Package

Your package for this event includes:

• Entry to L’Etape du Tour
• 3 Nights Dinner Bed & Buffet Breakfast (18 - 21 July 2009)
• Airport transfers
• Secure bike store in Montelimar
• Detailed itinerary
• Fundraising support and advice
• MS Society t-shirt
  

Route details

The 172km route starts from the city of Montelimar and features four smaller climbs, before a long descent to Bedoin and the classic climb to the top of the legendary Mont Ventoux.

• 19km Côte de Citelle 5.2km at 3.9% (3rd Category)
• 70km Col d'Eye 6.3km at 5% (2nd Category)
• 92km Col de Fontaube 4.7km at 4.3% (3rd Category
• 126km Col de Notre-Dame des Abeilles 7.8km at 4% (2nd Category)
• 172km Mont Ventoux 21.2km at 7.6%

The route is challenging enough for the hardened rider, yet within the capabilities and a huge achievement for Etape virgins.

Itinerary

This is a fixed centre trip, where you will spend 3 nights in the same hotel in the area of Bollene / Orange. The towns of Bollene and Orange are approximately 30 to 45 minutes from both the start in Montelimar and Malaucene (the base of Ventoux).

Accommodation
Accommodation has been reserved at the Etap Hotel in Bollene / Orange.

Flights or Eurostar / TGV or self drive
You will have the choice of flying to either Nimes, Marseille or Avignon from where transport will be arranged (at specific times) to your hotel. Alternatively take the Eurostar from Central London to Paris, the fast TGV train to Avignon and a taxi to Avignon airport to meet the hotel transfer. Those choosing to drive can make their own way to the hotel and meet the group.

Guaranteed return bike transport to the Etape from the UK
Those choosing to fly or take the Eurostar / TGV fast train may want to take advantage of Sports Tours’ guaranteed bike transport to the Etape from the UK. On Friday 17 July they will collect your bike at the collection points indicated below and take it to a secure bike store on the outskirts of Montelimar. The cost for this service is £75, for the guaranteed safe delivery and return of your bike.

Collection points
The vehicle will travel from Glasgow, through Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London, calling at service stations in between on the M8, A1, M60, M6, M40, M25 and M20.

Friday 17 July
If you are using Sports Tours’ return bike transport you will need to take your bike to one of the designated collection points for loading and transport to the secure bike store in Montelimar.

Saturday 18 July
You’ll have your own flights booked to one of the following airports, Nimes, Avignon or Marseille.

The following budget airlines operate flights into Nimes (approximately 55km to Orange and 75km to Bollene):
• Ryan Air from Liverpool, East Midlands and Luton
Coach transfers to your hotel in Orange / Bollene to meet the arrival of these flights only. (Anticipated one morning and one afternoon transfer, to be confirmed on the announcement of Ryan Air flight schedules).

The following budget airlines operate flights into Avignon (approximately 35km to Orange and 55km to Bollene):
• Flybe from Exeter and Southampton
• Jet2 from Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford
Coach transfers to your hotel in Orange / Bollene to meet the arrival of these flights only.

The following budget airlines operate flights into Marseille (approximately 105km to Orange and 125km to Bollene):
• Ryan Air from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow Prestwick, Stansted and Manchester
• Easy Jet from Bristol and Gatwick
• BMI from Birmingham
• British Airways operate direct flights from Gatwick and connecting flights from Manchester
• Air France operate connecting flights
There will be three coach transfer times from Marseille to your hotel in Orange / Bollene. These will be at approximately 11am, 3pm and 7pm and are subject to change.

The airlines will charge to carry your bike. Make sure that you book your bike onto the flight. There will be limited space for bikes on each flight, and airlines will not guarantee that your bike will arrive on your flight, even when booked and paid for. You may want to consider using Sports Tours’ guaranteed Bike Transport.

Flights are going to be in very high demand, so please book early to secure a seat and get the best rates. On arrival at your chosen airport you will be met by Sports Tours reps, and there will be coach transfers (at specific times) to your hotel in Bollene / Orange, where you will spend 3 nights on a Dinner Bed & Buffet basis. Those choosing the drive, can make their own way to the hotel and meet the group.

Sunday 19 July
A free day for making any last minute preparations before the event. In the morning you will be taken by coach to the secure bike store on the outskirts of Montelimar, where your bike will have been delivered from the transport lorry. At the bike store you will be able to assemble your bike, and leave your bike box/bag on the lorry.

After assembling your bike, you will be able to have a short ride into Montelimar and the Etape du Tour start village where you will sign on and collect your event number. After collecting your number you will return to the bike store, and take the coach transport back to the hotel. For ease of logistics, you will leave your bike in the secure bike store.

Monday 20 July
This is it, the day of your dreams, your chance to ride a mountain stage of the 2009 Tour de France! 9000 participants, closed roads, feeding stations and Mavic assistance, just like the real thing! Start time is anticipated to be at 7am, so after an early breakfast you will be taken to the secure bike store from where you will be able to ride the short distance to the start. After the event has finished (6pm) you will leave Mont Ventoux and return to the hotel in Bollene / Orange.

Tuesday 21 July 
After breakfast the following airport transfers will be on offer:

• Nimes airport transfers depart from hotels in Bollene and Orange to meet the Ryan Air departures to Liverpool, East Midands and Luton.
• Marseille airport transfers depart from hotels in Bollene at 9am and 12pm and Orange at 10am and 1pm. (These times are subject to change as airlines have yet to fix their summer timetable).
• Avignon airport transfers depart hotels in Bollene at 9am and 12pm and Orange at 10am and 1pm. (These times are subject to change as airlines have yet to fix their summer timetables).

Wednesday 22 July
Collection of your bike from the lorry at the same point that it was loaded. Times to be confirmed, but expected to start with a London drop off at 7am.

Your package for the event will include:
• Entry to L’Etape du Tour
• 3 Nights Dinner Bed & Buffet Breakfast
• Airport transfers
• Secure bike store in Montelimar
• Detailed itinerary
• Fundraising support and advice
• MS Society t-shirt

The package does not include:
• Flights to France
• Drinks with meals
• Hotel extras (telephone, drinks, laundry etc)
• Single room supplement £60
• Bike transport to Montelimar £75

Tour Operator
Sports Tours International are the official tour operator for this trip. With over 15 years experience of taking groups to L’Etape du Tour, you will benefit from their experience and the support of their reps. Details of their Terms and Conditions can be found at Sports Tours Terms and Conditions

Travel Insurance (compulsory)
For information on insurance and to arrange your own insurance online you can follow this link Travel Insurance

How to enter

For your place simply complete the booking and race entry form and return them to MS National Centre with the registration fee of £100.

The MS Society has just 40 places available on a first come, first served basis. Book today to avoid disappointment!

Race Entry Form (340 kb)