Sharm el Sheikh gears up for Tour de France’s first bike race in Egypt

19 / 08 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

The Red Sea resort city of Sharm el Sheikh is gearing up for L’Etape Egypt bike race by Tour de France which Egypt is hosting for the first time ever.

South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda has received a delegation from Tour de France to review preparations for the most famous bike race in the world.

Cyclists from 30 countries are expected to join L’Etape Egypt by Tour de France which is a ride designed to challenge cyclists on a course comparable to a Tour de France stage, the world’s most well-known cycling race.

Egypt welcomes the world famous international cyclosportive series due to be held on September 20 through 23.

The inaugural L’Etape Egypt will take riders on a scenic ride. The event will consist of four races; a 170 km-race for professionals, a 96 km-race for professionals and amateurs, a 40 km race for all athletes, and a 6 km-race for families.

“With events organized in more than 23 countries across the globe, L’Étape by Tour de France Series offers a unique opportunity to all amateur cyclists to discover the best cycling routes under the same conditions as Tour de France riders. Indeed, besides the great human and sporting challenge, L’Étape by Tour de France participants will face, they will meet the same conditions, habits, and emotions the professional peloton and its legendary riders have experienced since 1903 on the French roads,” Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France Director, has said.

Organizing such bike races contributes to spreading the culture of using bike as a sustainable transportation means.

The use of bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations.

Promoting the use of bikes serves the Sustainable Development Goals as it contributes to strengthening physical and mental health and well-being and developing a culture of cycling in society.

It also represents a sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth, reduces inequalities while bolstering the fight against climate change.