Returning to the Pyrenees for the third time in four years, this will be a very popular event with only two climbs over the 154km. After the difficulties last year, this will be one ride that many people will want to attempt. Tri247 has negotiated with the UK's official tour organisers, Sportstours, for 40 places (20 twin rooms) in a dedicated hotel in Lourdes. Over 1,000 places have already been sold, so this may be the last allocation you can get and would make an ideal club weekend away for that 'once in a lifetime' experience.

The stage is an absolute classic Pyrenean mountain stage that starts from the city of Pau and includes the monumental climb of the Col du Tourmalet (17.7km at 7.5%) before finishing on top of the Hautacam mountain, (14km with an average ascent of 7.2%) which towers above the pilgrim city of Lourdes.

For many, this will be a chance to emulate Lance Armstrong who, in 2000, rode strongly on the Hautacam to catch Virenque, Escartin and Jimenez, before gaining the yellow jersey and wearing it all the way back to Paris for his second win. (The stage that day was won by the Spaniard, J Otxoa Palacios). The 2008 Etape du Tour de France will once again be held in the French Pyrenees on Sunday 6th July and will follow the exact route of stage 10 of the 2008 Tour de France.

The start in Pau is only 45km from the finish (base of climb to Hautacam) which makes it possible to offer fixed centre location packages in both Pau and Lourdes.

The official agents

Sportstours have been appointed by ASO (Etape du Tour organisation) as the main official agent for taking entries for the UK and several other countries. By taking a packaged tour to the Etape du Tour, you will benefit from their wealth of logistical experience in taking people to this special event. With over 14 years experience in taking groups to L’Etape du Tour no other Official Tour Operator has more experience, an important consideration when deciding your trip.

The package we have reserved places on is for three nights (Friday 4th to Monday 7th July) and is aimed at those people who have a limited amount of time to spend at the Etape du Tour. Flights will be to Toulouse and Pau, whilst those choosing the self-drive option can leave vehicles at the hotel in Lourdes or the airports of Toulouse and Pau. This is a fixed centre trip that will be based in the city of Lourdes (25 miles from the start and 7 miles from the finish) and will mean no checking out of the hotel in the morning of the Etape as you return to the same hotel after the finish.

Sportstours will be handling all the arrangements directly with you so please contact them via email at etape247@sportstoursinternational.co.uk and quote TRI247 as the reference to access this dedicated block of 40 places.

As part of this exclusive package, Tri247 will be providing a limited edition cycle top created by Impsport especially for the occasion and a goody bag containing a selection of nutritional items from For Goodness Shakes.

Prices (per person) are £560 for a twin room and £125 for the Etape entry fee. This includes; coach transfers to/from Toulouse or Pau airports; dinner, bed and breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the race site and secure bike transport. It does NOT include flights, cost of bike transport on the flight, insurance or any other incidentals. Sportstours will require up-front payment of a 50% deposit plus the £125 entry fee and you will need to provide a doctor's certificate stating you are fit to compete in a cycling event to them by January 10th.