The Tour will have a rest day in Andorra for the 4th time in its history. After this Pas de la Casa will become the 5th location inside the Principality to welcome a start or finish of La Grande Boucle. Pas de La Casa is a well-known ski resort for British skiers. Well known of tourists, this privileged point of passage towards France has on its territory the resort of Grandvalira that offers the largest skiing domain of the Pyrenees and was a sponsor in 2009 of a continental cycling team

The finish in Saint-Gaudens will be located in front of the stands of the former Comminges motor race circuit. Saint-Gaudens is the place where a British rider first wore the Yellow Jersey. It was the legendary Tom Simpson in 1962. Luis Ocaña had his first stage success on the Tour here in 1970. When the Tour finished here last in 1999, Dimitri Konyshev was the winner. Watch the stage video here

After a long and probably fast first 100 kilometres, the sting is in the tail with 3 major obstacles in a row: Peyresourde, Val Louron-Azet and to finish off, the 16-km climb at an average gradient close to 9% of the unforgiving Col du Portet. Big efforts required for what promises to be quite a show.

The “flash” stage of 2018 of only 65kms from Luchon including the climbs up Peyresourde, Peyragudes and Val Louron-Azet was the first summit atop the Coll de Portet. The stage was won by Nairo Quintana. At 2215 m, the Porte is the highest Col in the French Pyrenees. In the past many stages finished at the Pla d’Adet which is next to Saint-Lary-Soulan. After the inaugural triumph of Raymond Poulidor in 1974, all the winners there were known climbers: Joop Zoetemelk (1975), Lucien Van Impe (1976 et 1981), Mariano Martinez (1978), Beat Breu (1982), Zenon Jaskula (1993) and Rafal Majka (2014). Stage Video here

Pau, the Tour capital of the Pyrenees has even created an open air museum in honour of La Grande Boucle named le Tour des Géants. Pau will welcome the event for the 8th consecutive time. Julian Alaphilippe, boosted by his Yellow Jersey went on to beat all the time-trial favourites in 2019. Pau loves the Tour and the Tour loves Pau!

Luz Ardiden is a summit for great moments. In 1985, Pedro Delgado claimed his first success on the Tour. Greg Lemond was held back as he was ordered by his team not to put the Yellow Jersey of his leader Bernard Hinault in danger. In 1990, Miguel Indurain won his last normal stage victory there (other than time-trials of course). In 1994, Richard Virenque triumphantly finished off one of his most beautiful breakaways. And when Samuel Sanchez won there in 2011, Thomas Voeckler was still a comfortable Yellow Jersey. Watch the Stage Video Here

Today’s stage takes us out of the Pyrenees. The sprinters 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 31 km so still plenty of time to be gained.

The Tour de France has always ended in Paris but not always on the world famous boulevard. This will be the 47th time that the finish will be on the Champs-Élysées. It had in the past witnessed its term in the Parc des Princes (54 times) and then seven times at La Cipale (between 1968 and 1974), in the Bois de Vincennes where Eddy Merckx celebrated his five victories. There were however two finishes in other places of the capital: stage 4 of the 1951 edition was claimed by Roger Lévêque at the Longchamp race track and Bradley McGee won the prologue of the centennial, in 2003, on the Avenue de la Motte-Picquet, in front of the Military School.

Please arrange your own flight to Toulouse. There are numerous airlines that fly into Toulouse airport (book early to take advantage of cheap flights). We will meet you on arrival and take you to the 3 star Hotel Carre Py in Bagneres de Bigorre at the foot of the Col du Tourmalet. You can use the time today to unpack your bike from its box as during the tour when required we are transporting your bike fully assembled.

We will provide arrival airport transfers that leave Toulouse airport at 13.00 and at 16.00. It’s a 2 hour transfer so if you are not there on time, we can’t provide alternative transport unfortunately.

If you have rented a bike with us then it will be available for you at the hotel this evening. Please note that you need to bring your own shoes, pedals, helmet and cycling clothing.

During this evening’s meal we will take the opportunity to go through the programme of the days to come. This is also a good opportunity to get to know your fellow group members.

We have a treat in store for you today. The cyclists can join us for our ‘cross the finish line’ VIP experience. We will ride on the very roads that the peloton will ride on just hours later. After you have crossed the official finish line on we will all have our photos taken on the winners podium.

We will drive spectators to Saint Gaudens and join the crowds cheering our riders, and later, the pros.

Your day includes

• The support of the Sports Tours International team and support vehicle
• Cycle the final part of the stage along the same route as the pros just hours later
• Cross the finish line on your bike
• A photo on the top step of the official podium

After this we will get changed at the tour bus and we have access to the Izoard Finish Hospitality area.

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.

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

The evening meal is available at the hotel on return.

Optional Group Ride:

Today’s stage finish is on the Col du Portet, 16km up from Saint Lary Soulan. The riders finish here after tackling the Col du Peyresourde and Col de Val Louron Azet. Likely location of today’s hospitality experience is Saint Lary which is a 1 hour drive from our hotel. We have another great day in store today for both cyclists and spectators at the Relais Etape. The spectators will go directly to the Relais Etape today.

Cyclists

We will take you to Arreau. From here we will ride the Col de Val Louron Azet to finish in Saint Lary. This is a 31km ride which will be supported by our support vehicle. Alternatively riders can come on the coach to Saint Lary and ride the final climb unsupported, then descend back down to meet us at the Relais Etape.

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
• Tour de France gift

What to expect from Tour de France hospitality – watch the video here

Optional Group Ride:

Today is Tourmalet day. Early start for the cyclists on our guided ride. It’s possible to ride the full Tourmalet climb followed by the ascent to Luz Ardiden. We’ll ride out straight from the hotel. As a safety net, we’ll collect riders who are too late to ride up Luz Ardiden from Luz Saint Sauveur at 13.00. (If Izoard hospitality is located at the Tourmalet summit, we will finish our ride here.)

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.

Provisional timings (may change once final logistics are confirmed)

08:00 – Start of guided ride
12:00 – Reach top of Tourmalet – 30 km at average 10k/h
13:00 – Transport from Luz Saint Sauveur for riders to go to Luz Ardiden (if required)
14:00 – Izoard Hospitality area opens
15:45 – Publicity Caravan passes the Izoard area
17:35 – Estimated finish time for stage winner
18:15 – Izoard Area closes

The evening meal is available at the hotel on return.

Optional Group Ride:

After breakfast we will leave Bagneres de Bigorre. On the way to our next stop in Bordeaux, we will stop off at the stage start in Mourenx. We will park in the VIP parking near the start and we have access to the Village Depart.

Depending on the actual opening times of the Village Depart today, it may be possible to ride part of the way to Mourenx today.

Village Depart

The 2021 Tour de France entourage and organisation travel around with the riders. The team buses park within an enclosed and restricted area. An expo type village is created at the start of each one of the stages. It is usually here that everyone who is linked in any way to the Tour de France like TV, sponsors and celebrities from the cycling world will show themselves. Also local companies will be keen to show off their wares. Your VIP passes will give you access to the village and the rider’s paddock.

Provisional programme (will be different one each stage)

10:00 – Opening of the Tour de France Village
11:05 – Departure of Publicity Caravan and arrival of the riders in the Teams car park
12:00 – Beginning of the presentation of the riders on the signature podium
13:05 – The stage starts
13:10 – Closing of the Tour de France Village

After the Village Depart, we will make our way to Bordeaux. We will stay at hotel Mercure Gare Saint Jean in the centre of this great city for the next 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

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. If you are leaving from Bordeaux then we offer an airport transfer to either Bordeaux Airport or to Toulouse Airport. We will arrive at Bordeaux Airport at 09.00 so please book flights that depart after 11.00 from Bordeaux. We expect to arrive at Toulouse Blagnac Airport at 12.00 so please book flights that depart after 14.00

The Paris extension includes:

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.

• TGV Bordeaux to Paris
• Transfer from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to Hotel Mercure Wagram
• 1 night in Paris at hotel Mercure Wagram on B&B basis

From the hotel, please make your own way and walk across to the Champs Elysees and/ or one of the hospitality venues late afternoon.

Paris Hospitality

For the finish of the 2021 Tour de France on the Champs Elysees in Paris we are pleased to offer a range of Grandstand seating and VIP Hospitality packages. From these areas you will see the finish of the final stage of the 2021 Tour de France and see your cycling heroes cross the finish line. Our options range from Tour de France Grandstand seats to Hospitality packages with some of the most prestigious seats available so you can watch the finish of this iconic cycling race in style.

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

Please check out of the hotel and make your own plans for your onward journey.