Editorial …………………………………………………………………………………………The cycling phenomenon……………………………………………………………...Presentation of the event………………………………………………………………Map of the route……………………………………………………………………………Route schedule………………………………………………………………………………Saint Jean de Maurienne : L’Etape du Tour start town ..………..………….La Toussuire-Les Sybelles : L’Etape du Tour finish town …………………….The competitors……………………………………………………………………………..Behind the scenes…………………………………………………………………………..Interview with Julien Chauveau, Trek marketing manager………………The partners …………………………………………………....………………………......Media Resources……………………………………………………………………........

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Etape du Tour 2014

MATHIEU BOUTROUX, DIRECTOR OF THE ETAPE DU TOUR“Bring the legend of the Tour de France to riders from around the world”

What are the particularities of the 2015 edition of L’Etape du Tour?This year, L’Etape du Tour will be a loop stage. We found this configuration to be ideal in 2013 on the Annecy -Annecy-Semnoz stage and we set a record for entries. This format is especially praised by the competitors fororganizational reasons. The strong desire of the elected officials of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and La Toussuire tohost L’Etape du Tour finally convinced us.Another specificity: for the first time, the Village will be situated at altitude, at La Toussuire. The cyclists and theirfriends and families will have the chance to spend three days at the resort, in an unprecedented and idyllicsetting. Our desire is to also provide a sense of sharing and a pleasurable experience to the competitors.

Why did you choose this difficult mountain stage?A.S.O. wanted to offer the riders the climbs on the legendary passes that are the things of dreams. It is also astage with an atypical profile that will be decisive in the Tour de France general classification, as was mentionedby Christian Prudhomme during the route presentation. On this day, anything can happen and it is essential for usto be as close as possible to the challenges of Le Tour. With Chaussy, Glandon, Croix de Fer, Mollard andToussuire, stage 19 of the Tour de France is exactly what the amateur cyclists want and it will let them experiencethe legend that is Le Tour de France. For proof that we have not erred in our choice: the 15,000 race numberswere gone in just one month, a record!

In 2012, L’Etape du Tour featured the legendary Croix de Fer and Toussuire passes. What do you rememberfrom then?In 2012, the Glandon and Croix de Fer climbs were already part of the route and this did surprise more than a fewpeople. For some competitors it was the first time to make the climb via these routes and they were caught outby their difficulties. It is an occasion for us to offer the riders a new ascent that has remained in the history ofL’Etape du Tour.

Who is this route designed for?For sure, it is a demanding route for seasoned amateur cyclists and enthusiasts who train to experience what theTour de France is like. Generally, there are two types of riders. The regulars, loyal to L’Etape du Tour, who makeup 30% of the 2015 peloton and wait impatiently for us to announce the routes, so they can circle the date ontheir calendar. And then there are those who will participate for the first time and adjust their trainingprogramme for it. In any case, everyone prepares to complete the stage and become a finisher.

Since the creation of the event in 1993, have you seen an evolution in the profile of the typical participant?We have noticed an increase in female participation. Men make up about 95% of the entries but this year, wehave more than 700 women. We will also have 70 nationalities represented. We have noticed a deep-rootedtendency: the internationalization of the event. At the start of L’Etape du Tour we will have cyclists who travelleda long way to be with us like the Brazilians who also rank in the top three among foreigners with the British andthe Irish.

What would you like to say to the riders who will take part in this wonderful adventure this coming July 19.That they enjoy this day to the fullest! We are thrilled, with the communities, to host them in Savoy, which willprovide a magnificent setting and a memorable challenge.

EDITORIAL

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The Tour de France, beyond its bordersEach year, the number of riders attempting L’Etape du Tour adventure increases. And, some travel great distancesto live the experience and test themselves on a route that the professional peloton will ride on five days later.Brazilians rank in the top three of foreigners present in the event and are willing to cross the Atlantic to becomepart of the legend. At the start, 70 nationalities will rub shoulders this year, guided by the same desire: to take onan unforgettable challenge on a route closed to traffic. The passion and privileged race conditions also enticethese brave souls to cross the oceans and break down the barriers to soak up the Tour de France magic.

40 000 cyclists, 7 countries, 2 continentsWhile professional cycling is known around the world, today cycling enthusiasts are also part of a globalmovement to internationalize cycling. In addition to L’Etape du Tour, A.S.O. and its partners propose numerousand new challenges, which will bring together more than 40,000 participants this year. In France, with the Paris-Roubaix Challenge or Explore Nice Métropole by le Tour de France- in Belgium, in England, in Argentina, Paraguayand even in Brazil, the world’s bicycle enthusiasts can now take on the challenge of the routes raced on by thestars of the professional peloton.

Out to conquer Latin AmericaThe Tour de France is now exported to the South American Continent. With L’Etapa Argentina by Le Tour deFrance, the Salta and Jujuy provinces will host the admirers of the mountains and the Tour from September 25-27.Then it will be Paraguay’s turn to organize, for the first time, an immersion into the atmosphere of this prestigiousevent, from October 30 - November 1. And in Brazil, the city of Cunha in the state of Sao Paulo, with L’Etape Brazilon October 25, will host the participants in a mountainous range that has all it needs to turn this new rendezvousinto a legendary event.

L’Etape Brazil by le Tour de France (25 October): 112 km, 2,870 metres of climbing, 6 climbs with gradients upto 18%, 2 000 participants.

The Tour de France spirit settles in LondonAfter organizing the Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride last May, A.S.O., in partnership with Human Race, will revivethe prestige of the Tour de France in London. On a route that will re-trace a large portion of what was stage 3 ofthe Tour in 2014, the entrants will get to enjoy themselves and imitate the professional riders who already rodethis famous circuit before arriving at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the Olympic velodrome, which hosted the 2012Games and will host the 2016 world track championship.

L’Etape London by le Tour de France (27 September): 3 races measuring 78, 147 and 189 kms, between 817 and1660 metres of climbing, 3500 participants.

AROUND THE WORLD:THE CYCLING PHENOMENON

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This coming July 19, just a few days before the Tour de France peloton, thousands of amateur cyclists are expectedfor the 23rd edition of L’Etape du Tour, on the route of stage 19, from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to the ski resort ofLa Toussuire-Les Sybelles; with climbs of the col du Chaussy pass, Croix de Fer via Glandon and Mollard and thefinal climb towards La Toussuire – Les Sybelles.

After the start at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the riders will soon need to be on pace to take on the first difficulty ofthe race: the col de Chaussy pass, with 15.4kms of climbs at nearly an average of 6.3% gradient. The long descenttowards La Chambre will be followed by primarily smooth valley roads that will end at kilometre 62.5 at theopening metres of the col de la Croix de Fer (via the col du Glandon pass) pass. With 22.4kms of climbing at nearlyan average of 7% (and passages at 10%), keeping energy in reserve will be necessary to assure the Mollard climb,then from kilometre 120 begins the final uphill run towards La Toussuire – Les Sybelles at 1705m of altitude.

The challenge to meet will be at the level of the countryside traversed all along the 138.3 km of this stage thatpromises to be demanding.

D+: + 4 609 mD-: - 3 445 mMinimum altitude: 365 m (municipality of Epierre)Maximum altitude: 2 065 m (col de la Croix de Fer pass)

PRESENTATION OF THE EVENT

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MAP OF THE ROUTE

ROUTE SCHEDULE

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Pierre-Marie CHARVOZ, Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

With the start of L’Etape du Tour and of stage 19 of the Tour de France, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne hasbecome an inescapable cycling venue in the Alps.Saint-Jean de Maurienne’s history with the Tour de France is a short one and yet this year the town willhost its 4th stage in less than 10 years. There is clearly a strong link between Saint-Jean and cycling. Thecycling season has become longer and longer and now stretches from April to October. Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the “world capital of amateur climbers” loves Le Tour and is obviously happy to host the2015 edition of L’Etape du Tour.

Welcoming several thousand amateur cyclists clearly requires an exceptional organization.It isn’t every day that we host 15,000 cyclists, but everything will be ready for the riders and theirfamilies to have a good time and be welcomed in the best possible conditions. The entire community ismobilized for this big event, and we will all be working at the day’s first light to get everything ready foran unforgettable celebration!

In addition to its fantastic terrain for cyclists, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is also famous for its culturalheritage.As Christian Prudhomme repeated during the presentation of the Tour de France last October: “It isn’tby accident that we come to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne”. Saint-Jean has the most impressive historicalheritage of the Savoy! Birthplace of the House of Savoy, the city offers an unmatched quality of life in abreath taking mountain environment. Known the world over for its Opinel knives, Saint-Jean is also agourmet’s nirvana. Of course, L’Etape du Tour will provide the opportunity for all the cycling enthusiaststo discover the region’s delicacies, including, among other things, the beaufort and reblochon cheesesor the famous Mont Cormier liqueur. Two culinary stars, Christophe ARIBERT and Jean SULPICE, will alsobe on hand the L’Etape du Tour to treat the worthy riders.

SAINT JEAN DE MAURIENNE : Etape du Tour start town

Contacts- M. Philippe ROSSAT Director of tourist officephilippe.rossat@saintjeandemaurienne.com+33 6 34 31 27 24 - Mme Carine LEVENEUR Deputy director of tourist officecarine.leveneur@saintjeandemaurienne.com+33 6 34 99 85 58 - Mme Elodie DI CANDIDO Communication assistantelodie.dicandido@saintjeandemaurienne.com+33 6 15 99 49 09

www.saintjeandemaurienne.com2011 Team FDJ - Pierre DOMPNIER

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What kind of celebration can the thousands of cyclists expect when they get off their bikes?Beginning on Friday evening, musical and bicycle based entertainment are scheduled. In the village, which we arepleased to welcome, all the professionals from the valley will work hard for two days to animate this large bicyclecelebration. It will also offer a terrific opportunity to all the participants, thanks to our close collaboration withSavoie Mont-Blanc, to discover our delicious Savoyard products, like tiny Crozet pasta and Savoy tomme cheese.Several restaurants will stay open especially for the participants and introduce the flavours of our gastronomicheritage, which is also part of our Savoyard identity.

The Maurienne valley is an inescapable Alps ski domain and is also becoming a major cycling domain.While skiing is still a major activity in our valley during the winter, cycling is no slouch either when the weatherwarms up. From May to September, riders invade the route to the La Toussuire station to take on these elevatedpercentages. On July 19, they will number 15,000, and we are proud to be able to publicize this much-liked ascentby everyone in the Maurienne Valley, that we want to designate as the largest cycling area in the world!

Contact : - M. Frédéric PITTONDirector of La Toussuire tourist officef.pitton@la-toussuire.com+33 6 61 87 48 17 - Mme Sophie MORETCommunication officerpromotion@la-toussuire.com+33 6 89 86 19 42

www.la-toussuire.comwww.sybelles.com

LA TOUSSUIRE-LES SYBELLES : Etape du Tour finish town

Three years later, L’Etape du Tour and the Tour de Francereturn to La Toussuire for two days of cycling.We are thrilled to host L’Etape du Tour again at La Toussuire,in the heart of the Sybelles. After the success of the 2012edition, all the local actors were mobilized once again for thisevent that we are very fond of. We have put in place a largetechnical organization around the Village with notably 150volunteers from various associations to offer the competitorsof L’Etape du Tour optimal conditions and an atmosphere thatpromises to be festive!

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Patrick Gilbert-Collet, President of the Toussuire tourism office

THE COMPETITORS

The participants (2015)- Average age : 45 years- 95 % men / 5 % women- 70 nationalities represented

2,02 %3,09 %

3,86 %

2,09 %

2,10 %

1,75 %

2,95 %

3,25 %

1,24 %

0,39 %

2,55 %

1,76 %

15,83 %

3,64 %

1,03 %

4,49 %

3,41 %

5,71 %

1,43 %

2,65 %

7,28 %

26,72 %

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United Kingdom(22,2 %) Ireland

(2,4 %) Brazil(1,7 %)

Top 3 of the foreign countries in attendance

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Top 3 of French regions

Rhône-Alpes (26,72 %)

Ile-de-France

(15,83 %)Provence-

Alpes-Côte d’Azur(7,28 %)

15,000 PARTICIPANTS AND 25,000 VISITORS EXPECTED

Each year, the magic happens. L’Etape du Tour unites all profiles. From the semi-professional riders, to amateur champions and weekend riders who take their training very seriously, but also first-timers who want to take on a challenge.

9sources A.S.O. – june 2015

More than 1 000 volunteers at the service to the competitors!

They are everywhere! From the welcoming of the riders to the distribution of the race numbers or rider sacks andjust until the provisions at the arrival, the volunteers assist the riders before and during the race. “Theassignments that we give them are important”, assures Teddy Bouré, director of volunteers for Amaury SportOrganisation. “They do a fantastic job at all of our events.”

More than 1,000 people are in action during L’Etape du Tour. 268 of them are positioned along the route in orderto carry out the very important task of signalling and helping the riders during the refreshment periods. 832 othervolunteers will participate for three days to ensure the smooth running at the start village of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and the arrival village of Toussuire. At the end of L’Etape du Tour, the volunteers hand out the medalsto the finishers. Nothing would be possible without these men and women who give their time to ensure that thisimportant cycling celebration is a success.

BEHIND THE SCENE

FOOD- 200 kg of gingerbread - 600 kg of dry and dehydrated fruit- 7 kg of crisps and savoury snacks- 1 400 kg of apples distributed- 1 400 kg of oranges distributed - 600 kg of bananas - 19 500 cereals bars- 14 000 twenty gram High Energy bars- 19 500 Energy Booster products

BEVERAGES- 11 700 bottles of Perrier water (i.e. 11 700litres)- 47 960 bottles of Vittel water (i.e. 79 690 litres)- 13 000 litres of energy beverage based on Hydrate & Perform powdered products

KEY FIGURES- 23nd édition (created in 1993)- 8 458 finishers en 2014- 15 000 number of race numbers reserved in 2015- 138,3 km of racing- 7 am: start time for the first competitors to start- 9 am: start time for the last competitors to start- 60 km : the distance over which the pack will stretch!When the first competitor reaches Saint Etienne deCuines , the last competitor will cross the start line.- 18 km at an average gradient of 6.1% for the final climb- 1 706 m : altitude of the La Toussuire - Les Sybellesfinish

- 11.51 am: estimated finish time for the first to finish- 19.30 pm: estimated finish time for the last to finish- 138 exhibitors present at each village

VOLUNTEERS AND SAFETY- 6 km of safety barriers along the route- 138 law enforcement officers required to ensureclosure of the route to traffic- 268 signallers along the entire route.- 832 volunteers (250 at the start village, 280 at thefinishing line village, 100 at the liquid refreshmentpoints, 250 on the full refreshment points)

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“We believe in the virtues of cycling”

Trek will once again be the primary partner of L’Etape du Tour this year.What will you propose at the Village in La Toussuire?We will basically have the same presence as we did in 2014 with a motorhome, a bus with aplatform that we will set up on a roughly 300 m² area at the entrance to the Village. It is a privilegedspace and it will be even nicer this year because it will be located in an exceptional setting, ataltitude. The booth will be divided into two sections: one for the Trek brand, with most notably thebicycles and a shop on the other hand, which the competitors really like.

Will be there one particular product that will draw the attention of the riders to your booth?Each year, L’Etape du Tour is the first “consumer event” where Trek displays its new road bike,presented to the media at the end of June- beginning of July. The visitors are curious to discover andto approach the new bike that the Trek Factory Racing team will ride on the Tour de France. Duringthe 2014 edition, we brought out the Emonda, the lightest bike on the market, ideal for a mountainstage like the one they face.

Why did Trek decide to sponsor L’Etape du Tour?Trek has been the main partner for eight years now. We are a leading brand on the market and wewant to be involved in a renowned amateur cycling event. With nearly 15,000 participants, L’Etapedu Tour is THE race of reference that lets us come in contact with the amateurs. A lot of foreignersalso take part and for a brand like Trek, present in many countries, it is a good showcase.

How are L’Etape du Tour and the amateur cycling world compatible with the values of the Trekbrand?At Trek, we believe in the virtues of cycling. We think it provides much more than other means oftransportation. We offer the highest quality products, which allow for more people to discover thejoy of cycling; from bikes for children or casual riders to experienced amateur cyclists. And this is theessence of L’Etape du Tour, allowing competitors to take up a sporting challenge while also havingfun.

Press relationsJulien CHAUVEAUjulien_chauveau@trekbikes.com+33 6 40 51 58 33

www.trekbikes.com/fr

INTERVIEW DE JULIEN CHAUVEAU, TREK MARKETING MANAGER

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THE PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNER

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

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Press roomA media center will be on hand in the Etape du Tour Village (near the regulation area).We will give you your press accreditation as well as a media bib and all the information about the event (start lists, results, press release,…)

L’Etape du Tour villageParking Les Ravieres – Rue Blanche, 73 300 La ToussuireThe press desk is located at the entrance of the village

Media centre opening schedules- Friday 17th July from 10am to 8pm- Saturday 18th July from 10am to 8pm- Sunday 19th July from 10am to 6pm

Royalty free photos Royalty free photos will be available :- Via a link on the press release- On request from the press department – araynaut@aso.fr

TV News AccessRoyalty free videos will be available on Sunday 19th July, day of the race: - On FTP (all the information on the TV alert)- On request from the press department - araynaut@aso.fr

Follow L’Etape du Tour on web

www.letapedutour.com

www.facebook.com/etapedutour

https://twitter.com/letapedutour #LetapeduTour

MEDIA RESOURCES

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2014 Etape du Tour – Streets of Pau 1313