Córdoba will host L'Étape Argentina, an event of the Tour de France

A few days before the historic visit of the All Blacks to Córdoba, it was announced this Monday that on March 22, 2026, the province will host L’Étape Argentina by Tour de France, the prestigious international road cycling event.

The province's roads and its impressive landscapes will be the epicenter of this stage of the renowned French event.

The announcement was made at a meeting at the Civic Center attended by provincial authorities, led by Vice Governor Myrian Prunotto.

The importance of international events in Córdoba

Manuel Calvo, Minister of Government, emphasized the importance of these events: “It is one of the most important events in the world, and it takes place in Córdoba. We have a governor who believes these events are key to driving the economy. This sets the path Córdoba follows to support a smokeless industry, which is the orange economy.”

“At the same time, Córdoba has the necessary infrastructure to host these events, not only in Argentina but in South America, and that is due to a strategic political decision,” the minister added.

In the same vein, Agustín Calleri, President of the Córdoba Sports Agency, highlighted that Córdoba's selection as host is the result of the Province's intense work to position itself as a host, aiming to create a unique agenda of high-level events.

“This is an extremely important event for Córdoba, which today is the only province in the country that hosts top-level events in motorsports, rugby, soccer, motocross, cycling, and many more to come in the future. This benefits the hotel and restaurant industries, with more than 3,000 runners in a single weekend,” said the official.

L'Étape, a transformative event

Córdoba's selection as host is a recognition of its rich sporting tradition and organizational capacity.

The arrival of L'Étape is a transformative event that brings together sports, tourism, and the region's culture.

“In Córdoba, there are provincial authorities who see sports as something important. In addition, there are committed mayors. There is a vision to create sporting events that also impact the economy, industry, and tourism. This province represents us worldwide and has a very strong sports policy in the country. How wonderful it is to know that we have a Córdoba that supports sports,” said Jorge Chica, President of the Argentine Cycling Union.

Meanwhile, Mathieu Clanchin, Project Manager of L'Étape Series by Tour de France, stated: "It is an honor to be here to announce this route. Argentina is a very important part of the Tour de France. Thank you to Córdoba for supporting this project, and we look forward to seeing everyone."

Also present at the meeting were Marcelo Lanci, President of FACPYR (Argentine Federation of Track and Road Cycling); Ángel Bachi Serrano, President of the Córdoba Cycling Federation (FCC), as well as local sports leaders.

Nearly 150 kilometers (93 miles) of route through the Punilla Valley

L'Étape Argentina by Tour de France will cover the most emblematic routes of the valley, on a course of nearly 150 kilometers (93 miles), connecting all the towns along the route via the Córdoba–Carlos Paz highway, the new Punilla Highway, the impressive Camino del Cuadrado, and Route E53.

The sporting challenge will attract thousands of national and international cyclists, which will have a direct impact on tourism and the local economy.

At the same time, the event will showcase to the world the natural beauty of Córdoba and its vibrant culture, positioning the Province as a top destination for cycling on a global scale.

The Argentine Road Championship returns after 25 years

That same weekend, the Argentine Road Championship will also take place, bringing together the elite of the sport at the national level.

With a start in Río Cuarto and a finish in the provincial capital, the event returns to the province after 25 years.

Both competitions will frame a mega weekend of cycling activity in Córdoba.

The mayor of Río Cuarto, Guillermo de Rivas, remarked: "For us as a city, it is a privilege to be able to host this competition, which will once again put us in the spotlight of the major events held in the province of Córdoba and the country. This is possible thanks to the governor's great vision to promote the realization of this type of massive activity in our territory."

Next, Daniel Passerini, mayor of the capital, highlighted that this sporting event opens great expectations for 2026, with a national and international cycling calendar that once again positions Córdoba as the venue for major competitions.

“This Cycling Tour, for the first time, will unite the two capitals. For me, as for the mayor of Córdoba, it represents a huge challenge. We will work intensively together with the sports unions and the Provincial Government so that Córdoba consolidates an international calendar in the coming years,” he stated.

Río Cuarto will be the epicenter of the 114th edition. It will bring together the Elite, Under-23, and Adapted Cycling categories, both for women and men. It will take place on March 19, 20, and 21 of next year.

The event is a celebration of the revival of cycling in a locality with a deep sporting tradition. The urban circuit in Río Cuarto, starting at the emblematic Costanera, promises a top-level spectacle for all fans who come to cheer on the competitors.

The championship's finale will be a true milestone: the peloton race for the men's Elite category will revive the traditional and legendary race, with the competition taking the reverse direction of the historic route, starting in Río Cuarto and culminating spectacularly at Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba Capital.

There will be 208 kilometers (129 miles) of pure adrenaline and strategy that will crown the Argentine champion in an unbeatable setting.