Entries are open for the 2018 L’Etape London – or, to give it its official name, the TP ICAP L’Etape London by Le Tour de France – on Sunday 23 September 2018. Taking in the route of stage three of the 2014 Tour de France the event offers riders a choice of three different routes and will include 'Green Jersey' sprint sections.
L'Etape London is, along with the Dragon Ride L'Etape Wales, an official Tour de France ride that attempts to bring some of the razzmattaz of the famous L'Etape du Tour sportive to the UK. Unlike its French counterpart L'Etape London doesn't offer fully closed roads, although riders in the medium – 93-mile – and long – 177-mile – routes will get to sprint against each other on two closed road sections on the route. All routes – there's a short 49-mile option too – also include a sprint lap of the Lea Valley VeloPark circuit.
The routes starts and finish in East London, take in much of Stage Three of the 2014 Grand Depart and, as it heads through rural Essex, riders get to enjoy a mainly flat course. The timed lap of the VeloPark gives riders the chance to sprint for official Tour de France green jerseys. Out on the course, cyclists will follow official Le Tour signage and be accompanied by Tour de France Skodas.
“In no other event in the UK do you have access to so many elements that are synonymous with Le Tour," said Nick Rusling, CEO of organiser Human Race. "Again, we will be playing host to a Tour de France Champion [in 2017 it was Andy Schleck], who we will be excited to announce in the coming months!”
Participants are encouraged to raise funds for the event’s official charity Access Sport. The charity works closely with volunteer-led community sports clubs, helping disadvantaged and disabled young people to achieve their full potential and enjoy the social and health benefits of sport. Riders can find out more at www.accesssport.org.uk.
For more information and to sign up for 2018, visit www.letapeuk.co.uk/london.
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