On Sunday, 13 September 2026, San Bernardino hosts L'Étape San Bernardino by Tour de France, the road cycling event that brings the format and staging of the Tour de France to Paraguay. All three distances start and finish in town, which spends the day as the operations hub of an international race.
This is not a professional race. L'Étape is a gran fondo aimed at amateur cyclists, with official chip timing, general classifications and an award ceremony featuring the Tour de France jerseys. The premise of the series is straightforward: let any rider, whatever their level, spend a day inside the logic of a grand tour.
What L'Étape is, and who runs it
L'Étape Series by Tour de France is the international series of amateur races backed by A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation), the company behind the Tour de France. Each host city reproduces the codes of the French race: courses designed by Tour specialists, official competition segments and the yellow jersey as the central symbol.
In Paraguay the series runs as L'Étape Paraguay by Tour de France, and San Bernardino is one of its host cities. Local production is handled by Rebelocity, a US-based sports and events organisation that also runs IRONMAN 70.3 Encarnación and IRONMAN 5150 Encarnación.
The three distances
The organisers have confirmed three courses, all on tarmac, all starting and finishing in San Bernardino.
Long Distance — 123 km, +1200 m
The main challenge. The loop opens along the shore of Lake Ypacaraí, then heads inland through the Cordillera department, taking in areas such as Nueva Colombia, Altos, Atyrá, Caacupé and Tobatí. The official site gives the distance as 120–123 km with more than 1,200 metres of climbing and several categorised ascents, including demanding ramps close to the finish. Level: advanced.
Medium Distance — 68 km, +700 m
The middle option, with roughly 700 metres of climbing. It links areas such as Nueva Colombia, Altos, Isla Alta and Loma Grande on a rolling course whose climbs keep breaking up the rhythm. It is built for strong amateur riders who want a genuine race without the extreme demands of the long route. Level: intermediate / advanced.
Short Distance — 28 km
The entry point. A flat profile with gentle undulations and low technical difficulty, on a circuit that runs along the lake and through Cristóbal Colón, Heriberta Matiauda and the Luque – San Bernardino road. This is the recommended distance for a first race. Level: beginner / intermediate.
The long and medium routes include the official L'Étape segments: Sprint Challenge, KOM (King of the Mountain) and timed sections, plus feed zones along the way.
What the organisers provide
According to the official site, all three courses include:
- Fully signposted circuit
- Public roads closed to traffic
- Food and hydration stations
- Official timing and general classifications
- Medical support and on-course assistance
- Official award ceremony with the Tour de France jerseys
Registration and prices
Registration is open and handled through the event's official platform. The published prices include service fees, and the organisers warn that places are limited:
- Long Distance (123 km): US$ 130
- Medium Distance (68 km): US$ 100
- Short Distance (28 km): US$ 85
Entries are personal and non-transferable, and payments are non-refundable unless the organisers decide otherwise. Double-check your email address when signing up: that is the channel through which all follow-up information is sent.
Rules worth reading before you enter
The official regulations set out, among other points:
- A certified helmet is mandatory throughout the event
- E-bikes are not allowed
- Race number must be visible
- Bicycle must be in safe working condition
- Riders must be of legal age or have guardian authorisation
- Riders are responsible for being medically and physically fit to take part
The organisers reserve the right to adjust distances, routes, schedules or formats for operational or safety reasons.
A detail for riders doing both Paraguayan rounds
The Encarnación and San Bernardino medals are designed as the two wheels of a bicycle. Riders who complete both races receive the piece that joins them and completes the set.
What it means for San Bernardino
An event of this size fills the town for a full weekend: riders arriving on Saturday, supporters, families, teams and spectators around the finish area. For hotels, restaurants, rentals and local services, Sunday 13 September is a date worth blocking out well in advance.
Traffic changes too. All three courses use public roads closed to traffic, so anyone living or working along the Luque – San Bernardino road or on the approaches towards Altos and Nueva Colombia should follow the organisers' official notices in the days beforehand.
Event details
- What: L'Étape San Bernardino by Tour de France 2026
- When: Sunday, 13 September 2026
- Where: San Bernardino, Paraguay (start and finish)
- Distances: 123 km (+1200 m), 68 km (+700 m) and 28 km
- Type: road gran fondo, non-professional, for amateur cyclists
- Series: L'Étape Series by Tour de France, backed by A.S.O.
- Local organiser: Rebelocity
- Registration: open, limited places
Official site: sanbernardino.letapeseries.com — Registration: official sign-up page
Information compiled from the official L'Étape San Bernardino website (sanbernardino.letapeseries.com), accessed on 30 July 2026. The official site does not yet publish start times for each distance. Confirm timings, current prices, the full regulations and any course changes directly at the official source before entering or booking travel.