"It's the maddeningly best-kept secret in cycling. You and I - with our absolutely average VO2 maxes and recreational-rider-watt-per-pound power ratios - can race the Tour de France. Just one stage, but that's like an astronaut lamenting that he has walked on the moon only a single time...It kicked my ass - and I loved it!"

Bill Strickland, Executive Editor in Chief
Bicycling Magazine

2005 Velo Echappe' Etape du Tour Guest / Finisher

Welcome to the 2008 Etape du Tour! This year's challenge is a historically rich Tour route from Pau to Hautacam via the "beyond category" Col du Tourmalet, the first "col" ever ascended in the history of the Tour de France! Cycling fans will vividly remember Lance Armstrong's ride to Hautacam during the 2000 Tour de France as he battled against Richard Virenque, Marco Pantani and Alex Zulle in the rain on the way to  his second Tour de France crown. Now, it's your turn to ride these mythical roads that feature more stories and legends than any other part of France! Please find below are various tour packages designed to make this dream a reality for you in 2008:

5 day / 4 night 4-star Lourdes Guided Package: $1,999.00 per cyclist, $1,669.00 per non-cyclist, Single Supplement $549.00

Arrive into Toulouse Blagnac Airport on July 3 and transfer to Lourdes, France, and the 4-star Hotel de la Grotte for the next four nights (only 10 km from finish at Hautacam). Package includes round-trip transfers to-and-from Toulouse Blagnac Airport, 4 nights hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, bi-lingual guides, Etape entry, training program, guided rides over the classic climbs of the Pyrenees with options for Luz Ardiden and Col d'Aubisque, , transfer to Pau for both Etape du Tour registration and Grand Depart on July 6. 50 spots available. Prices quoted are based on double occupany. Final payment will be due on January 31, 2008.

4 day / 3 night 4-star Lourdes Self-Drive Package: $1,449.00 per cyclist, $1,149.00 per non-cyclist, Single Supplement $349.00

Arrive into Toulouse Blagnac Airport on July 4 and drive to Lourdes, France and the 4-star Hotel de la Grotte for the next three nights (only 10 km from finish at Hautacam). Package includes 3 nights hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, on-site staff, Etape entry and training program, ride sheets and maps for all the major Pyrenees climbs, and early morning coach transfer to Pau on July 6 for Etape du Tour Grand Depart. 36 spots available. Prices quoted are based on double occupancy. Final payment will be due on January 31, 2008.

4 day / 3 night Hautacam Self-Drive Package: $1,299.00 per cyclist, $999 per non-cyclist, Single Supplement $299.00

Relax at the base of Hautacam in the village of Argeles-Gazost for three nights (July 4,5,6) and stay in a clean and friendly 2-star hotel in the heart of town. Package includes hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, guide, Etape entry and training program, ride sheets and maps for all the nearby classic Pyrenean Tour climbs, early morning coach transfer to Pau on July 6 for Etape du Tour Grand Depart. 10 spots available. Prices quoted are based on double occupancy. Final payment will be due on January 31, 2008.

Entry Only:

We do have entries available for our Entry Only program. Program includes guaranteed entry and Etape du Tour Training program. Prices are $360.00 US Dollars. Payment is due in full at time of reservation. Please contact us for more information and availability.

Velo Echappe' Etape du Tour Cycling Kit: If you would like to purchase an entire Velo Echappe' Cycling Kit for the 2008 Etape including jersey, shorts, cap, and socks, the entire cost is $149.00. Please check this box on our Reservation Form when making your reservation.