Imagine yourself riding through roaring crowds, the sun-drenched French Alps stretching before you, and the burn in your legs as you ascend legendary climbs. That's the electrifying spirit of L'Étape du Tour de France, where amateur cyclists push their limits on the very same routes as the pros! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a day in the life of a World Tour rider and discover France in an unforgettable way.
Now, we're bringing that same adrenaline-pumping energy and excitement directly to you with our L'Étape-inspired Fondo Series weekend on Zwift! Get ready to ignite your competitive spirit and push on as hard as you can.
Your Race, Your Pace, Your Glory
Join riders from all over the world and rip through the roads of the Zwift Bambino Fondo (53 km with 398 m of climbing) as our trusty RoboPacers lead the charge. But here's where it gets truly exciting: for the first time ever, all riders will line up together on the start line!
Feeling the burn and need to regroup? No problem! You can easily drop to a slower Robopacer. Or, if today's your day to shine, drop the hammer, and blast up to the group ahead! The power to choose your destiny on this iconic stage is entirely yours.
Robopacers:
- Constance @ 4.2 W/KG
- Jacques @ 3.2 W/KG
- Coco @ 2.6 W/KG
- Miguel @ 1.8 W/KG
- Bernie @ 1.5 W/KG
L'Étape du Tour de France on Zwift isn't just a race, it's the ultimate training ground for any Fondo you've got your sights set on. And to celebrate your triumphs, completing L'Etape will unlock the brand new, exclusive Tour Fever Kit.
Fuel Your Fire with Maurten
Huge thanks to our friends at Maurten who are providing the ultimate race-winning fuel. Their cutting-edge formulas are designed to push you further and unlock your full potential:
Zwift racing is intense and, depending on your intentions, there may be few opportunities for rest — from start to finish. Most Zwift races are relatively short (less than an hour) and in those events your fueling requirements can be satisfied by consuming appropriate real food options before and immediately after. This article offers advice for fueling the virtual L’Etape du Tour de France on the Zwift Bambino Fondo route.
The basics
Endurance athletes require carbohydrates — the most efficient and readily-available source of fuel for the body. To maintain performance beyond an hour, for a strong finish on the Volcano climb, it’s important for Zwift riders to consume additional carbohydrates during the ride. Not only does this deliver fuel for the duration of the event, but it also ensures that the body will not finish in a depleted state. Feeling tired at the finish line is appropriate — feeling empty is not. Using up the body’s reserves of available fuel without replacing them will lengthen recovery times and potentially inhibit future performances.
Before the ride
Tackling a hard ride soon after a full meal will likely lead to discomfort in the stomach, so it’s advised to select a start time that allows several hours for food to digest fully. In the 24 hours before the ride, stay properly hydrated and try to eat carbohydrate-rich foods that are lower in fat and fiber. You can use Maurten’s Solid 160 bar as an additional go-to source of carbohydrates to stay topped-up with fuel.
During the ride
It’s possible to differentiate fueling strategies based on your target watts per kilo. While intensity is relative, a lower watts per kilo value will indicate a longer duration and slightly different fueling requirements.
4.2 w/kg and above
- Maurten Bicarb System 2 hrs before start
- 1x Gel 100 Caf 100 during warm up / before start — 25 grams carbohydrates + 100 mg caffeine
- 1x Drink Mix 160 or 1x Gel 160 in the race — 40 grams carbohydrates
3.2 w/kg
- Maurten Bicarb System 2 hrs before start
- 1x Gel 100 Caf 100 during warm up / before start — 25 grams carbohydrates + 100 mg caffeine
- 1x Drink Mix 160 or 1x Gel 160 in the race — 40 grams carbohydrates
2.6 w/kg, 1.8 w/kg, 1.5 w/kg
- 1x Gel 100 Caf 100 during warm up / before start — 25 grams carbohydrates + 100 mg caffeine
- 1x Drink Mix 320 or 2x Gel 160 in the race — 80 grams carbohydrates
Timings for taking Maurten Gel
- If taking 2 Gels: consume at 10km (after initial surge for position) and 30k (before the final climb).
- If taking 1 Gel: consume at 20km
Timings for taking Drink Mix
Drink majority of Drink Mix (500ml) between 0 and 30k.
After the ride
Quickly replenish your glycogen stores soon after finishing by having a large, carbohydrate-rich meal. If the time between the end of the event and your next meal is long, use either Drink Mix 160 or Solid 160 to aid recovery. This is now about thinking ahead and preparing for your next ride.
