etape du tour

While the riders of the Tour de France enjoy a rest day in Tignes - a rare chance to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and catch up with family and friends - 8,000 cyclo-sportive riders will today be experiencing a taste of the pain and suffering they usually endure.

It's the 15th Etape du Tour and this year's route will take them from Foix - Cassoulet capital of France - to Loudenvielle, which was last visited by the Tour in 2003, when Gilberto Simon won the stage.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.