Saiyami Kher x Škoda India: Ready for L'Étape Mysuru

On 4 October 2026, riders from across the country will line up in Mysuru for the first Indian edition of L’Étape Mysuru by Tour de France, presented by Škoda. Among them will be actor and endurance athlete Saiyami Kher, who has partnered with Škoda India for the event and is preparing to take on the 100 km race category.

For Saiyami, cycling has never been just about covering kilometres.

Over the years, the actor and endurance athlete has taken on challenges that demand resilience, discipline and consistency. That mindset also reflects what sits at the heart of Škoda’s approach to engineering. Its cars are built to combine performance, control and everyday usability, with engineering designed to inspire confidence across different roads and driving conditions. 

Saiyami Kher Takes on the 100 km L’Étape Mysuru Challenge

As the first Indian actress to complete the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, she is no stranger to endurance. Yet as she prepares for L’Étape Mysuru, it is not the distance that has captured her attention.

"I am pumped and preparing for L’Étape Mysuru. Having done Ironman 70.3, my mind is built for endurance. I know how to keep going for a long time, but hills, they scare me, which is exactly why I signed up for L’Étape Mysuru."

For Saiyami, that challenge is precisely the attraction. Set against the roads surrounding Mysuru, the 100 km race category offers riders the opportunity to test not only their fitness but also their ability to tackle elevation and manage effort across an extended ride.

How Saiyami Kher Is Preparing for the 100 km Cycling Race 

Training for an event like L’Étape Mysuru begins long before race day.

Saiyami says there is no such thing as simply heading out for a long ride. Every training day comes with planning, preparation and a checklist of essentials that need to come along for the journey. Whether it is nutrition, hydration or ride support, every detail matters when preparing for longer distances.

She also highlights the importance of safety. While she enjoys driving her Škoda just as much as cycling, she believes having a follow car during long rides is always a good idea.

Months of training have taught her lessons that go well beyond fitness.

"You learn to fuel, you learn to pace yourself and more importantly, you learn not to start every ride like it is a race."

For an event like L’Étape Mysuru, consistency matters as much as speed. Knowing when to hold back, when to push and how to manage energy across the entire route can make all the difference.

Long rides, she says, teach patience. They teach cyclists to cool down, refuel, recover and do it all over again. They also offer something increasingly difficult to find in everyday life: uninterrupted time on the road.

"Long rides are where I switch off everything else. No shortcuts, no rushing and just you, your road and the kilometres ahead."

And while preparation is important, the journey is also about enjoying the road. That balance between capability and enjoyment is central to the Škoda driving experience, where performance-led engineering is designed not just to get you there, but to make the drive engaging along the way. 

Training for the Climbs and Elevation at L’Étape Mysuru 

While completing 100 kilometres requires endurance, what excites and intimidates Saiyami most about L’Étape Mysuru is the elevation. She believes the best challenges are often the ones that expose areas where there is still room to grow, which is exactly how she views the event.

For Saiyami, the distance is not the concern. Anyone who has tackled a steep climb on a bicycle will understand why.

"100 kms, I know. It is the elevation I am here to get better at. Hills are simple. You can't cheat them. The road goes up, your heartbeat goes up, and eventually, your legs have a conversation with you."

Preparing for that challenge has meant adapting her training wherever possible. When she cannot find enough climbs outdoors, she recreates the effort through indoor sessions and strength-focused workouts.

According to Saiyami, cycling is only one part of the preparation. Building strength is equally important, especially when elevation is involved. The same focus on control and capability can be seen in Škoda’s engineering, where features such as drive stability systems, strong vehicle structures and responsive dynamics are designed to support confident driving across changing road conditions. 

Her goal before arriving in Mysuru remains simple: make friends with the hills before Mysuru forces her to.

The Countdown Is On: L’Étape Mysuru 2026 Date, Categories & Registration Guide 

As Mysuru gears up for the first Tour de France, India edition of L’Étape by Tour de France, presented by Škoda, cyclists from across the country are entering the final phase of their training. Some are chasing a personal best, some are taking on their first long-distance cycling event, while others simply want to experience a ride inspired by the world's most iconic road race.

For Saiyami, the focus remains on steady preparation, building confidence on climbs and arriving at the start line ready for the challenge ahead.

"See you soon, Mysuru."

Whether you're preparing for The Race (100 km), taking on The Ride (50 km), joining the Family Fun Ride (20 km) or introducing a younger rider to the Kids Community Ride, L’Étape Mysuru offers an opportunity to experience a piece of Tour de France heritage on Indian roads.

And perhaps Saiyami's approach offers the best motivation of all. You do not need to have mastered every challenge before signing up. Sometimes progress begins by taking on the very thing that makes you uncomfortable.

Registrations for L’Étape Mysuru are open until 30 September 2026. Choose your category, begin your preparation and join riders from across the country as the Tour de France experience arrives in India for the first time.

The road is waiting. See you at the start line.