Tagesetappe

Tagesetappe is a term used in road bicycle racing to denote a stage of a multi-day race that is contested on a single calendar day. The word literally means “day stage” in German and is used to distinguish a daily stage from other race formats within the event, such as time trials or prologues. In practice, Tagesetappen are the standard daily stages in most stage races, including the Tours de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España. In German-language coverage, Tagesetappe and Etappe are often used interchangeably to refer to an individual day’s route and result.

A Tagesetappe has a defined start and finish, typically through a fixed route and a set distance. Distances usually range from roughly 140 to 230 kilometers, though flat stages can be longer and mountain stages shorter due to terrain and safety considerations. The course profile determines the stage’s likely outcome: sprint finishes on flat stages, strategic breakaways on mid-length or rolling stages, or uphill finishes on mountain stages. The results influence the overall general classification, points classification, and other awards within the race, and may determine which rider wears the leader’s jersey after the stage.

The term also helps distinguish everyday stages within a race from one-day races (Eintagesrennen), which are held as single events outside the context of a longer stage race. While Tagesetappen are the backbone of multi-day events, one-day races are organized separately and do not contribute to a cumulative general classification.