2010 Etape du Tour du Mondovelo, Pau - Col du Tourmalet

Recce the 2010 Etape route with Pyrenees Pursuits

The 2010 Tour de France features four mountain stages in the Pyrenees, celebrating the centenary anniversary of the Tourmalet's inclusion. The superb Pau - Col du Tourmalet stage will be the Etape du Tour on 18 July.

We offer year-round B&B and self-catering accommodation at our Pyrenean farmhouse near Lourdes, ideal for riding the Cols or following the Tour. For longer rides, we can provide bike set downs, pick ups and support.

PRICING AND BOOKING

B&B rate of EUR35 per person (based on twin sharing including breakfast). Self-catering rates also available.

Etape Route: profile, photos and report

The Etape route comprises 3 major Cols - Marie Blanque, Soulor, Tourmalet - and from our property you can ride each Col as a separate loop, or link 2 or 3 together.

The day after the route was announced we escorted and photographed Andy from Cycling Weekly magazine on a full recce (published 29 October).

The route is 174 km long, and the profile shows some 4,400m climbing:

ACCOMMODATION

We offer high quality B&B and self-catering accommodation featuring:

Cycle routes & maps

Secure bike storage

Bike workshop & wash

Solar heated pool

SKY TV & Wifi

Comfortable beds!

SERVICES

Breakfast, snacks

Evening meals

Group catering

Vehicle support

Photos from our Etape recce

Early morning setoff from Pau, approaching Marie-Blanque 13% Etape gradient on Col de Marie-Blanque Winding Etape descent from Col de Marie-Blanque

After 47 km of rolling but fast roads from Pau, riders reach the foot of the Col de Marie-Blanque. At 9km this is the shortest of the Cols, through agreeably shady pine woodland, but becomes very steep over the final few km (watch for the 13% marker at 2km!). On the other side is a wonderful twisting descent, opening out as it reaches the valley floor. There is a punchy climb out of Louvie-Juzon and then rural roads to Asson at the 88km mark.

Steep hairpins as Etape climbs from Ferrieres Spectacular views of Cirque de Litor to west Etape recce nears top of Col du Soulor

From Asson the road begins to climb, tightening as it reaches the beautiful gorges around Ferrieres. From here it is 12km, averaging more than 7%, to the Col du Soulor. The view becomes increasingly spectacular as the road climbs - near the top, look for the Cirque du Litor corniche road that links Soulor to the Aubisque. From here its a 20km descent to Argeles-Gazost: steep and exhilarating for 7 km, then undulating before a final fast section into the town.

Newly installed rockfall protection on Luz St Saveur gorge Tourmalet unrelenting with 6 km to go Summit of Col du Tourmalet just before sunset

From Argeles, a final 37km to the summit. An inital climb through the gorge to Luz-St-Saveur and then the classic, barren, winding ascent up to the Col du Tourmalet on gradients of 8%, 9% and finally 10%!