Mokapot Productions

With a route that is as stunning as it is challenging, the 1st edition of L'Etape Cyprus will be one to remember. The 136 Km course features two categorized climbs, totaling over 3000 m in elevation, traversing Cyprus' Wester Region and exposing the Paphos coastline and Troodos Mountains.

Starting at the golf hills of Paphos, you will set out on Aphrodite Hills Avenue towards Kouklia Village where you will enter the B6 main road. After 2 Km, you will enter Kouklia Village. The left-hand lane will be fully closed so you will have the chance to spread out across the road. Make sure you keep hydrated here as the first major climb of the day is fast approaching! At the BK mark, the Mt Olympus QOM/KOM commences. From that point, you will face a challenging 62 km ascent at an average gradient of 2.9%. Such a long climb is likely to be a leg-zapper and with so far still to race, pacing will be key. Breathe in the fresh country air and enjoy the surrounding nature. You will exit Kouklia Village and travel through the quaint Oreites Forest and Oreites Wind Farm. Be aware of unpaved access roads in this section. Next, the course will continue weaving along the undulating vineyards of Pano Archimandrita before the 20 km challenging climb to Mousere. You continue riding along until reaching the first Feed Zone at Dora Village.

Dora Feed Zone will be positioned at the 25.9 km mark on the left-hand side of the road. Riders will have the opportunity to stop, refuel and hydrate before the upcoming course separation for The Race and The Ride. Cyclists not wishing to stop here can proceed straight, staying on the left side of the road. Shortly after the Dora feed station, the route for The Race and The Ride will split (at 26. Km). The Race will continue straight towards Mallia Village on E614, whilst The Ride will take a sharp right and cross around Dora Village heading into Dora valley.

Past Dora village, the course winds its way through the lush farm­land and native vineyards into the famous Kato Platres Village where riders will have the option to respite at Feed Zone 2, located on the left-hand side of the road at 45Km in. This is your last opportunity to refuel before taking on the second part of the climb to Troodos Square.

After passing through the second Feed Zone, the course makes a sharp left and you start climbing through pine-paved roads toward Troodos Square. With a seesaw-like climb profile, you can recover from the first climb whilst you prepare for the next! So take time and enjoy the combined flats and rolling undulations via monasteries, picnic sites, and the famous haunted Verengaria Hotel at Prodromos Village.

A third, hot Feed Station will be located right before Troodos Square on your left-hand side. Be prepared for temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celcius at this elevation in November. Once passed Feed Station 3, you will take a right turn and prepare yourself for a fast and long descent down Troodos Mountains. This long and technical descent starts at 68 Km in. There will be caution signs and marshals on the side of the road and you must comply with all safety instructions. Fatigue will be setting in at this stage so it is vital that you remain focused and vigilant as you make your way down the mountains.

During the descent, you will ride through the Chrasochoria (Greek for Wine+Villages) region, where you can admire the rich Limassol wine valleys. Pachna Feed Station will be positioned on the left side of the road at 101 km. You can choose to continue straight though must stay to the left The course will remain straight until making a left turn at Pissouri Village.

The fifth and final Feed Station for the day will appear quickly as it is positioned 123 km on the left-hand side of the road. Hydrate here and then home straight is in sight! You will be greeted with magnificent views of the Mediterra­nean Sea all the way from here to the finish line.

Last but not least, the Aphrodite Hills climb is the final challenge of the day. At 1.7 km long Aphrodite Hills is the race's shortest climb. However, what the climb lacks in length, it makes up in steepness. With an average gradient of 7%, many riders will find Aphrodite Hills to be the hardest part of the day, made worst by the 135Km before it takes one last view of the Mediterranean Sea as you climb and before you head for the Finish line at Aphrodite Hills Resort

Download gpx file

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START LINE - Aphrodite Hills
water, electrolytes, coffee

A. 27 KM- Dora
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

B.44 KM - Kato Platres
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

C.68 KM - Troodos Square
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

D.101KM-Pachna 
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

E.121 KM- Pissouri 
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

FINISH LINE - Aphrodite Hills
water, beer, fresh fruit, sandwiches

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

• Medical tent at the Start / Finish Line
• Ambulance at the 5 Water / Feed Stations
• Ambulance behind The Race
• Ambulance behind The Ride
• Medical Crew throughout the race convoy

MECHANICAL SERVICES

•Mechanical Station at the Village
• Mechanical Service prior to the start of the race
• Mechanical Vehicle in the convoy behind The Race / The Ride
• Fixed Mechanical Stations at the Water/ Feed Stations

SAG WAGON

A SAG Wagon will travel at the back of the peloton behind the Timing vehicle to transport riders who can no longer participate in the event due to medical, mechanical, or physical reasons. There will be a bus and truck which will provide riders and their bikes with a lift back to the Village.

L'Etape Cyprus is held on a rolling road closure system. Cut-off times have been determined to respect the road re-opening timings.

CUT-OFF TIMES

The slowest average speed for the Race and the Ride has been calculated considering both elevations. A timing car with a clock on the roof will travel at the back of the peloton and follow the slowest average speed for The Race and The Ride.
Any rider overtaken by the timing car will be declared "Out of Race" and will not be able to access Mechanical Assistance, Medical Assistance, or any of the Feed Stations after this point There will be a SAG Wagon following the back of the peloton, and riders will be offered transport for themselves and their bike back to Aphrodite Hills. Roads will be re-opened to the traffic once the timing car has passed.

CUT-OFF AREAS

Cut-off areas are in place at each Feed Station on the course. Cut-off times will be advertised on the website.

With a route that is as stunning as it is challenging, the 1st edition of L'Etape Cyprus will be one to remember. The 136 Km course features two categorized climbs, totaling over 3000 m in elevation, traversing Cyprus' Wester Region and exposing the Paphos coastline and Troodos Mountains.
Starting at the golf hills of Paphos, you will set out on Aphrodite Hills Avenue towards Kouklia Village where you will enter the B6 main road. After 2 Km, you will enter Kouklia Village. The left-hand lane will be fully closed so you will have the chance to spread out across the road. Make sure you keep hydrated here as the first major climb of the day is fast approaching! At the BK mark, the Mt Olympus QOM/KOM commences. From that point, you will face a challenging 62 Km ascent at an average gradient of 2.9%. Such a long climb is likely to be a leg-zapper and with so far still to race, pacing will be key. Breathe in the fresh country air and enjoy the surrounding nature. You will exit Kouklia Village and travel through the quaint Oreites Forest and Oreites Wind Farm. Be aware of unpaved access roads in this section. Next, the course will continue weaving along the undulating vineyards of Pano Archimandrita before the 20 km challenging climb to Mousere. You continue riding along until reaching the first Feed Zone at Dora Village.

Dora Feed Zone will be positioned at the 25.9 km mark on the left-hand side of the road. Riders will have the opportunity to stop, refuel and hydrate before the upcoming course separation for The Race and The Ride. Cyclists not wishing to stop here can proceed straight, staying on the left side of the road. Shortly after the Dora feed station, the route for The Race and The Ride will split (at 26 Km). The Race will continue straight towards Mallia Village on E614, whilst The Ride will take a sharp right and cross around Dora Village heading into Dora valley.

After passing through the first Feed Station, you will start your descent into Dora Valley. This course brings spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and Oreites Wind Farm, however, be sure to keep your wits about you and control your speed as there are a few sharp hairpins to navigate on the way down. Please obey the traffic marshals and warning signs on the descent, cautioning riders to slow down.

Once you reach the bottom of the descent, at 48.8 Km riders will have one last opportunity to stop before the Finish at Pissouri Village Feed Station. This will be positioned on the left-hand side of the road. Cyclists wanting to continue straight onto the finish must stay on the left-hand side of the road.

With less than 15 km to the finish line, you will make your way back along the B6 main road. Please be aware that there are roadworks at the SSKm mark (Petra tou Romiou). Traffic Marshals may need to briefly stop riders if there is a need to do so. Finally, you will be back in familiar territory as the course turns right into Aphrodite Hills for the last climb of the day. A short (l7 km) but challenging climb with an average of 7 % will lead you to the home stretch. After a final sharp right turn into Agapinoros Avenue, you will be heading to the Finish line at Aphrodite Hills Resort

Download gpx file

Download gpx file

START LINE - Aphrodite Hills
water, electrolytes, coffee

A. 27 KM- Dora
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

B.44 KM - Kato Platres
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

C.68 KM - Troodos Square
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

D.101KM-Pachna 
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

E.121 KM- Pissouri 
water, electrolytes, fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cookies, cakes

FINISH LINE - Aphrodite Hills
water, beer, fresh fruit, sandwiches

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

•Medical tent at the Start / Finish Line
• Ambulance at the 5 Water / Feed Stations
• Ambulance behind The Race
• Ambulance behind The Ride
• Medical Crew throughout the race convoy

MECHANICAL SERVICES

•Mechanical Station at the Village
• Mechanical Service prior to the start of the race
• Mechanical Vehicle in the convoy behind The Race / The Ride
• Fixed Mechanical Stations at the Water/ Feed Stations

SAG WAGON

A SAG Wagon will travel at the back of the peloton behind the Timing vehicle to transport riders who can no longer participate in the event due to medical,mechanical, or physical reasons. There will be a bus and truck which will provide riders and their bikes with a lift back to the Village.

L'Etape Cyprus is held on a rolling road closure system. Cut-off times have been determined to respect the road re-opening timings.

CUT-OFF TIMES

The slowest average speed for the Race and the Ride has been calculated considering both elevations. A timing car with a clock on the roof will travel at the back of the peloton and follow the slowest average speed for The Race and The Ride.
Any rider overtaken by the timing car will be declared "Out of Race" and will not be able to access Mechanical Assistance, Medical Assistance, or any of the Feed Stations after this point There will be a SAG Wagon following the back of the peloton, and riders will be offered transport for themselves and their bike back to Aphrodite Hills. Roads will be re-opened to the traffic once the timing car has passed.

CUT-OFF AREAS

Cut-off areas are in place at each Feed Station on the course. Cut-off times will be advertised on the website.

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All riders will receive a timing chip in their registration pack. The timing chip must be attached to the front of their handlebars. Please do not bend your number with the chip on, this will damage the chip and your time will not be recorded. The chip will record your overall time and classification. The main timing points will be at the Start/Finish line. There will also be 4 other points set up on the course to record the QOM/KOM classification.

BIKE
Please make sure it is in good condition! There will be mechanics at the start venue and at the Feed Stations on the route, but we would advise making sure your bike is in tip-top condition prior to arriving at the event

HELMET
Helmets are compulsory and must be worn on the day.

DRINK BOTTLES & REFRESHMENTS
You will be able to replenish the Feed Stations but ensure you start with the right­sustenance with you (full drink bottles, snacks, etc).

BIKE REPAIR KIT
Your bike repair kit - spare inner tubes, pump, puncture repair including tire levers, multi-tool, chain tool, Shimano pin, etc. There will be mechanical support around the route.

CLOTHING
Conditions may vary greatly across the distance of the route, so please ensure you bring windproof gear, sunscreen, a mobile phone, and some form of identification.

5 TIPS FOR FUELLING ON THE DAY

1. Aim to consume 30-60g of carbohydrates per hour of riding.
2. Eat and drink consistently on the ride. Set your watch alarm to go off every 20 minutes as a reminder.
3. To ensure your carbohydrate stores are full, consume a carbohydrate-rich snack 15- 30 mins before the start Good options include an energy bar or a banana.
4. Prepare food to eat post-ride and boost recovery, 15-30 minutes after a ride the body can replace energy stores at 150% of the normal rate.
5. Remember to always test your nutrition plan in training prior to the ride.

KEY NUTRITION TIMINGS

1. Fuel & Hydrate: It is important that in the days leading to race day your carbohydrate stores are high and that you are well hydrated. Think about adding high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, or pasta to your meals 2 days out and adding electrolytes to your water.
2. Maintaining Energy Stores: Eat before you get hungry! It is essential that you continuously top up your energy stores throughout the ride. Eating high-carb foods every 30 minutes will help you perform better and reduce fatigue. If you leave it until you are feeling depleted, it is too late.
3. Refuel and Repair: You must refuel with carbohydrates and proteins immediately after you finish a ride whether it be training or racing. You have a 20-minute window to refuel before your muscles start to break down. Be prepared and have a bar/sandwich/shake ready for when you stop your session.