Mysuru: Mysuru is set to receive a global cycling spotlight as the city prepares to host L’Étape Mysuru by Tour de France on October 4, 2026, bringing the international cycling experience to India for the first time.

The event, part of the official L’Étape series inspired by the Tour de France, is expected to bring cyclists from across India and beyond to Mysuru. The route will take riders through the city’s scenic surroundings and include the challenging climb of Chamundi Hills.

The event is being positioned not only as a cycling competition but also as an opportunity to showcase Mysuru’s heritage, landscapes and tourism potential to the international cycling community.

Mysuru becomes India’s first L’Étape destination

L’Étape Mysuru marks the arrival of the Tour de France-inspired amateur cycling series in India. The official 2026 L’Étape calendar lists Mysuru as the Indian destination, with the event scheduled for October 4.

The L’Étape series is operated globally as a Tour de France experience, with events held across different countries. The Mysuru edition is listed as a hilly 100-km event with an elevation gain of 763 metres, alongside shorter formats for other participants.

For Mysuru, the event provides a platform to combine sport with the city’s established tourism identity.

The city’s palaces, heritage buildings, traditional streets and Chamundi Hills offer a distinctive backdrop for the cycling event. The route is designed to give participants an opportunity to experience the city’s landscape while taking part in a professionally organised cycling event.

Chamundi Hills to provide the key challenge

One of the major attractions of the Mysuru edition is the climb towards Chamundi Hills.

The hill section is being treated as a King of the Mountain, or KOM, challenge. Riders will have their timing recorded separately for the climb, with the fastest male and female riders expected to receive the Polka Dot Jersey associated with mountain performances in the Tour de France format.

The inclusion of Chamundi Hills adds a significant climbing element to the route and gives the event a recognisable Mysuru landmark.

The main 100-km route is listed as the competitive format, with the official event site describing the course as hilly and showing an elevation gain of 763 metres.

Four formats for cyclists and families

The event has been structured to accommodate participants with different levels of cycling experience.

The four formats are:

  • 100 km – The Race: The competitive endurance category.
  • 50 km – The Ride: A format aimed at performance and fitness-focused cyclists.
  • 20 km – Family Fun Ride: A shorter option for families and recreational participants.
  • 1 km – Kids Fun Ride: A community-focused ride for younger participants.

The official event platform lists the start times as 6 am for the 100-km race, 7 am for the 50-km ride, 7.30 am for the 20-km family ride and 8 am for the 1-km kids event.

This range of categories allows the event to extend beyond competitive cycling and involve families, children and recreational riders.

Tour de France-style jerseys

The event will also adopt elements of the Tour de France’s iconic jersey system.

The overall winners are associated with the yellow jersey, while sprint performances are represented through the green jersey. The Polka Dot Jersey is linked to the Chamundi Hills climbing challenge, while the white jersey recognises the leading young rider.

The format gives amateur participants an opportunity to experience some of the traditions associated with professional road cycling.

Mysuru’s tourism gets international exposure

The event comes at a time when Mysuru is seeking to strengthen its position as a destination for sports tourism and large-scale events.

While Mysuru is already known internationally for attractions such as Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and its Dasara celebrations, a cycling event with the Tour de France brand provides another way of presenting the city to visitors.

The route around Chamundi Hills and the city’s heritage surroundings can offer cyclists a different perspective of Mysuru compared with conventional sightseeing.

Škoda India, which has partnered with L’Étape Mysuru, said the event would bring the cycling series to India for the first time and described Mysuru as the setting for an experience inspired by the world’s best-known road race.

Event preparations underway

With the event scheduled for October 4, preparations are underway along the start and finish areas and the cycling route.

The official L’Étape Mysuru website confirms that registrations are open and lists the event as part of the international L’Étape series. The series website also identifies Mysuru as a 100-km hilly event and one of its 2026 destinations.

The event is expected to require coordination between the organisers and local authorities for traffic management, route safety, medical support and other operational arrangements.

With a large number of cyclists expected to participate, the event will also give Mysuru an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to host an international-format sporting event.

A new identity for Mysuru as a cycling destination

The significance of L’Étape Mysuru extends beyond a single day’s race. The event could introduce the city’s roads, heritage locations and surrounding landscapes to cyclists who may return independently for cycling holidays and other forms of tourism.

Mysuru already has favourable conditions for cycling, including access to hilly terrain around Chamundi Hills and quieter stretches on the city’s outskirts. A high-profile international cycling event could add visibility to these features.

The official L’Étape series describes the Mysuru course as a “Queen stage” with a 100-km distance and 763 metres of elevation, placing it among the cycling destinations featured in the 2026 international calendar.

Conclusion

L’Étape Mysuru by Tour de France is set to bring an international cycling format to Karnataka on October 4. With Chamundi Hills forming a key challenge and routes passing through Mysuru’s scenic surroundings, the event places the city on the global cycling calendar while creating another platform to promote its tourism and sporting potential.