Tabasco joins the global sports tourism scene with L’Etape by Tour de France, a cycling event scheduled for September 6, 2026, for the first time.
The route will run between Villahermosa, Teapa, Tlacotalpa, and Xalapa, and will feature three distances for competitors: 35 km (sprint), 55 km (short stage), and 125 km (long stage).
Each distance will allow amateur cyclists to experience the Tour de France firsthand, replicating the demands and atmosphere of the French race.
“Events like L’Etape Tabasco not only promote sports but also generate economic development, tourism, and international recognition for the state,” stated Katia Ornelas Gil, Tabasco’s Secretary of Tourism.
She also acknowledged that the state’s natural beauty is a key factor in its appeal.
“There is a wealth of natural beauty, since urban sprawl hasn’t yet covered the entire territory, leaving us with stunning landscapes for cyclists to enjoy throughout the jungle paradise,” Ornelas Gil stated.
For this edition in Tabasco, more than 1,500 cyclists are expected to participate, along with over 5,000 fans who will come to enjoy the event.
Tabasco is no longer just a spectator; it is becoming a protagonist in a global event, a protagonist in a unique experience, a protagonist in a story that connects the local with the international.
The routes were designed by Tour de France experts and will feature high safety standards, with support vehicles, ambulances, and route monitoring.
Infrastructure and safety also influenced the organizers’ decision to approve the event; they said that the conditions for each cyclist, not only in terms of an incredible route, but also their protection, are paramount.
“The main challenge has been security, and Tabasco has surprised us, not only because of the state government’s willingness to help, but also because of the infrastructure and connectivity they offer for hosting the event,” said Omar García Morín, sports director of L’Etape in Mexico.
He added that the infrastructure and security also influenced the organization’s decision to give the green light; he said that the conditions for each cyclist, not only in terms of an incredible route, go hand in hand with their protection.
“Today we are not here to announce a sporting event, we are here to announce a decision regarding protection, a decision that speaks of confidence, a decision made after analyzing several venues in the country. Furthermore, Tabasco was not chosen at random; it was a strategic choice. Why Tabasco? Because of its growth potential,” García Morín concluded.
Participants and winners will receive a medal featuring a lizard and the name of the competition. L’Etape Tabasco is part of the global platform L’Etape by Tour de France, created in 1993 to allow non-professional cyclists to experience a real Tour de France stage.
For the organizers, the choice of Tabasco also reflects the current security conditions and the opportunity to showcase a renewed image of the state to the world.
THREE OPTIONS:
Sprint Route (35 km): from Villahermosa to Playas del Rosario
Short Route (55 km): from Villahermosa to Francisco J. Santamaría, Jalapa
Long Route (125 km): circuit through Villahermosa, Teapa, Tacotalpa, Jalapa, and Playas del Rosario
DID YOU KNOW?
It’s worth noting that L’Étape México by Tour de France is an amateur cycling series that recreates the experience of the French race in Mexico.
Source: diariobasta
