Tour de Dialyse turns dialysis sessions into competitive cycling challenge for patients

Patients undergoing dialysis at Regionshospitalet in Viborg have turned their treatment into a three-week cycling competition modeled after the Tour de France, with a yellow jersey and polka-dot jersey awarded for most kilometers cycled and personal endurance.

The event, called Tour de Dialyse, began the same day as the Tour de France and ends on the same day, covering the 1,200-kilometer distance from Viborg to Paris. Organizers say the initiative has already exceeded expectations by engaging all patients, with some cycling up to four hours per session while others participate for as little as 15 minutes, depending on individual capacity.

“It’s great to have a competition—something new happens,” said Erik Sørensen, a dialysis patient who trains three times a week. “I don’t know how it will end—maybe I’ll fall out of bed before I reach the finish,” he added with a smile.

Sygeplejerske Inge Hekker Olsen, a nurse at the department, said the activity improves blood flow during dialysis, making it easier to filter out waste and stabilize blood pressure. She noted that the intensity of each session is tailored to the patient’s condition, ensuring participation remains safe and meaningful.

The yellow jersey goes to the patient who cycles the most kilometers over the three weeks, while the polka-dot jersey rewards personal “mountain” achievements—where willpower and good humor count as much as distance.

Tour de Dialyse is organized by the dialysis department at Regionshospitalet in Viborg and concludes on the same day as the Tour de France.