Today’s stage takes us out of the Pyrenees. The sprinters who survived the Pyrenees will get one final chance before Paris, but a break away may well succeed as well. The GC contenders will probably hide and take it easy today. We know that it could all still be to play for during the final time trial tomorrow.

In 2020 we saw amazing drama on the final time trial on La Planche des Belles Filles. Depending on the time differences, this stage could be another corker. Although the course is flat, it’s relatively long at 31km, so there is still plenty of time to be gained or lost.

Please make your own way to our hotel in Bordeaux. We are staying at the Hotel Mercure Gare Saint Jean. We will spend 3 nights in Bordeaux on bed and breakfast basis.

Bordeaux is located in the southwest of France in the region of Aquitaine. The airport is located in Mérignac at 10km of the city centre. The train station and place Gambetta are linked with the airport by bus with a service operating every 35 minutes.

Bordeaux train station, Gare St-Jean, is about 3km from the city centre. Destinations include Paris’ Gare Montparnasse (approximately a 2 hour journey), Bayonne, Nantes, Poitiers, La Rochelle and Toulouse.

Today’s stage finishes in Libourne after 200 km. On paper this should be a sprinter’s stage but anything can happen after 3 weeks of racing. In the morning we’ll have some time to explore Bordeaux. At 13.30 we’ll leave the hotel and we’ll take you to Libourne.

Provisional timings (may change once final logistics are confirmed)

14:30 – Opening of the Tour de France Izoard Area
15:45 – Publicity Caravan passes the Izoard area
17:35 – Estimated finish time for stage winner
18:15 – Izoard Area closes

Izoard finish line hospitality

The Tour de France sets up a limited number of areas located on course within the final portion of the stage. These have names like Tourmalet, Izoard and Galibier. Access to these areas is reserved and by invitation only. You will see famous ex-cyclists, sponsors and team guests. Typically these areas are within 200 metres or so of the finish line. There is also a spectator friendly elevated viewing area. You will be served with drinks and snacks and there is a big screen to watch the LIVE action as it unfolds. After watching the finish, you will celebrate the victory with Champagne.

You can also watch the video so you know what to expect. What to expect from Tour de France hospitality – watch the video here

As yesterday, we will take you the hospitality venue. The Relais Etape is a lunch time venue set up along the course. We’ll have lunch there and see the ITT on TV. You’ll see the riders come past and keep up with the final results.

Relais Etape

The Relais Etape is a hospitality area which takes the form of a small village in a prime position along the route, just a few kilometres from the finish line of each stage. This inspiring package mirrors the excitement of the race and includes:

• A clubhouse
• Welcome aperitif and unlimited buffet
• Entertainment and live coverage of the race on a giant screen
• Champagne celebration of the day’s action
• Live race viewing
• Tour de France gift

Today you have the option to leave from Bordeaux or you can join us in Paris. Our hotel in Paris is located in the centre so ideal for access to the Champs Elysees. We have a selection of hospitality options to purchase for the final day.

The Paris extension includes:

• TGV Bordeaux to Paris
• 1 night in Paris at hotel Mercure Wagram
• Transport from Paris TGv station to hotel Mercure Wagram

On arrival in Paris, we’ll provide transport to the hotel. You will have time to check in and walk across to the Champs Elysees.

Hospitality tickets on the Champs Elysees – More information here about Paris VIP experiences

• Tribune Le Grand Palais – Price: £250 per person
• Tour de France Tribune Elysee – Price: £389 per person
• Tour de France Espace Elysee – £649 per person
• Tour de France La Terrasse – Price: £600 per person
• Espace Rive Gauche – Price: £859 per person

Bordeaux leisure cycling holidays

Bordeaux and its surrounding region is beautiful. Before or after joining us for the Tour de France, why not take a tour and discover this region by bike? Accommodation, maps, route guides, bike hire and luggage transfers are included as standard. Optional extras such as half board and E-bikes are available as well.

Bike and Barge – Bordeaux Vineyards – More information

A wonderful bike and barge tour through the stunning Bordeaux wine regions, visiting the historic villages of South West France and fabulous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ride over the Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne rivers and through beautiful countryside panoramas. You will also experience fabulous gastronomy aboard MS Bordeaux.

*This trip is changing direction weekly during high season. You will either go from Castets-en-Dorte to Libourne or the other way around.

Bordeaux to Biarritz – More information

Cycle from Bordeaux to Biarritz along the Atlantic coast via the Velodyssee. Ride out to meet man, nature, heritage and culture of the Gironde, Landes and Basque Country. Explore landscapes through the Velodyssee, the longest cycling tracks in France and Europe, and enjoy the wonderful tranquility all along the coast! Discover a variety of landscapes: salt marshes, dunes, forests, large beaches surrounded by pine trees and intimate lakes along your trip. Breathe the sea air, the perfume of the pine trees, mimosa and brooms. Conviviality is surely one of the main features of this cycling holiday. There are many restaurants and bars abound where the oysters and duck specialties await you.

La Rochelle to Bordeaux – More information

From La Rochelle this cycling tour takes you along the Atlantic coast to discover the Charente Maritime area. You will cycle along the Velodyssey to discover Ré island with wide sandy beaches, marshes, oyster farms and visit the town of Rochefort and Royan. You will continue your cycling holiday onto little roads going through the Haute-Saintonge and Haute Gironde, finishing in the medieval city of Bordeaux.