A new TV show that follows a group of celebrities train for and compete in the Etape du Tour will air its first episode on Monday 28th November at 7PM on Channel 5. Eight celebrities had three months to prepare for the challenge in which they raced against each other in two teams.
The four-part show features Jodie Kidd (fashion model), Darren Gough (England cricketer), Lucy Mecklenburg (model/TV star), Hugo Taylor (Made in Chelsea star), Austin Healey (England rugby player), Amy Williams (Winter Olympic medalist), Angelica Bell (TV and radio presenter) and Louie Spence (‘Strictly’ TV presenter).
The celebrities had help from professional cyclists, including Victoria Pendleton and the JLT Condor Racing Team, as they trained for the 145 km amateur cyclo sportive which covers the same route as a Tour de France stage in the Alps from Megeve to Morzine.
Talking to What’s On TV, Louie Spence said that “I’ve never done anything so difficult in my life!” He thought the mental demands were as hard as the physical ones and that it was harder than the TV show The Jump. One consolation was that they could eat as much they liked because of the number of calories burned up each day. Meanwhile Lucy Mecklenburgh developed huge blisters on her hands and got a number of cuts and scrapes.
As we all know the Etape du Tour is a tough challenge for even seasoned cyclists so Ride Velo will enjoy charting the progress of these eight celebs, most of whom we have actually heard of!