The three jersey climbs are short. Reaching all three with raceable legs after fast fjord roads is the real Trondheim test
The long race leaves Torvet behind a neutral vehicle, reaches Kilometer Zero after 2.2 km, and follows the fjord west toward the first KOM at Côte de Grøset. Rolling Byneset roads lead to Spongdal before the course extends through Buvika and Børsa to Côte de Venn, crosses Melhus, and turns through Klæbu for the final Côte de Ståggån effort. Three short categorized climbs are spread across a fast 128 km race.
For the rider aiming to complete L'Étape Trondheim by Tour de France strongly on seven to eleven hours a week, this twelve-week plan builds durable group speed, repeatable five-to-ten-minute climbing power, wind and wet-road composure, fueling, and late-race sprint reserve for the 128-kilometer, 1,570-meter Trondheim course, its timed Côte de Grøset, Côte de Venn, and Côte de Ståggån climbs, and the separate sprint and KOM jersey competitions.
INSIDE THE FINISHER PLAN — 7–11 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete L'Étape Trondheim by Tour de France Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
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Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party