Verhulst-Wild and Jeanjean take Victory at the 2024 L'Etape du Tour de France

Frenchwomen Gladys Verhulst-Wild and Frenchman Damien Jeanjean take Victory at the 32nd edition of the L'Etape du Tour de France in Nice, on top of the Col de la Couillole, along with 10,000 cyclists.

L’Étape du Tour de France is (probably) the most famous mass participation bike ride in the world. Each year, thousands of amateur cyclists gather to ride one of the toughest and most spectacular stages of the Tour de France. The L'Etape du Tour was moved to Saturday July 6th after the announcement of snap French elections recently.

It was over 10,000 cyclists chance to ride stage 20 of the 2024 Tour de France, just a few weeks before the pros. The route was a superb 138km on fully closed roads. The Etape du Tour sold out inside 3 hours last October, to 15,000 cyclists.

Since 1993, amateurs have been able to measure themselves against the reality of the Grande Boucle and compare their times with the champions of the Tour.

The stage started in Nice and traversed the challenging climbs of the Col de Braus, Col de Turini and Col de la Colmiane, finishing atop the Col de la Couillole with over 4,600m climbing. 

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35 year-old Frenchman Damien Jeanjean (Team Matériel-vélo.com) from Savoy, who finished 2nd in the race for the last two years, finished in a time of 4h 40m 28s, ahead of countryman and teammate Adrien Guillonnet (4:43:09) in second place, and Belgian Tim Alleman (4:43:06) in third place.

He was 30 minutes less time than the slowest time planned by Amaury Sport Organisation for the riders of the Tour on Stage 20 in less than two weeks.

"I started at the 50th kilometre," JeanJean said afterwards. "It's a profile that allowed it because there were practically no flats. I then stayed in my bubble trying to get on the train. The goal has been achieved, I'm super happy.o other cyclosportive beats L’Étape du Tour. I’m ecstatic!"

in the women's category, 27 year-old Frenchwomen Gladys Verhulst-Wild (FDJ – SUEZ) was first in a time of 5h 36m 24s ahead of Swisswomen Selina Burch (5:38:29) in second place and Frenchwomen Aurore Puachet (5:42:56) in third place.

Verhulst-Wild said afterwards, ”I just came here for fun without any ambitions, but of course I’m happy. I’ve never tackled the L’Étape du Tour  before and, even for me as a pro, it’s an incredible victory!” 

JeanJean's strava profile reveals he took the KOM on Étape du Tour 2024 climb, and came 8th overall on Col de Turini segment. His average power was 282 watts and he hit speeds of nearly 50 mph on the descent of the Col de Braus and burned over 1,100 calories!

Link to 2024 L'Etape du Tour de France Results: https://resultscui.active.com/events/LÉtapeduTourdeFrance2024