Saturday 18^th July:
We shall collect clients from Geneva airport and at 14.00hrs we shall travel into the French Alps and the beautiful ski town of Chamonix where we shall spend the next 4 nights on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis at a quality 3* Hotel. Apart from being in a beautiful location (at the foot of Mont Blanc) our Chamonix base offers excellent access to all the Alpine mountain stages of the 2009 Tour de France.

Chamonix also offers the non cyclists in the group plenty of activities, including the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, where you can visit the Mont Blanc Glacier.

Sunday 19^th July: VIP Hospitality for the Verbier stage finish
The riders enter the Alps with a 207km stage (the 2^nd longest of the tour) that will take them from Pontarlier into Switzerland, and to the Swiss ski station of Verbier.

After breakfast we shall travel to see the stage finish at the ski station of Verbier (Switzerland). From our base in Chamonix it is only 50km to the base of the climb to the ski station of Verbier, and those with bikes will be able to ride there, whilst those without bikes will be taken to see the stage in the touring bus.

On arrival at Verbier we shall take our place in the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality bus located very close to the finish line. Here you will have hostess service of drinks and snacks whilst watching the stage live on T.V. and after seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner.

After seeing the stage we shall return to our base in Chamonix.

Monday 20^th July:
As the Tour de France spends its 2^nd Rest Day in Verbier (Switzerland), this gives us the chance to visit and explore Chamonix and the region. Those with bikes will have the option to be taken the short distance to Cluses where we shall have a beautiful ride that takes in the famous climb of the Col de Joux Plane and the town of Morzine. There will also be the opportunity to travel to back to Switzerland and the valley of Martigny and ride with some of the Tour de France teams on their rest day.

Those without bikes will be able to have the day at leisure in Chamonix, and there are lots of things to do, including taking the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, where you can visit the Mont Blanc Glacier.

Tuesday 21st July:
Three countries in 1 day!!! The Tour de France returns to its home country with a very high mountain stage that takes the riders from Switzerland into Italy via the highest mountain in the tour, the mighty Col du Grand St Bernard (2469mt high), and then from Italy into France via its smaller brother, the Col du Petit St Bernard (2188mt high). After summiting the Col du Petit St Bernard the riders are back into France and will plunge down to the finish in Bourg St Maurice.

Our location in Chamonix allows easy access to today’s stage by using the Mont Blanc tunnel, which takes us from Chamonix to Italy and the ski town of Courmayeur and the base of the climb to the Col du Petit St Bernard.

In the ski town of Courmayeur, the bikes will be unloaded, giving the cyclists the opportunity to ride the 30km to the top of the Col du Petit St Bernard to see the stage. Those without bikes will be taken on to the climb of the Col du Petit St Bernard by the touring bus.

After seeing the stage we shall return to the touring bus, see the finish on t.v., reload the bikes and return to our Chamonix base via the Mont Blanc tunnel.

For an extra supplement, we can offer an exclusive package enabling customers to enjoy an outstanding day following the route of the Tour, including flying over it in a helicopter, visiting the start village and also travelling the race route between the Tour caravan and the riders!
Click for full details.

Wednesday 22nd July: [Live the Dream ] Ride an Alpine stage of the Tour de France
Have you ever dreamed of riding a stage of the Tour de France, crossing the finish line with your hands in the air, and climb the Tour de France podium to have the yellow jersey put on? Well dream no more, with our [Live the Dream] package, dreams become reality.

After an early breakfast we shall leave our Chamonix base in the support vehicles and travel the short distance to Sallanches from where we shall commence to ride the final 80km of today’s stage.

Dressed in Sports Tours International cycling kit you will ride the final 3 climbs of today’s stage (Cote d’Araches, Col de Romme, and the famous Col de la Colombiere). We feel that we have chosen a great stage for you to ride, challenging but not impossible to complete, but you need to be trained and in condition. However, if you can’t ride the whole stage it’s not a problem, you will travel part of the stage in the support vehicle and ride the rest, or because the way the stage is routed there are possibilities of taking short cuts.

As you ride the stage in front of the Pros you will experience the special atmosphere along the route and the crowds will be out their thousands to cheer you along “Le Route du Tour”.

You will be supported throughout the ride by 2 Graham Baxter Sports Tours officially accredited vehicles and for the last 20km you will be escorted to the finish line in Le Grand Bornand by an official Tour de France vehicle.

On arrival in Le Grand Bornand you will have the exclusive right to cross the finish line and afterwards have your photo taken on the Tour de France podium. After our own protocol ceremonies you will get changed and await the arrival of the Tour de France stage itself. We shall see the stage finish in Le Grand Bornand from a very privileged location, 5mts from the finish line and next to the Official Tour de France commentator Daniel Manges. This is standing access only.

After seeing the stage we shall travel the short distance (6km) to the ski town of La Clusaz, where we shall stay at the excellent 3* Hotel Alpen Roc.

Thursday 23^rd July: Exclusive access to start village & riders enclosure
After breakfast we shall leave La Clusaz and ride to the beautiful town of Annecy for today’s crucial time trial.

On arrival in Annecy you will have VIP access to the official start village and riders enclosure. Here you will get to meet the Tour de France riders and see them warming up prior to the time trial, and see them return to their team busses afterwards. You will also have access to the official Tour de France village where you will be able to meet many other cycling legends, like Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon etc etc….

Friday 24th July:
After breakfast we shall offer return to Geneva for your return flight.