Published: 2th January 2025 | Last Updated: 2nd December 2025 | Updated every year to reflect the latest requirements | Reading time: 3 minutes
By Dr Simon Shaw | Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Fit Certify
Every year, more than 15,000 amateur cyclists take on one of the hardest one-day events in Europe — riding a full mountain stage of the Tour de France, complete with brutal gradients, alpine descents, and unpredictable weather. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday 19 July 2026.
Before you clip in, there’s an essential requirement you can’t skip: you must provide a valid medical certificate to participate.
This short guide explains everything you need to know — including the fastest way to get your certificate signed online by a qualified sports doctor.
L’Étape du Tour is a unique mass-participation cycling event that lets amateur riders tackle a complete official Tour de France mountain stage — including closed roads, timing chips, KOM/QOM sections, and thousands of spectators lining the climbs.
You can expect:
This isn’t just a sportive. It’s a full-gas day in the mountains, with no shortcuts and no easy way out.
Yes.
Under French cycling regulations, all participants must present a valid medical certificate confirming they are fit to participate in competitive cycling. Your certificate must:
Without a valid certificate, your registration will be cancelled and you won’t be allowed to start.
If you need your L’Étape medical certificate reviewed and signed by a doctor, Fit Certify makes it quick, easy, and fully compliant with French regulations.
Share a few details about your general health and medical history.
One of our expert sports medical doctors will assess your suitability for competitive cycling.
If fit, you’ll receive a signed and stamped medical certificate by email — usually within just a few hours
A doctor-reviewed and signed medical certificate for L’Étape du Tour is just £69 with Fit Certify.
Hear from other cyclists who got their sports medical certificates with Fit Certify.
Yes! L’Étape events over the years have provided a standard medical certificate template stating that you have “no contraindications for participating in cycling competitions”. You can typically download this from the organiser’s website or request a copy from them directly.
To participate in L’Étape du Tour 2026, your medical certificate must meet French Federation standards. These include:
L’Étape du Tour is a tough day out. Riders spend hours climbing at high intensity, often in hot, exposed alpine conditions, before tackling long, technical descents when they’re already fatigued. The combination of altitude, heat, dehydration, and time pressure can push even experienced cyclists beyond their normal limits.
For anyone with underlying health issues — such as high blood pressure, asthma, previous heart rhythm problems, sleep apnoea, or a history of chest pain or surgery — those stresses can turn an otherwise manageable condition into a serious risk on the road. Medical support is available, but access isn’t immediate when you’re halfway up a mountain pass with thousands of riders around you.
The medical certificate isn’t just paperwork. It’s a way of confirming that you’ve been screened, assessed, and deemed fit to take on a full day of hard, sustained effort in demanding conditions, helping to reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening problems during the event.
Possibly. The L’Étape certificate often includes their logo, which may not be accepted by other events. At Fit Certify, you can request a general competitive cycling certificate that is valid for 12 months, at no extra cost.
Most online providers deliver your certificate within a few days. At Fit Certify, we guarantee same-day service, issuing your certificate within just a few hours.
Yes! As long as a licensed doctor signs the certificate and confirms no health contraindications, online certificates are fully accepted.
A truly legendary route awaits at L’Étape du Tour de France 2026. On Sunday 19 July 2026, riders will take on 170 km of mountain roads with an enormous 5,400 m of elevation gain, tackling four iconic Tour de France climbs in a single day.
The 2026 edition is already being described as one of the hardest routes in the event’s history. You’ll be tested on the long, unforgiving slopes of the Col de la Croix de Fer, the steep ramps of the Col du Télégraphe, the high-altitude challenge of the Col du Galibier, and the rugged, exposed ascent of the Col de Sarenne.
📅 Dates: Sunday 19 July 2026
📍 Start: Le Bourg-d’Oisans
📍 Finish: Alpe d’Huez
⛰️ Elevation Gain: 5400m
🌐 Registration: via the ASO platform
🛣️ Distance: 170km
📧 Support: Contact organisers at letapedutour@aso.fr or via call them at +33 (0)9 69 36 88 21
L’Étape du Tour is a bucket-list challenge — and getting your medical certificate sorted is one of the first steps in your preparation. With Fit Certify, the process is fast, online and 100% compliant with French regulations.
Get your cycling medical certificate today and get race-ready for the L’Etape 2026!
Sports Medicine Doctor • Athlete • Founder & Medical Director at Fit Certify
I’m Simon – I’m a UK and US-trained sports and exercise medicine doctor, family physician, GP, academic researcher, and the founder of Fit Certify. For the past few years I’ve been leading a team of sports doctors who specialise in medical certification for endurance events across Europe.
As someone who rides and runs myself, I know how much effort goes into preparing for an event like L’Etape — and how disheartening it can be to get stuck on paperwork at the last hurdle. That’s why Fit Certify exists: to make the process simple, fast, and fully compliant with French regulations, so nothing stands between you and the start line.
If you need advice or run into any issues, just drop us an email at hello@fitcertify.com. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and should not replace personalised medical advice.
Your Guide to Getting a Medical Certificate for the Maratona dles Dolomites Dr Simon Shaw, Chief Medical Officer @ Fit Certify | 16th January 2025 | hello@fitcertify.com Contents The Maratona dles Dolomites is one of the most iconic cycling events in the world, set against the stunning backdrop of the
Whether you’re preparing for your next marathon, triathlon, or cycling event, we’ve got you covered. Select your certificate type below and get race-ready today.
Same-day cycling medical certificate for race or event participation — issued and signed by a qualified sports doctor.
Same-day marathon medical certificate for race entry — issued and signed by a qualified sports doctor.
Get your triathlon medical certificate on the same day — officially issued by experienced sports doctors for events across Europe and worldwide.
Same-day Fit to Play medical certificate — issued and signed by a qualified sports doctor to confirm you’re ready for participation.
Need a medical certificate for windsurfing? Get yours the same day, signed by a sports doctor and valid for clubs, training, and international competitions.
Get your martial arts medical certificate on the same day — officially issued by experienced sports doctors for clubs and competitions worldwide.
Same-day golf buggy medical certificate — issued and signed by a qualified doctor to confirm medical eligibility for buggy use.
Same-day non-competitive sports medical certificate — issued and signed by a qualified sports doctor to confirm fitness for recreational activity.