Look back at L’Étape San Antonio by Tour de France first event
L’Étape San Antonio by Tour de France took place this past weekend on April 10th in San Antonio, Texas. The official amateur Tour de France cycling event started from the University of Texas at San Antonio and headed into Texas Hill Country. More than 2,400 riders participated in the event, with more than 750 riders opting for the 100-mile distance.
100-mile top finishers and Yellow Jersey winners, Annie Bathalter and Spencer Jones, came across the line in 4:49:28 and 4:25:03 respectively. Jerseys were also handed out in the other iconic Tour de France categories, including the Green Jersey to Sprint winners and the Polka-Dot Jersey to King of the Mountain and Queen of the Mountain winners. Winners and athlete times can be found on here.
Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador joined the inaugural event. He participated in a small group ride of 50 L’Étape San Antonio racers on Friday, hosted by Britton’s Bicycle Shop, shared his Tour de France experiences at the Champions Dinner on Saturday and took part in the 100-mile race on Sunday.
L’Étape San Antonio was also part of Fiesta FitFest presented by H-E-B and San Antonio Sports. Attendees participated in a Beer Mile, the Fiesta FitFest 5K 10K, and the Alpha Warrior Challenge. The three-day festival was an official Fiesta event.
“We were thrilled with how the event unfolded and so were the cyclists. It was a tough course but riders pushed through and came out with some great times and great memories. This event was only possible because of the incredible riders, our dedicated sponsors and partners, and the engaged communities of San Antonio and surrounding areas. We can’t say thank you enough and we cannot wait to be back next year.”
— Michael Brown, L’Étape San Antonio by Tour de France, Race Director
“I had a great time here in San Antonio celebrating the first-ever L’Étape San Antonio by Tour de France. It was a great competition out on the rolling course. The riders were incredible and it was a pleasure exploring San Antonio’s roads and meeting riders from Texas, Mexico, and across the United States.”
— Alberto Contador
“The first Tour de France was in 1903 and it grew to slowly but surely become the largest cycling event in the world, with an audience of 2 billion. And, here we are at the first edition of L'Étape San Antonio by Tour de France. Who knows where this race will take us in the next ten years, but one thing is certain, just like the Tour de France, there's no limit to the potential for this event.”
— Umberto Mancini, A.S.O. representative
About L’Étape San Antonio by Tour de France
L’Étape San Antonio is offering amateur cyclists the legendary Tour de France experience in San Antonio, Texas. This is the only United States destination for L’Étape by Tour de France scheduled for 2022. Distances of 100, 60, and 25 miles, a family tour, and a kids’ ride will be offered. Learn more at letapesanantonio.com. Registration for 2023 is now open.
About San Antonio Sports
San Antonio Sports is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform our community through the power of sport. San Antonio Sports bids on and hosts premier sporting events such as NCAA® championships, which have generated a local economic impact of more than $900 million. San Antonio Sports kids programs, including i play! afterschool annually touch the lives of more than 150,000 children. Additionally, San Antonio Sports serves as a catalyst for the development of quality recreational and athletic facilities in our community and manages San Antonio Sports School Parks, a program that turns school grounds into community park space. To learn more, visit SanAntonioSports.org.
