tour de France Viewing
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
Merchandising
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Tour de France Viewing
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
Merchandising
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
July 10th at 8:30am |
OR |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport |
July 10th at 8:30am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
July 17th at 9:00am |
Rental Bikes
Frame
Felt FR Advanced
Groupset
2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed
Weight
7.7kg (size 53)
Wheels
Reynolds AR46 DB Custom
Chainrings
48x35
Cassette
10-33
Sizes
47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Price
USD $500
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 K/QOM Challenge – Week 2 Alps Stages
Experience the Tour de France with the Premier Official Tour Operator
