Family spirit shines down on the 2023 étape du tour

Together, they embarked on a demanding stage from Annemasse to Morzine, covering 157km with an elevation gain of 4100m. Let's take a look back at the unforgettable moments of this edition, infused with the essence of Julbo's partnership.

The Power of Unity: The Julbo Family Conquers All

When a brand uses the term "family spirit," it can often be misconstrued as mere marketing rhetoric. Yet the interactions among our thirty guests throughout the weekend proved that this spirit ran deep within them. Maxime Marotte, an elite XCO MTB athlete, summed it up beautifully when he said, "I'm continually amazed by our shared passion for sports, the mutual respect, and the engaging conversations that spring up effortlessly."

From the pre-race warm-up to the bib collection, from the exhilarating photo session to the meticulous equipment preparation, and finally, the Sunday night post-race debrief, there were the consistent themes of mutual support, cheerful atmosphere and light-hearted camaraderie. Some participants such as Arthur Blanc, Maxime Marotte, Ian Boswell, Emilien Jacquelin and Anthonin Guigonnat, had come to fight for the top spots. Others, like Vivian Bruchez, Enak Gavaggio, Léo Slémett, Yuri Hauswald and many more, sought simply to experience the thrill of riding alongside 16,000 fellow enthusiasts on closed roads. No matter their goals or pace, all crossed the finish line with a sense of personal accomplishment.

"As fast as possible, as slow as necessary" was the mantra of Vivian Bruchez, an expert steep skier who fearlessly traded his skis for a bicycle, facing equally challenging gradients albeit in tipped upwards rather than down. It was inspired by this philosophy that our guests and collaborators embarked on their own personal journeys. Jonathan, a journalist from Outlines, described his experience vividly, saying, "Having never done an actual race, I found myself immersed in a completely new universe alongside many Sunday cyclists just like me. Together, we endured the hardships, encouraging each other like brothers in arms as we battled through the breath-taking landscapes of Chablais."

A Gourmet Route for All Participants

Regardless of each participant’s background, be they a seasoned pedaller, a trained athlete or a curious novice, the Étape du Tour de France presents an imposing challenge every year, and particularly when the weather decides to have its say. In the 2023 edition, one aspect demanded meticulous attention: managing the exertion. 2023 was no different and managing one’s effort over the hours became an art in itself. Following the start in Annemasse and a relatively-uneventful first 10 kilometres, the riders were swiftly greeted by roads tipping towards the sky. The Col de Saxel pass (4.1km at 4.6%) was the first test, a mere appetizer as the race entered the foothills of the Chablais region. It was followed by a brief descent before the Col du Cou (7km at 7.5%) and Col du Feu passes (5.7km at 7.8%) appeared ahead. Without being too aggressive, these slopes still demanded cautious negotiation to avoid overdoing things too early, whilst staying on top of hydration and nutrition to maintain energy levels for the bigger climbs to come. After this introductory triad of categorized challenges, the now-traditional "Julbo segment" awaited the riders on the Col de Jambaz, a rolling yet deceptively tough climb of 6.8km at a steady 3.8%. This segment saw an eruption of fervour amongst numerous riders, with three members of our Strava club receiving a pair of the coveted Density Étape du Tour glasses as a testament to their endeavour.

Having completed the descent from the summit of Col de Jambaz, the riders prepared to engage with the pièce de resistance, the Col de Ramaz (14km at 6.9%), followed by the icing on the cake, the mighty Col de Joux-Plane (11.5km at 8.5%). These two monsters were an intimidating prospect for most at the start and it was during the first of the two ascents that our digital marketing maestro, Francis, was plagued by mechanical failure that saw him grinding up 10% inclines in the big chainring! For many other, these two climbs were unsurprisingly the scene of numerous difficulties and suffering exacerbated by the sweltering heat. Nonetheless, these majestic passes provided each cyclist with the opportunity to tap into unsuspected inner resources and find new limits!

In the interests of safety, the official race clock was stopped at the summit of Joux-Plane, ensuring a tranquil descent to the finish line, bereft of unnecessary risk after a gruelling day in the saddle. The finish arch greeted numerous weary but smiling faces, amongst them Benoit, sales representatives for Julbo Canada.

Julbo: Etching its Mark in the Peloton

Beyond the impressive performances and personal achievements of all participants during this edition of the Étape du Tour de France, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who place their trust in us and embrace our values by proudly donning Julbo glasses in their sporting endeavours—or simply in their everyday lives. Whether it was at the exhibitors' village, where hundreds of you visited us, or within the peloton itself, an increasing number of you are choosing to don our colors and products. This burgeoning support is a testament to the trust you have placed in us, and for that, we extend our sincere appreciation. Julbo has recently made its mark in the world of cycling with specialized products and partnerships, including the professional cycling team Groupama-FDJ. However, we always remember that our most influential and cherished ambassadors are YOU!

As a token of gratitude, we ran a daily giveaway over the weekend, offering a pair of Density "Étape du Tour de France" glasses on our Instagram account @julbo_bike. If you missed this opportunity, fear not, for this exclusive model is still available HERE.

We sincerely hope you enjoyed sharing these incredible three days with us (if not, you can catch up HERE). A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Julbo Family for embracing the challenges and embodying the love for sport. We are already excited for the next edition of "l’Étape" and look forward to seeing you again soon on @julbo_bike.