L'Etape Director: We Enjoy Discovering New Locations

He has already overseen seven L'Etape Czech Republic races as project leader, during which the event has become the largest amateur road cycling race in the country. For the 2026 edition, Přemysl Novák and his team have introduced major changes. The Hill Stage is moving to a new location—although it will still start in Prague. And the second event will, for the first time in Czech history, be entirely flat!

There are, however, many more updates. The head of the entire project, organised under the patronage of A.S.O. and a member of the working group behind the bid for the 2029+ Grand Départ, explains what lies behind the changes.

Why will the sixth edition of the Hill Stage not take place west of Prague in the forests of Křivoklátsko, as in all previous years?

Because Strahov, where we started five times in a row, is undergoing extensive renovation. We had to find another location capable of accommodating at least three thousand cyclists. Pankrác is the ideal alternative for the start of the country’s biggest road race. It offers excellent facilities, a large park, and plenty of parking options. After the descent into Modřany, riders can exit Prague quickly, and the return along Modřanská Street is easy to manage operationally—similar to how we handled Plzeňská in previous years.

Was the choice of the Sázava and Vltava river area deliberate?

We wanted to keep the hilly profile, which the Sázava region provides. At the same time, we needed a location connected to a relatively quick police-escorted exit from Prague. We must minimise the impact on traffic. We also aimed to keep the start in the wider city centre and did not want to move the entire L'Etape Czech Republic base to the outskirts for the Hill Stage. In cooperation with the police, Pankrác was selected.

Will the new Hill Stage profile test the peloton more than the climbs west of Prague did in previous years?

There will still be plenty of climbing, even though the nature of the ascents differs significantly from the previous routes. It will be a war of attrition. King of the Mountains points will be available on all three routes, and there will also be a sprint segment for everyone.

The second L'Etape Czech Republic event will be flat, starting in Pardubice. Why was this location chosen?

We want to be in regions that welcome L'Etape Czech Republic with open arms and where there is genuine interest in hosting the event. In Pardubice and all the municipalities along the route, we received an exceptionally warm reception. Among cyclists, there has long been demand for a flat course, and the Pardubice region is popular for riding. We enjoy discovering locations that might not feature a legendary climb or iconic section, but which are still attractive—whether thanks to their profile, good road surfaces, or enthusiastic spectators.

The Mountain Stage in South Bohemia was known for its great atmosphere, with locals embracing the race. Will L'Etape suffer from the move to a new region?

The feedback from Pardubice and the local communities has been very positive. During our preparations, we encountered a warm response in every municipality, so we expect the race atmosphere to be just as fantastic as it was in Prachatice. I dare say the fan zones will once again be excellent.

The race will be 112 kilometres long, but the elevation gain will not exceed 300 metres. Why did you decide to create a Flat Stage?

Because we already have a Hill Stage and previously had a Mountain Stage. We wanted to offer something for speed-oriented riders as well. Our aim is to organise races that provide a personal challenge for everyone—not a test of survival, but a true racing experience. For many riders, finishing with an average speed above 30 km/h will be a major challenge. And I’m certain that a substantial part of the field will achieve an average speed of 40 km/h.
For safety reasons, the start will be organised in waves of 184 riders, with three-minute intervals between them. And why 184? It’s the number of riders who start the real Tour de France.

What is the Flat Stage like from the race director’s perspective?

Surprisingly, it features many wooded sections and plenty of panoramic views. We also did our best to select roads with high-quality tarmac, which we have succeeded in doing.

The Mountain Stage took place twice during the summer holidays. Why is the Flat L'Etape Czech Republic scheduled for the first weekend of October?

We conducted an analysis of weather conditions for the first Sunday in October over the past fifteen years. The average daytime temperature is seventeen degrees, and rainfall is practically negligible. We won’t be in mountainous terrain, so there’s no reason for concern. We believe cyclists will embrace the autumn date. Riding through autumn landscapes—which can create stunning scenery—will be a big attraction. We’re confident it will make for the perfect end to the road cycling season.

Until now, all L'Etape Czech Republic races were held on Saturdays. This time, the race will start on a Sunday. Why?

It’s an election weekend. Our race takes place on closed roads, and we absolutely do not want to disrupt access to polling stations—which would inevitably happen if the Flat L'Etape Czech Republic were held on Saturday.

In previous years, the ambassador line-up featured major stars, with each edition raising the bar: from Zdeněk Štybar to Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador, and finally Bradley Wiggins. Can fans look forward to another legend at the start of either the Hill Stage or the Flat Stage?

In the post-race feedback survey, we asked the community which cycling superstar from the past they would most like to see riding alongside them in the peloton. Several names emerged from that poll. At the moment, everything is still in negotiation, and it would be premature to reveal any name.