TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 3 Fantastic Days
Dates: Sunday 5 July to Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Start: Monaco Finish: Montpellier
Accommodation: Not Included
Group Size: Maximum 20 people
Cost: AUD$1990 – Reserve your place now.

Who is this trip for?
This trip is designed to be included into our Monaco to Montpellier trip or our Monaco to Barcelona trip.

Our Exclusive Access Trips are exactly that. As an Official Tour Operator to the Tour de France we are given a limited number of places each year to offer our clients.

The tour has 3 main features:

• The opportunity to ride the stage on the same day as the race, crossing the finish line and having your photos taken on the Tour de France Podium where in just a few hours the Winner of the Stage will raise his hands in victory.
• You are also invited to the start village. Inside the village there are many displays and exhibitions of sponsors. You can collect a few souvenirs, have your photo taken with famous people and riders, try some of the snacks they have available, enjoy a drink and relax in this special environment that few get to enjoy. An Official of the Tour de France will then take you on a visit of the rider’s enclosure where you will get close up with all the riders and get to take many photos that will be the envy of your friends back home.
• You are then invited to be the guest of the Tour de France at the exclusive VIP finish area called the Izoard which is just near the finish line, offering a perfect location and refreshments to suit the occasion. Prior to this we take a tour of the Technical Zone to see how it all comes together behind the scenes. This is where all the media gather and it will amaze you. Cables, Trucks, Broadcast Studios and of course, famous people!

Stages you will see:

• Sunday, July 5: Stage 2, Monaco – Brignoles: 182km
• Monday, July 6: Stage 3, Marseille – La Grande-Motte: 196km
• Tuesday, July 7: Stage 4, Montpellier – Montpellier (TTT): 38km

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DETAILED ITINERARY

Sunday, July 5: Stage 2, Monaco – Brignoles: 182km
Your Day in the Tour de France

Today is our D Day! We will ride the first road stage of the Tour de France 2009 as it departs Monaco today crossing the finish line in Brignoles, a privilege normally reserved for the race only.

This will be followed by your chance to stand on top of the podium where in just a few hours the stage winner and yellow jersey will stand. Afterwards we will see the race finish, right on the finish line in an area reserved for Tour de France officials.

We chose this stage as it is achievable for a fit cyclist however if you feel you’re not up the challenge of the full course then you may choose to ride the 100km or 50km options. It will mean a daybreak start as we need to finish our stage by 2pm but it will be worth it as we ride along the Cote d’Azur with the sun rising behind us.

The stage is designated as flat by the organisers however it does have a few hills to encounter but it will all be worth the pain when you enter the finishing straight in Brignoles, passing the finish line where in just a few hours the Winner of the Stage will raise his hands in victory. You will then get to mount the same podium the winner will mount and have your photo taken by an Official Photographer.

After we freshen up and have a celebratory drink we will watch the finish of the stage.
We will be allowed to take a place right on the finish line next to the race commentator to see the race finish.

A Very Special Experience one you will never forget!

We will have an officially accredited Bikestyle Tours lead vehicle and a following vehicle and a former professional riding with you to offer assistance and advice. You will head off looking (and feeling) like a Pro Tour Team in your Bikestyle Tours outfit along the Tour de France route.

Our Bikestyle Tours vehicles will be available to help you through the day in any way you need including a little helping hand if need be.  The closer you get to the finish the larger the crowds will get and the bigger the lift. By then you will feel like someone has their hand on your back pushing you along.

A Celebration Dinner will be provided tonight.

Monday, July 6: Stage 3, Marseille – La Grande-Motte: 196km
Finish Line VIP Area

Today you will have your experience as a Tour de France VIP.
You are invited to be the guest of the Tour de France at the exclusive VIP finish area called the Izoard and a tour of the Technical Zone to see how it all comes together behind the scenes.

We need to arrive in La Grande Motte at 3pm to tour the Technical Zone. During your tour it’s quite possible you will see some of those famous faces from television so have your camera ready!

If you are an Aussie then there is a good chance you know Mike Tomalaris, the host of the SBS Tour de France. Mike often greets us, giving us some of his precious time to have a chat and pose for photos with our group. On occasions we have also seen Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen and a host of other personalities including the odd podium girl or ex Tour rider.

After our tour of the technical zone we will go to our exclusive Izoard Hospitality Area just near the finish line where we can do what VIPs do: Enjoy a drink, have a snack served by the Tour hostesses, see the race on television and then get a view of the race finish from a very privileged position.

Our hostess will serve champagne after the winner has crossed the line so we can toast the occasion. Hey, you deserve it!

Tuesday, July 7: Stage 4, Montpellier – Montpellier (TTT): 38km
The Depart Village on a Special Day

The team time-trial is making a comeback in the Tour de France, but with one major change: the time recorded on the line will be the time taken into account. Real time is the absolute rule at the 2009 Tour. That is also why the route in Montpellier is short.

This morning we may have time for a ride before will leave from our hotel to Montpellier. We don’t know the exact start time of the teams yet but we expect it will be after lunch allowing time for a shot ride if you wish.

Today completes the picture for your experience as a Tour de France VIP.
With our special vehicle accreditation we will be able to park close to the start village.
Inside the village there are many displays and exhibitions of sponsors. You can collect a few souvenirs, have your photo taken with famous people and riders, try some of the snacks they have available, enjoy a drink and relax in this special environment that few get to enjoy.

An Official of the Tour de France will then take you on a visit of the rider’s enclosure where you will get close up with all the riders and get to take many photos that will be the envy of your friends back home. The atmosphere today will be electric as the teams prepare together for their big event. Each rider knows that their individual performance is critical in helping the team win this event. Or on the other hand: not lose too much time. So just imagine all the riders lined up in front of their team buses warming up on wind trainers together before they head off. What a sight!
For a cyclist this is Heaven on Earth!

Our Tour de France Exclusive Access Package will include:

• Ride a stage of the Tour de France (fully supported) from start to finish prior to the pros!
• Official Bikestyle Tours outfit.
• A photo on the TdF Podium after completion of the stage.
• VIP viewing afterwards in one of the most exclusive areas, the ‘Izoard’.
• Access to the VIP Zones where you have the opportunity to meet Tour Sponsors, Riders and Legends of past Tours in the Start Village.
• Access to the Technical Zone and Press Room for chosen stages.
• A TDF welcome package (Backpack, T shirt and cap) for each participant.
• A discount in the TDF store for each VIP participant (20%).
• Official Tour de France race book and Tourist guide.
• Official Tour de France accommodation guide for each participant.
• Tour de France celebrity meetings (with the help of A.S.O officials) at the village.