Welcome to the front row of
THEUnseenStage
Four amateur riders. Three months of prep. One shared dream. Follow the journey
Everyone loves stories of success, but few truly see what it takes.
Together with our Challengers, we get a realistic close-up look at Four amateur riders chasing the L’Étape finish line — no matter what daily life throws their way.
This is no fight for the yellow jersey – this is a quest for those ready to put their willpower to the test. Will they inspire you as well?
01. Meet the challengers
Ewa challenge
In her words, Ewa needs to kick things back into gear, leave her routine behind, and try something new. She finds L’Étape fascinating and a great challenge to accomplish all above. As an amateur rider who recently biked 1,000 km across Poland, she feels ready to give it her all and cites stubbornness as the main driver. However, she works around the clock in a mountain cabin she co-owns.
Follow Ewa -
Race
L’Étape Poland
14/06 2026
-
-
Height
161 cm
-
Weight
63 kg
-
FTP
N/A
-
-
Bike
Superior RR 9.5
Markko challenge
Markko has an upper hand in this challenge: three L’Étapes under his belt already. An avid traveller by bike and technical MTB enjoyer on top, he’s very familiar with a rigorous training schedule. He knows this edition of L’Étape will be brutal – but still plans on riding it “without putting a foot down.” However, several wild cards might threaten Markko’s success: time management, a knee injury, and overall long-term health.
-
Race
L’Étape du Tour
19/07 2026
-
-
Height
N/A
-
Weight
N/A
-
FTP
N/A
-
-
Bike
Superior RR 9.5
Melanie challenge
Melanie grew tired of holding herself back from challenges – especially her fear of competing and being judged. Done feeling "not good enough" after a lifetime of sports, she stepped up to the L'Étape to taste courage, discipline, and personal growth. Proficient in skiing and MTB, the road bike is a new-ish addition; however, she still needs to work around her busy family and work schedule.
-
Race
L’Étape Italy
20/09 2026
-
-
Height
159 cm
-
Weight
58 kg
-
FTP
N/A
-
-
Bike
Superior RR 9.5
George challenge
George describes himself as someone who has a hard time rejecting a proper challenge. The L’Étape atmosphere always had a magnetic appeal for him, and that is why he is putting aside XC, enduro, and downhill racing to pick up his road bike – with serious intentions this time. He is convinced he has no limitations or obstacles in this challenge, as he is young with few responsibilities.
-
Race
L’Étape Dubai
31/01 2027
-
-
Height
173 cm
-
Weight
68 kg
-
FTP
337 w
-
-
Bike
Škoda bike
02. challenger live progress
Content is not available at this moment.
Distance
Elevation gain
Total time
The training hasn't started yet.
02. challenger live progress
Content is not available at this moment.
Distance
Elevation gain
Total time
The training hasn't started yet.
02. challenger live progress
Content is not available at this moment.
Distance
Elevation gain
Total time
The training hasn't started yet.
02. challenger live progress
Content is not available at this moment.
Distance
Elevation gain
Total time
The training hasn't started yet.
03. the protocol
Challengers' training plans are provided and designed by TrainingPeaks.
Working on velocity
3 Structured sessions (~50–70 min)
-
- Endurance (e.g. Endurance rides)
- Technique (e.g. Cadence Play)
- Introductory intensity (e.g. Intro to Tempo)
- Training load ranging approx. 24–58 TSS
-
week 1
-
week 2
-
week 3
-
week 4
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on strength
3 sessions
- Continued structured workouts with defined load (TSS)
- Combination of:
- Aerobic rides
- Muscular endurance sessions
- Efficiency-focused training
- Gradual progression in intensity and consistency
-
week 5
-
week 6
-
week 7
-
week 8
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on power
3 sessions
- Ongoing mix of endurance, tempo and efficiency sessions
- Sustained efforts (muscular endurance)
- Riding efficiency
- Maintaining training rhythm
- Consistent session duration (~50–70 min)
-
week 9
-
week 10
-
week 11
-
week 12
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
03. the protocol
Challengers' training plans are provided and designed by TrainingPeaks.
Working on velocity
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 8 hours
- Basic session: 3 to 4 hours
- Long intensity session: 10 to 20 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill-specific session: this month aims to develop your single speed and coordination. These sessions will enable you to be more efficient and save your muscle mass in order to reduce your effort.
-
week 1
-
week 2
-
week 3
-
week 4
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on strength
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 12 hours
- Basic session: 4 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 20 to 40 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill specific session: this month aims to develop your muscular strength. This will be essential if you are to cope with the steepest sections of the race.
-
week 5
-
week 6
-
week 7
-
week 8
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on power
3 sessions
- Training volume: 10 to 15 hours
- Basic session: 5 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 30 to 60 minutes of cumulative effort.
- Hill specific session: this month will enable you to combine speed and strength = power
-
week 9
-
week 10
-
week 11
-
week 12
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
03. the protocol
Challengers' training plans are provided and designed by TrainingPeaks.
Working on velocity
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 8 hours
- Basic session: 3 to 4 hours
- Long intensity session: 10 to 20 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill-specific session: this month aims to develop your single speed and coordination. These sessions will enable you to be more efficient and save your muscle mass in order to reduce your effort.
-
week 1
-
week 2
-
week 3
-
week 4
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on strength
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 12 hours
- Basic session: 4 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 20 to 40 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill specific session: this month aims to develop your muscular strength. This will be essential if you are to cope with the steepest sections of the race.
-
week 5
-
week 6
-
week 7
-
week 8
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on power
3 sessions
- Training volume: 10 to 15 hours
- Basic session: 5 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 30 to 60 minutes of cumulative effort.
- Hill specific session: this month will enable you to combine speed and strength = power
-
week 9
-
week 10
-
week 11
-
week 12
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
03. the protocol
Challengers' training plans are provided and designed by TrainingPeaks.
Working on velocity
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 8 hours
- Basic session: 3 to 4 hours
- Long intensity session: 10 to 20 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill-specific session: this month aims to develop your single speed and coordination. These sessions will enable you to be more efficient and save your muscle mass in order to reduce your effort.
-
week 1
-
week 2
-
week 3
-
week 4
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on strength
3 sessions
- Training volume: 7 to 12 hours
- Basic session: 4 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 20 to 40 minutes of cumulative effort
- Hill specific session: this month aims to develop your muscular strength. This will be essential if you are to cope with the steepest sections of the race.
-
week 5
-
week 6
-
week 7
-
week 8
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Working on power
3 sessions
- Training volume: 10 to 15 hours
- Basic session: 5 to 6 hours
- Long intensity session: 30 to 60 minutes of cumulative effort.
- Hill specific session: this month will enable you to combine speed and strength = power
-
week 9
-
week 10
-
week 11
-
week 12
Recovery and assimilation Low-intensity load Medium-intensity load High-intensity load
Show your trust and win
Guess the Challenger outcome right and enter the prize draw.
Main prize
A state-of-the-art Superior road bike
Runner-up prize
25× TrainingPeaks yearly subscriptions for 25 lucky guessers
Main prize
A state-of-the-art Superior road bike
Runner-up prize
25× TrainingPeaks yearly subscriptions for 25 lucky guessers
Main prize
A state-of-the-art Superior road bike
Runner-up prize
25× TrainingPeaks yearly subscriptions for 25 lucky guessers
Main prize
A state-of-the-art Superior road bike
Runner-up prize
25× TrainingPeaks yearly subscriptions for 25 lucky guessers
