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Prepare for a summer of cycling in Lausanne this year, as the world’s most famous cycle race lands in the city during July, with various activities organised around the race to encourage residents to hop onto two wheels themselves.
But before you head out on your own pedal-powered road trip, make sure you catch a glimpse of the Tour de France drama, which arrives in Lausanne on July 9. After setting out from Dole in the French Jura Mountains, riders will head into the city and grapple with a gruelling nine kilometres of hills.
This means climbing the Avenue d’Ouchy, crossing Place Saint-François and Pont Chauderon, and then attacking the wince-inducing 12% incline of Avenue de Beaulieu. Having given those thigh muscles a solid workout, riders then finish in front of the Pontaise Olympic Stadium – a suitably grand setting after the test they’ve just endured.
There’ll also be further world-class cycling during October, when the inaugural edition of the women’s Tour de Romandie competition takes place as a circuit race in Lausanne, as part of the UCI Women’s World Tour.
For anyone wanting to hit the road themselves after seeing how the pros do it, Lausanne is the place to be. Choose from scenic countryside jaunts that invite leisurely riding, cycle routes that include stops at gorgeous vineyards or perhaps even a winding mountain climb if you’re feeling ambitious – and very fit.
So, whether you’re an experienced rider looking for the next challenge or still learning how to balance properly on two wheels, Lausanne has something to offer cyclists of all abilities. And the place to start your summer cycle adventure is by cheering on those incredible riders of the Tour de France in July.
Find out more about Lausanne’s role in the Tour de France and how the city is putting cycling in the spotlight this summer over at the Lausanne Tourism website. If you’re searching for other great activities around the city, take a look at our top tips for six great things to do in Lausanne this summer.