Record-Breaking Turnout and Bradley Wiggins Light Up the Hilly L’Etape Czech Republic 2025

The Hilly L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France 2025, the country’s largest amateur cycling race, recorded a record number of participants. Over 3,000 cyclists set off from Strahov on Saturday across three different course lengths. Among them was none other than Bradley Wiggins, winner of the 2012 Tour de France and five-time Olympic champion. The fifth edition of this major Czech amateur cycling event, which takes place on closed roads, is supported by the City of Prague and the Central Bohemian Region.

“A brilliant day on the bike. I absolutely loved it, despite the rather hot weather. But the fans were fantastic. In some places wonderfully crazy – just like on the Tour de France. I think I witnessed the incredible passion Czechs have for cycling,” said Bradley Wiggins as he arrived at the finish line in Strahov. At the fan point in Sýkořice, at the Khulna Kaava café, he enjoyed a coffee and sweet pastry during a signing session, spending plenty of time with fans. He posed for photos with grannies as well as preschool children.

“It had an amazing atmosphere. Really perfect,” Wiggins said of the planned stop. As he left, he passed through a corridor of several hundred fans and was visibly impressed. “Brilliant. Just brilliant. Like on the Tour,” he smiled. “That was the best 30 seconds of my cycling life,” laughed his partner Courtney, who rode the event alongside the five-time Olympic champion.

Bradley Wiggins was more than happy to give autographs and pose for photos even at the feed zones, where he diligently refilled his bidons. He often pulled out his phone from the back pocket of his Škoda We Love Cycling jersey to film videos or take photos. “The route was great. The landscape was absolutely stunning. And the roads we rode on were perfect too. Definitely an exceptional cycling experience,” said Wiggins, ambassador of the Škoda We Love Cycling Hilly L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France 2025.

The fastest riders in the main 139 km category, with just under 2,000 metres of elevation gain, were Kristýna Zemanová of Vif Cycling Team and Jan Brňák from Lawi Stars Giant.

“I experienced L’Etape for the first time last year in Prachatice. This was my debut in the Hilly Stage. And I’m honestly thrilled. I think I saw how cycling can truly bring people together,” said Kristýna Zemanová at the finish. Second place went to Denisa Slámová of team Cyklotrénink, who finished over three minutes behind. Third was Jana Milec Jiřincová from TFD, nearly ten minutes back.

“The national road cycling championships are in a week, so I treated this race as preparation. I didn’t hold back at all. I think it was a perfect way to test my form before fighting for the national champion’s jersey,” said Zemanová.

“I enjoyed every moment of the day. I love the L’Etape set-up – it’s unlike any other race we do. And there were fans by the roadside even in the tiniest villages, which is just incredible,” added the winner of the longest route.

The men’s battle for victory in the main category was far more dramatic. During the climb from Městečko towards Velká Buková, Robert Hula from team Fany Gastro Integray L27 broke away solo and stayed in front for dozens of kilometres. But on the penultimate climb near Motol hospital, the chasing group caught him, and the winner emerged from their ranks. During the final king of the mountains segment, Jan Brňák pushed hardest, opened up a slight gap, and crossed the finish line alone.

“This is my biggest victory. I rode at the front for a long time with Robert Hula, but couldn’t keep up from Městečko. On the climb from Roztoky, a group caught up with me and we worked together really well. But I didn’t think I’d win – Michal Kollert and Petr Fiala were teammates of Robert’s and didn’t help close the gap, so I expected to be outmatched. But I gave it a go, and surprisingly had the best legs on the climb to Spiritka,” described Brňák in his fight for the yellow jersey, in Tour de France style.

“The atmosphere was amazing. Sometimes you go all in on a climb just to show off in front of the crowd – and then you suffer for the rest of it. But it’s a brilliant experience,” said the Lawi Stars-Giant rider. Second place went to Martin Šrajer of Cyklotrener TOS Varnsdorf, while third was Michal Kollert of Fany Gastro Integray L27.

Former top Czech cyclists also took part in ambassador roles – including Tereza Huříková, Zdeněk Štybar, Tomáš Bábek, and Petr Čech, former goalkeeper for Chelsea, Arsenal, and the Czech national football team, who rode the medium route.

“I’ve been to L’Etape at Strahov before – but this was my first time on the course. And it was a special experience. I was surprised that people were cheering even outside of the fan points. In the forest sections, there were loads of spectators, which really gave us energy. Just like when I had the chance to chat with cyclists while riding – whether I overtook them or they overtook me. Everyone was full of praise for L’Etape,” said Petr Čech at the finish, co-owner of the organising agency Petr Čech Sport.

“It’s a great endorsement for us when Bradley Wiggins says he felt like he was back on the Tour de France. If a five-time Olympic gold medallist gives such praise, that’s something truly special,” Čech added. He completed the 97 km route in three hours and seven minutes. “My goal was to go under 3:20, and I did that with time to spare. It’s given me huge motivation to train more, so that next year I can tackle either the Long or Medium route with a much faster average speed,” he said.

At the Strahov village, the L’Etape Czech Republic also featured a rich accompanying programme including the Kubík Family Ride and the Kubík Tour. Along the route, there were fifteen official fan points, with many more supporters lining the Long, Medium, and Short courses – creating a unique and lively atmosphere.

The Hilly Stage was the first of two acts of L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France. The second takes place on 2 August 2025 in Prachatice, with the Mountain Stage, supported by the South Bohemian Region. Last year’s inaugural edition attracted nearly a thousand starters. This year, both riders and fans can look forward to the participation of the 2010 Tour de France winner. Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck – who took part in the Hilly Stage back in 2022 – will be racing.

L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France is part of the global series organised under the patronage of A.S.O., taking place across nearly thirty destinations on different continents.