Cycling the Tour de France Route: How Amateurs Are Taking On One of the World’s Toughest Stages

Every summer, the Tour de France grabs the world’s attention with its mix of athleticism, drama, and brutal climbs. But this year, it’s not just the pros testing their limits. Thousands of amateur riders are tackling Stage 19 of the 2025 race—one of the most demanding parts of the Tour—through L’Étape du Tour, a public version of the iconic route.

Riding Like the Pros, Just for a Day

Stage 19 covers a grueling 130 km (about 81 miles) through the French Alps, climbing a punishing 4,550 meters (nearly 15,000 feet) from Albertville to La Plagne. It’s a stage that could make or break a professional’s shot at the yellow jersey. For everyday cyclists? It’s the challenge of a lifetime.

That’s exactly how Amy Young, an amateur cyclist from Northamptonshire, England, sees it. She’ll be one of 16,000 riders from 90+ countries taking part in L’Étape this year.

“I’m a cycling addict,” Young told CNN Sports. “To say you’ve ridden the most challenging stage of the Tour de France would be quite something.”

Training for Brutal Climbs—and Scorching Heat

The climbs alone are enough to test anyone’s strength, but this year’s race comes with an added challenge: extreme heat. Europe is in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave, and temperatures could hit 35°C (95°F) on race day.

Young, who lives in a relatively flat part of the UK, has been doing her best to prepare. “We are talking climbs that will take in excess of an hour at a time,” she said. “It’s hard to properly put into scale just how big and steep some of the climbs will be.”

A Personal Comeback Story

For Denny Kearns, a 46-year-old civil servant from Hastings, this ride is more than a challenge—it’s a personal victory.

Kearns was set to ride L’Étape last year but had to cancel after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2024. The cancer spread to his abdomen and lungs, and he went through three months of chemotherapy.

“It was one of the toughest periods of my life,” he said. “The cancer was hard to accept, but being told I couldn’t compete in my bucket list race made it even tougher.”

Now cancer-free, Kearns is back on his bike, training hard—sometimes indoors with heaters on to mimic Alpine heat—and focused on crossing the finish line.

Balancing Real Life and Big Goals

Unlike professional riders, most L’Étape participants juggle training with work and family life. Young rides before and after work during the week and travels to hillier areas on weekends for more practice.

Kearns trains over 12 hours a week and is aiming to finish in under eight hours. Young hopes to finish around the seven-hour mark, which could place her in the top of the women’s field.

They’re Not Competing with the Pros—But Still Pushing Limits

While elite cyclists like Tadej Pogačar might finish the stage in around four hours, most L’Étape riders will take 6.5 to 7 hours on average. Still, finishing is the real win.

For Kearns, just being on the start line is a milestone: “When I cross the finish, I’ll know I’m finally back to being my old self.”