This was a massive year for us at Grand Tours Project. For the first time ever, we were an official tour operator of the Tour de France - which still feels surreal to say. It was a huge step for the company, and honestly, a bit of a personal milestone for me too.
Hey everyone, welcome to the Grand Tours Project blog!
I just got back from the 2025 Tour de France, and I honestly don’t know where to start. It was intense, chaotic, inspiring, and unforgettable all at once and I figured I’d share a bit about what it was like being there, working on the ground, and seeing the Tour from the inside.
But first, a massive thank you to our whole team, the crew in the office, the guides out on the road, and of course, our guests. You brought the energy, the laughs, the stories you made the trip what it was. I hope you enjoyed it even half as much as I did.
This was a massive year for us at Grand Tours Project. For the first time ever, we were an official tour operator of the Tour de France – which still feels surreal to say. It was a huge step for the company, and honestly, a bit of a personal milestone for me too.
Behind the Scenes (and Stress)
There’s a side of the Tour that most people don’t see; the months of planning and prep that go into it. Booking accommodation across multiple regions of France, reserving tables for groups in towns that don’t usually get this kind of traffic, organising transfers, route scouting, weather backups, last minute changes… and then double-checking it all 10 times just in case.
It was a lot. But the moment we hit the ground, with our first group arriving and the race rolling through, all the stress melted away. That’s when it clicked we’re here, and it’s happening.
A Full-Circle Moment
I first saw the Tour de France live back in 2010, standing by the roadside as a kid, watching these athletes fly by like they were from another planet. That day had a real impact on me and it sparked something that’s only grown since.
Fast forward to 2025, and now I’m standing on the other side of the barriers part of the event, helping people experience the same kind of magic I felt as a kid. That’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.
This year, the Tour was everything I remembered and more. The caravans, the fans packed 10-deep on the climbs, the chaos of the sprint stages, the heartbreak of missed breakaways, the electric feeling when a rider actually beats the peloton. It reminded me why I love this sport so much.
Top Moments from the Road
If I had to pick just one standout moment? No question: Wout van Aert dropping Pogačar on Stage 21. I’m a huge fan of both, but watching Wout go full beast mode on the final day, that was special.
Some honourable mentions:
- Ben O’Connor winning Stage 18 on Col de la Loze – as an Aussie, I was buzzing. Felt like a win for all of us.
- Stage 16 on Mont Ventoux – blue skies, packed roads, unreal racing. The energy on that mountain was next-level. I think it’ll go down as my favourite day of the whole Tour.
The Spectators Experience – New, and Here to Stay
One of the most exciting things this year was co-hosting our brand-new Spectators tour. We designed it for people who love the Tour but don’t necessarily want to ride and honestly, the response was amazing.
This tour gave people the chance to get close to the race, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy France in all its Tour glory, all without needing to clip in. Think: mountain-top stages, champagne finishes, good food, and front-row views with zero pressure to ride 100km a day.
Seeing how much our guests loved it and how connected they felt to the race made it clear that this is something we’ll keep building on.
What It Meant
The Tour de France isn’t just a race. It’s a 3-week battle not just for the riders, but for everyone involved. There’s no hiding out there. Every day is unpredictable. And that’s what makes it so good.
As someone who’s loved this sport for years, getting the chance to work behind the scenes and be part of the show felt like a full-circle moment. There were long days, early mornings, last-minute changes, missed turns… and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
This year reminded me why I wanted to be in this industry in the first place. The people, the places, the shared obsession with cycling it’s a pretty special thing to be part of.
Now I just need to convince my boss to send me back next year…
Catch you out there,
Oskar
Grand Tours Project