Frequently asked question

Registration for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka will be exclusively at melaka.letapebytourdefrance.com or via our official ticketing platform CHECKPOINT SPOT (www.checkpointspot.asia) from 15 December 2023 until 5 March 2024. 

The categories are as below:

ELITE (140KM)
- Individual Men

- Individual Women

- Men's Team (5 men)

- Women's Team (5 women)

Only those who sign up for Elite (140KM) race are eligible for podium finish. This applies for the individual and team categories. Team results will be based on the cumulative time of the best three riders.

THE RACE (140KM)
- Individual Men

- Individual Women

- Men's Team (5 men)

- Women's Team (5 women)

THE RIDE (70KM)
- Individual Men

- Individual Women
- Men's Team (5 men)
- Women's Team (5 women)

Absolutely! We have a team category at the 2024 L’Étape Melaka. Teams are made up of 5 riders only. The cumulative time of the first three riders will be the competitive measure of the team times. All members of the team must be registered for the same course.
 

Prizes will only be given out to winners of the Elite (140KM) team categories if each category has a minimum of 3 registered teams participating.

Please note that all team names are subject to approval.

While there is no cap on age limit to participate in the event, participants need to be at least 16 years old in 2024 to qualify for registration. Parental or guardian’s consent is required for participants below the age of 18 years old.

The registration fee for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka are as follows:

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES 
 

TEAM CATEGORIES 
 

*Team members pay the difference upon registration completion

During your registration process, you will be asked if you are registering as an individual or team.
If you are registering as a team, the Team Captain should secure payment for the whole team. Upon successful registration, Team Captains are responsible for sharing their Registration ID with Team Members to start registering.

We are capping participation to 3,000 riders for the 2024 L’Étape Melaka. 60% of the allocation will be dedicated to the 140KM distance.

Upon registration, riders will be entitled to the following :

1. Official 2023 L’Étape Melaka Jersey *

3. Bike Plate

2. Finisher T-shirt **

3. Finisher Medal **

6. E-Certificate *

8. Snacks and Refreshment on route, during race day

9. Mechanical Support in the village and on the race course

For those participating in the Elite (140KM), mobile feed privileges will be accorded to them.

*Only for those who ordered the Race Jersey.
**Only for those who finish the race within their respective stipulated time.

We do not practice a refund in case a registered participant is unable to join us at the race. We may consider registration transfers to the next edition of L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France only on medical grounds.

A fee of RM20 will be charged for any transfer of registration. Any change must be made 2 months before race day. Strictly no transfer will be entertained past this deadline.

If you need to amend any errors in your registration, please contact the registration team at info@letapemalaysia.com

Riders are able to choose from a selection of bikes including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, and cross bikes (recumbents, disc wheels, tri or aero bars are not permitted). Cyclists riding an e-bike won’t be ranked in a specific ranking to preserve fairness between participants. Straight handlebars and disc brakes are permitted. Tandems are only permitted for vision-impaired riders (only the vision-impaired riders will be required to register). Please ensure, for the safety of all riders, that bikes are well-maintained throughout the course.

Yes, it is compulsory to wear a helmet throughout the entire route. Any participant without a helmet will be removed from the event.

All riders must carry photo identification at all times.

There will be Snacks and Refreshment Zones to supply riders with nutrition, water, and other necessities. However, to ensure all riders are prepared, we suggest packing the below list of items: 

- Helmet *

- Photo identification card *

- Water bottles *

- Additional food and/or sports nutrition

- Sunscreen & Sunglasses

- Spare clothing for warmth or rain protection

- Bike repair kit including: a puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes, and an air pump

- Mobile phone (don’t forget to ensure it is fully charged prior to the start) 

Items marked with * are compulsory.

The day before the event, mechanical support will be available in the Festival Village for riders to check their bike, if needed – available on a first come, first served basis. The mechanical support will also be available throughout the race – both on the course and at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones.

According to monthly averages, the peaks are likely to range from a minimum temp of 22°C to a maximum of 30°C in December. Riders will need to be prepared for all weather conditions on the day. Riders are encouraged to consult the Malaysian Meteorological Department at www.met.gov.my for forecasts in the area prior to the event.

The race will commence in the event of light rain.

In case of a thunderstorm making a race dangerous, we will delay the race by 30 mins. If heavy rain persists, we will cancel the event as we have to factor in the need to reopen public roads. Rides can collect their finisher entitlements if this happens.

We might not continue with the race if lightning is detected within 2KM of the race start. Riders are advised to seek shelter along the route if such a situation occurs midway during the race.

Race organisers could at any point of time on race day, in consultation with the authorities and ASO, have the final say as to whether a race could proceed.

A race e-guide covering details pertaining to the race, including safety instructions will be produced before the race. These will be sent to all registered racers and participants are advised to familiarise themselves with the e-guide prior to arriving at Melaka.

We also plan to produce short instructional videos prior to the race.

Yes, all courses are timed. All riders will be given a race plate for their bike in their registration pack, which the timing system is embedded in this plate and it must be attached on the bicycle frame at all times. This will record the time of the rider as they cross the start line, checkpoints throughout the route, and the finish line to provide accurate time. 

For team timings, the best 3 timing will be used to determine placement. 

Failure to attach the race plate will result in no timing available for the ride and immediate disqualification from the race.

Final times will be published on the L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France's website following the event.

Similar to the professional rides in Tour de France, roads will be closed to general motor vehicle traffic throughout the entire event. The time limit is set to ensure the road opens again at a specific time and this is outlined in the Time Schedule, which will be released closer to the event. After this time, the road will reopen to the public once again.

The Cut Off Time helps plan the time at which the road is closed, when riders will be eliminated and when the roads reopen to the public. These times are negotiated with L’Étape Malaysia, the councils, the police and the emergency services. Strict compliance with the Time Schedule is essential if we want to continue to enjoy a road which is entirely closed to public traffic in the future.

The entire route will be closed to all non-event related vehicles. Roads will re-open progressively on a time schedule which allows riders who ride at an average of 15 km per hour to complete the route.

The Time Schedule will be published on L'Etape Malaysia by Tour de France's Instagram and Facebook page.

The Race Car will follow the precise Cut Off time for the course. Any participant who is overtaken by this vehicle (which features a timer on its roof) at any point during the race, will be declared “Hors-Course” (out of the race).

The cut-off times are as below:

• The Race (140km) - 8 hours
• The Ride (70km) - 5 hours

If a rider is eliminated, they will be asked to go to the pick-up areas where a bus and truck If a rider is eliminated, they will be asked to go to the pick-up areas where a bus and truck will take the rider and their bike to the Festival Village.

Bikes will be loaded onto trucks and returned to riders to the Village upon presentation of their race numbers.

For L’Étape Melaka, the cut off time will be strictly adhered to. Riders will not be allowed to remain on course after the cut off time including if they do not reach the halfway mark by half the cut off time from the start of the race.

Even with the professional conditions of fully closed roads, it is important to remain alert and respect the following:

1.  Keep to the left of the road so the faster riders and race management vehicles can 

     overtake on the right

2.   When overtaking, do it on the right and with caution

3.   Indicate prior to overtaking

4.   When riding in the peloton, indicate to riders following of any dangers or imperfections 

      on the route

Please note that in an amateur race, the competency level of riders can differ greatly. Please be aware of your general surroundings and seek help if you need any assistance. Your race bib will have our emergency numbers and safety marshals are available throughout the course

There will be Snacks and Refreshment Zones on the course. Water is available at all Snacks and Refreshments via self-serve tanks with taps.

Riders are expected to stop to replenish themselves. Due to the size of the field, our volunteers are unable to cater to individual needs.

Snacks and Refreshment Zone locations will be released, together with the e-guide, before the event.

All Snacks and Refreshment Zones will have bins to dispose of trash. If consuming gels or snacks while on the road, riders must ensure that they hold on to associated rubbish until they are able to dispose of this correctly. Let's maintain Melaka as a pristine area for all to enjoy.

If a rider has an accident or mechanical issue, there will be medical teams and mechanical support at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones, as well as along the route (mobile assistance). In addition to the support offered, each rider should bring spare inner tubes, air pump and any extra components that they may need with them.

Riders will be provided with an emergency number to call for roadside pick-up if they are unable to make their own way to a Snacks and Refreshment Zone following an accident or a breakdown. In the event of riders waiting for roadside pick-up – with the exception of major injuries – riders are asked to move off the course and out of the way of other riders to wait for pick up.

There are first aid stations set up in the Festival Village, at the Start Line, at selected Snacks and Refreshment Zones, and at the Finish Line. There will also be medical teams among the riders on the route, in case riders need medical attention or transportation to a nearby first aid station.

All Race Packs will be sent via delivery, please follow the instructions during the registration process.
 

We recommend you arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before your start time. The first start will be given at 7.15am on Sunday, 5 May 2024.

Podium finish is only available for the Elite (140KM) category. Those wishing to race competitively must register in the Elite (140KM). Those outside Elite (140KM) are not entitled for a podium finish but their race time will be made available to them.

For those outside Elite (140KM), they can choose to join any waves they wish, on a first come first served basis.

There is a bag drop-off at the Festival Village. We advise all riders to pack light, and only bring essential items for the race.

Individual Elite (140KM) participants will be competing for the coveted official Tour de France Jerseys

• THE YELLOW JERSEY will be presented to the overall male and female winners of The Race.

• THE GREEN JERSEY will be presented to the male and female The Race winners of the Sprint.

• THE WHITE JERSEY will be presented to the fastest overall male and female in The Race, aged 25   

  years or less, on the day of the event. 

Team Elite (140KM) riders will not win the individual winner’s jerseys. However, team riders are eligible to compete for individual overall placements. Only trophies awarded for the following participants:

• The Men’s Team Prize

• The Women’s Team Prize

Unofficial results will be listed at the end of event day.

Official results will be published on the L’Étape Malaysia by Tour de France website as they come available during the day.