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L’Étape 2018 Ultimate First-Hand Experience: Through the Eyes of Three Cycling Influencers

By We Love Cycling

That day of the year is here again – the time to battle the mother of all amateur cycling races – the grandiose and gruelling L’Étape du Tour! Can’t make it in person but still would love to get as close as possible? Fear not, our three contenders and social media influences are here so you could live the great race vicariously through them. Meet the Instagram master and MTB and road cyclist Simone Viana from Italy, a cycling enthusiast, racer and Instagrammer Fatima Berton from Belgium, and road cycling lover, YouTube influencer and video producer Cameron Jeffers from the UK. Below, you’ll find what they captured throughout this one-of-a-kind cycling holiday.

July 9, 09:00 a.m. – Updated gallery from the race and a first vlog from Cameron, enjoy.

July 8, 15:30 p.m. – Everyone made it across the finish line, congratulations!

Cameron Jeffers – 05:38:56 (40th best time)
Jiří Ježek – 06:43:46
Simone Viana – 06:44:24
Fatima Berton – 08:27:27

“I started too fast and and suffered on the last two hills. In the finish line I had cramps EVERYWHERE.” Simone Viana

Cameron Jeffers, l’Étape du Tour 2018

July 8, 11:30 a.m. – They are halfway through!

July 8, 06:30 a.m. – And it is on! See you guys in Le Grand Bornand. Follow Cameron, Simone, and Fatima on Instagram for the latest news.

July 7, 20:30 p.m. – Cameron, Simone, and Fatima had their first training ride as a team this afternoon. Meanwhile Jiří Ježek – UCI ParaCycling World Champion and our team leader – scouted the rest of the route and prepared a presentation about the trickiest parts. It seems that everyone is hyped up and ready so let’s get some sleep and hope for the best!

July 7, 12:30 p.m. – The team is complete! Unfortunately, Cameron’s bag is missing but that’s not something that should stop us 🙂

About the race

On Sunday 8th June, the 10th stage of the 105th Tour de France edition will open its gates to amateur cyclists from all corners of the world and our team will be there to supply you with the freshest bite-sized news and behind-the-scenes reports.

Same as every year, the mountain stage of L’Étape du Tour, starting at the shores of Lake Annecy and finishing in the resort of Le Grand-Bornand, will offer mythical climbs and stunning panoramic views in its 160 km of length and 4,017 m of elevation.

Featured peaks on the route include Col de la Croix-Fry, imposing Plateau des Glières with an imposing 11% gradient or the notorious Col de la Colombière, perched at 1,613 m above sea level.

Good riddance!