Grand Tours Project

Eight days of intense racing across northern France and Grand Tours Project invites you to join us on our first ever French women's racing event.

Right from the start, this race has the full support of the race organisers and sponsors. The men's race finishes in Paris on 24 July and the women's starts that same day, same place. The media coverage will be intense and cycle fans will line the Parisian route. This day will be huge and will make a memorable start to a new era of women's cycling.

Although only 8 days of racing, this is the perfect opportunity to ride on and along a full professional race route through the beautiful French countryside including the world class wine region of Champagne before heading into the hills and challenging mountains that are regular features of the Men's tour.

Join us for 3, 6 or 9 stages on this inaugural epic French race. Various options and duration of tours are available. Get in touch for full information!

You will need to be a strong cyclist to achieve this challenge, but you don’t need to be an elite athlete … ours is a journey, not a race, and we’ll leave enough time on each day to enjoy our lunch breaks and photo stops. Once we conclude the stage every day, we’ll sit back and watch the race as the “fight for pink” takes place only a couple of hours after us.

There are very limited spaces on these tours – Guaranteeing maximum support and personalized attention to each guest, supported by multiple expert guides and drivers/mechanics. This small group will ride together and will always have the support vehicles close by – with drinks, snacks and dry clothing. Riding on the racecourse just a few hours before the pros, with the support of the crowds and our team, makes this an unforgettable experience.

Ride. Every. Kilometre. of each stage in the morning ahead of the professional racers. Yes really. Grand Tours Project has successfully run these tours for several years.

Choose from:

• Week 1 Albania and Southern Italy 12 days
  Start your adventure in Albania, a land of contrasts and rich history. Though just across the Adriatic from Italy, Albania remains an enigmatic destination. Once part of the Ottoman Empire, it endured decades of totalitarianism before emerging as a modern, secular, and increasingly prosperous nation. Its landscapes tell stories of past cultures – Greek, Roman, Turkish, and Russian – while its wild interior boasts rich biodiversity, including the Vjosa River, Europe’s first Wild River National Park.
  After exploring northern Albania, the challenge continues as we cross to Italy for Week 1 of the Giro d’Italia. The route combines flat, rolling, and mountainous stages, taking you through Puglia, the wild Apennines, and into Tuscany. This is your chance to test your fitness, push your limits, and discover an Italy you’ve never seen before – all with full support from Grand Tours Project.
• Week 2 Tuscany to Northern Italy 8 days
  The second week of the Giro d’Italia in 2025 entails an ITT from Lucca to Pisa, before the stages crossing from Ligurian coast over to the flat Lombardy, Veneto and Fruili-Venetian regions. This week still finds a mountain near Lucca on Stage 11 and finishes in the Asiago Prealps after passing over both Muro Ca del Poggio and Monte Grappa on the final stage of Week 2. Plus you will enter Slovenia to finish Stage 14 in Nova Gorica and we can guarantee that the finish there will be thunderous and never to be forgotten!
• Week 3 Italian Alps & Roma 8 days
  We’re offering the opportunity for fit amateur cyclists to Ride Every Kilometre of stages 16 – 21, on the same day as the race ahead of the caravan and pros. We’ll be riding through some beautiful and spectacular regions of Italy with a VIP Finish and Podium access along the route. Instead, the race route travels from the flat Veneto region into the Vicentine Alps and Trentino, through the All’Adige crossing over Tonale and the legendary Mortirolo into Bormio. Stage 18 is a ‘recovery day’ before the mountains loom up again in the French-influenced Valle d’Aosta. The final mountain day includes the Cima Coppi, Colle de Finstre and quite probably gravel for the final 7 km of the ascent! BUT one more ascent to finish the stage at Sestriere before a very flat ride in Rome for Stage 21.

Saudi Arabia has firmly put itself on the luxury tourism map as a gem of a destination, with the stunning desert landscape of AlUla its cycling capital – as seen in the AlUla Tour (formerly Saudi Tour) and through its sponsorship of the men’s and women’s World Tour Team Jayco AlUla. Located in the province of Medina in the north west of the Kingdom, AlUla is a city of great historical and cultural significance, with a rich heritage dating back thousands of years. The city is home to many ancient ruins, including the famous AlUla Old Town, with the region known for its natural beauty of desert canyons and towering sandstone cliffs, and now luxury accommodation and world-class cuisine.

AlUla is a tranquil desert sanctuary that invites you to discover an uncharted new world. If you are looking for somewhere different for your winter miles and to escape the cold, consider this unique, beautiful and other-worldly destination. We’ve been to try it out and promise you are in for a treat!

Experience cycling like nowhere else in the world, in ideal temperature through wondrous landscapes of peculiar rock formations and sandstone mountains. We’ll be joined by a local guide and member of the Saudi Cycling Federation, with the support of the Royal Commission for AlUla to help us discover the best of the region in our tour.

Your accommodation will be at the 5* Banyan Tree resort in the Ashar Valley, a desert retreat with luxurious tented villas and spa, inspired by the natural and mysterious surroundings.

If this hasn't convinced you, wait until you discover the special post-ride activities, which include cultural tours such as a special visit to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, adventure escapades, mountain-top lunches, spectacularly-set Michelin dinners and desert stargazing.

Whether you are looking for a unique cycling tour experience or a relaxing getaway, with its rich history, stunning natural beauty, superb accommodation and range of activities, AlUla is a must-visit destination.

Highlights

• Escape to reliably temperate climes
• Climb the same ascents as seen in the mountain stages of the Saudi Tour
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage listed sites
• Discover an ancient kingdom at a crossroads of civilisations and on famous incense trading routes
• Relax in a luxurious desert resort with 5* tented villas and spa
• Savour international and world-class cuisine
• Expert planning and support from our team (guides, mechanics, drivers)
• Approval from the Saudi Cycling Federation and Royal Commission for AlUla

Join us for the ultimate Giro d’Italia 205 tour on one of our ‘Experience’ – Leisure tours, as we ride 70-110km each day and witness the live stage each day. You will have more time to watch the race at the finish line, visit the VIP zones, enjoy poolside drinks at the hotel, and explore the village we’re staying in each evening.

"This experience of riding on the same course as the pros, and just a few hours ahead of them, is unique in the sporting world. The atmosphere is simply incredible." Keith Tuffley, Founder - Grand Tours Project.

Choose from:

• Week 1 - Southern Italy, Apennines & Tuscany
  From sunlit shores of the South to rolling hills of Tuscany, the first week of the 2025 Giro d’Italia offers a blend of cultural richness and athletic spectacle. Visit the Unesco World Heritage Site of Alberobello, vibrant Amalfi Coast, the remote Abruzzo region, and Tuscany’s Siena.
• Week 2 - Tuscany, Emilia Romagna & Veneto
  This is where the race truly finds its rhythm, weaving through the iconic landscapes and cultural treasures of northern Italy. This is a journey steeped in history, as many of these roads and towns have witnessed the Giro’s greatest battles. Pisa, with its world-renowned Torre di Pisa, welcomes riders with the timeless challenge of the time trial : a discipline that has crowned legends like Ganna and Coppi in the past.
• Week 3 - Italian Alps
  The mountains in Week 3 are always challenging in Italy, in keeping with the Giro d’Italia description ‘the toughest race in the world’s most beautiful place’ and this time there is gravel as well on the Cime Coppi, Colle delle Finestre! Another famous climb includes Mortirolo as well as numerous other lesser known gems like Santa Barbara, Saint-Pantaleon and Joux.

In 2025 Tadej Pogačar will be defending his win and the Maglia Rosa. He won by a huge margin in 2024, can he and his team, UAE Team Emirates do it again?

It has become increasingly popular with summer tourists along its stunning coastline but despite its proximity to the West, it remains something of a mystery.

Once part of the Ottoman Empire, Albania gained independence in 1912, only to be invaded during World War II and later endure decades of totalitarian Communist rule, which was marked by religious repression and isolation. It wasn’t until the Soviet revolutions of 1989-1991 that Albania began its transformation.

Today, despite centuries of foreign domination and the hardships of the 20th century, Albania is recognized for its religious tolerance, secular government, and growing economy, classified as upper-middle-income. The country boasts a rich historical heritage, influenced by Greek, Roman, Turkish, and Russian cultures, while also embodying modernity with a well-educated, equitable society. Yet, it still holds on to its traditional roots.

Albania is a safe destination, with a booming coastal tourism industry, though its inland areas remain wild and remote. The country is also known for its exceptional biodiversity, home to many endangered species of European wildlife. In 2023, the Vjosa River was designated Europe’s first Wild River National Park, further highlighting Albania’s natural significance.

The GTP Grand Partenza Experience will showcase the best of Albania during the first 3 stages of the Giro – coastal rides, tours on immaculate roads into the hills between Durrës, Tiranë and Vlorë plus ride the full ITT route in Tiranë, as well as access to the VIP Hospitality areas at Stages 1 and 2.

Highlights

• Experience the thrill of the official opening team’s presentation and witness three stages live!
• Cross the official Stage 1 & 2 Giro Finish and mount the official Winners' Podium
• Entry to the Giro VIP Lounge at Stage 1 Finish line
• Ride the full ITT course in Tiranë
• Watch the pros passing on Stage 3 in the best vantage point alongside the road
• Ride along the coast and stop to enjoy the white sandy beaches
• Enjoy the culinary delights of the Albanian and Adriatic coast

Level of fitness: MEDIUM - fit enough to ride 2 to 4 hours or 50 to 100 km per day

Mallorca! Yes, we have designed a breathtaking scenic 6 days of riding in the the UNESCO Serra de Tramuntana – pine and oak forested mountains, captivating coastal landscapes, ancient olive, orange and almond groves, picturesque medieval villages and of course delicious Mallorcan produce.

Mallorca outside of the summer season is perfect for getting ready for European summer cycling or for winding down after a busy summer. Not too hot, not peak season …just right.

This island is a cycling mecca for road bikers, and for good reason too... It's not only the training destination of many pro teams and riders (think Team Ineos and Bradley Wiggins), but the island boasts sunshine, mountains, dramatic scenery routes, quaint villages, dramatic seascapes, delicious local produce...and of course cycle-friendly routes and challenges.

At Grand Tours Project, we simply love La Vuelta! And after the last edition which was such an exciting race, we can't wait to be there again . We'll be riding every kilometre of this amazing race, just a few hours ahead of the pros, and the small group of cyclists who join us will experience for themselves why this event is as grand as the other two Grand Tours.

You will need to be a strong cyclist to achieve this challenge, but you don't need to be an elite athlete. Ours is a journey, not a race, and we'll leave enough time on each day to enjoy our lunch breaks and photo stops. Once we cross the finish line each day, we'll sit back and watch the race as the "fight for red" takes place only a couple of hours after us.

There are very limited spaces on this tour - with the ratio of 7 riders : 1 guide. This small group will ride together and will always have the support van close by - with drinks, snacks and dry clothing. Riding on the race course just a few hours before the pros, with the support of the crowds and our team, makes this an unforgettable experience.

We return to one of our favourite cycling regions in the whole world - the beautiful Dolomites - for the 35th edition (2022) of the Maratona dels Dolomites Enel. The race is one of the most prestigious granfondos in the world with over 32,000 cyclists competing for 9,000 entries. Join us for this unique event. Start numbers guaranteed!

This short tour is well suited for riders of different levels. The "col collectors" will have the opportunity to tick many boxes from their bucket list and challenge themselves on the long Maratona course (138km). The short (55km) and medium (106km) courses are ideal to get a taste of mountain riding with short and ridiculously scenic climbs."Can I do it?" That's what you may ask yourself. Kath was wondering too before riding the Maratona last year. Read her story here.

Prior to the Maratona Gran Fondo on Sunday, we will enjoy three days of cycling to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites. We will also relax on the day before the event to enjoy the local cuisine, unique culture and extraordinary history of the South Tyrol. All of this with the support of our bike-friendly hotel situated next to the registration village and run by our good friend Klaus.

This trip is ideal for your non-riding partner and your children, who will enjoy a wonderful holiday in the Dolomites; activities such as hiking, a Summer For Kids programme, wellness and golf are available (contact us for more information). There is a Grand Tours Project for everybody!

As an official tour operator of the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel we can guarantee start numbers to this world famous Gran Fondo, which sells out in hours. Book now and guarantee your place in this iconic event as this tour is expected to sell out quickly.

So what is Ride Every Kilometre (REK)? It's the opportunity for you to ride the same full stages as the pros, the day before the actual race. Riding from the start (at a reasonable time!) to the finish; without control checkpoints, detours and less stress trying to race the gendarmes, caravan and the pros! REK has been tried and tested by Keith Tuffley. He succeeded and decided to set up Grand Tours Project to help other cycling fanatics to achieve their dreams of riding the premier cycle races in Europe.

Eight days and 7 nights, with six days of riding from Dunkerque across northern France. Cobblestones make an appearance on Stage 5, before heading to Alsace, into Lausanne Switzerland and our stamping ground around Aigle and Alpes Vaudoise. This REK finishes in France at Chatel, in the ski resort of Les Portes du Soleil. A mixture of flat, hilly and mountainous terrain.

It has perfect roads, minimal traffic, beautiful beaches, and fantastic food. Sardinia also has a great Mediterranean climate, so you’ll enjoy lovely warm conditions while viewing stunning scenery.

You will experience what this island is truly about all while racking up those pre season KM's. We’ll take you to the best restaurants, where the chef cooks exclusively fresh products from the local market. We will visit Caseificio Funtanazza, where the Lampis family has been breeding black sheep for many generations and try some delicious cheese. Instead of tasteless energy bars, they’ll serve you shepherd’s bread, torrone and fregula on the roadside.

The programme, includes: A treasure trove of fantastic food & wines, wild nature and quiet and scenic roads. We start from the shining white quartz beaches of Cabras, hosting the mysterious ancient statues of the Giganti di Monte Prama , then we’ll climb the volcanic massif of the Montiferru, where they graze the Sardinian-Modican red cows producing a rich milk for the delicious cheese Casizzolu del Montiferru, a Slow Food Presidia. The final day we ride heading south along the beautiful Costa Verde across fascinating old mining villages and wild beaches.

We have options for different levels of riders as every loop can be made shorter or longer and you can hop on our support van at any time. Take a short break to explore Sardinia with us and escape the cold to ride in warm weather!