Cycling: At the end of October, the route of the 2023 Tour de France was presented at the Palais de Congrès in Paris. A very hilly tour awaits us. The sprinters get few opportunities to win a stage. We look at the route and all stages in detail.
A wavy start in the Basque Country
On July 1, 2023 the time has come. The 110th edition of the Tour de France will start in Bilbao, Basque. A whopping 3.404 kilometers later, it ends as usual in Paris on the Avenue des Champs Élysées. The start and finish of the Tour of France have been known for weeks. However, the other stage locations were also announced by the ASO this Thursday in the Palais de Congrès in Paris. Now we know that after the Grand Depart in Bilbao, the course leads through Vitoria-Gasteiz, San Sebastian and Amorebieta-Extano and finally reaches French soil with Bayonne on the third day. Hard to avoid in this area, the stage profiles will primarily benefit the punchers. It is quite possible that one or the other classification driver will dare something before reaching France.
4 mountain arrivals, 5 mountains
The few time trial kilometers show that the Tour de France 2023 is really something for real climbers. Only a time trial is on the program. This is 22,0 kilometers long, with the last 6,5 kilometers even leading uphill. In the fight against the clock, the strong climbers will lose an unusually small amount of time to the specialists. Added to this are four mountain finishes and the fact that the tour entourage will visit all five mountains in France. It goes not only over the Pyrenees and the Alps, but also through the extremely uncomfortable Massif Central, the Jura and the Vosges.
No tour for the sprinters
While the climbers are happy, the sprinters are sure to be annoyed as well as the classic time trialists. Because the fastest men in the world probably only have a few chances. A bunch sprint could happen in Bayonne, Nogaro, Bordeaux, Moulins, Bourg-en-Bresse and of course Paris. It is therefore quite possible that many sprinters will leave the Tour de France early. Pure sprinters probably can't get involved in the fight for the green jersey. All-rounders such as Wout van Aert or Mathieu van der Poel seem to be hard to beat on this course.
The course of the Tour de France 2023
July 1th, 1st stage: Bilbao – Bilbao, 182 km
July 2th, 2st stage: Vitoria-Gasteiz – San Sebastian, 209 km
July 3th, 3st stage: Amorebieta-Extano – Bayonne, 185 km
July 4th, 4st stage: Dax – Nogaro, 182 km
July 5th, 5st stage: Pau - Laruns, 165 km
July 6th, 6st stage: Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque, 145 km
July 7th, 7st stage: Mont de Marsan – Bordeaux, 170 km
July 8th, 8st stage: Libourne – Limoges, 201 km
July 9th, 9st stage: Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dome, 184 km
July 10th, 1st day of rest in Clermont-Ferrand
July 11th, 10st stage: Vulcania - Issoire, 167 km
July 12th, 11st stage: Clermont-Ferrand - Moulins, 180 km
July 13th, 12st stage: Roanne-Belleville-en-Beaujolais
July 14th, 13st stage: Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier, 138 km
July 15th, 14st stage: Annemasse - Morzine, 152 km
July 16th, 15st stage: Les Gets - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, 180 km
July 17th, 2nd rest day in Sallanches
July 18th, 16st stage: Passy-Combloux, 22 km
July 19th, 17st stage: Sallanches – Courchevel Altiport, 166 km
July 20th, 18st stage: Moutiers - Bourg-en-Bresse, 186 km
July 21th, 19st stage: Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny, 173 km
July 22th, 20st stage: Belfort – Le Markstein, 133 km
July 23th, 21st stage: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris, 115 km
Tour de France 2023: All stage profiles
01.07.2023/01/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Bilbao – Bilbao (182 km)
The start of the Tour de France 2023 is impressive. With the start and finish in Bilbao, we get exactly what we expect: a bumpy stage. No time trialist will be allowed to put on the first yellow jersey and no classic sprinter either. Because on the last 50 kilometers there are three climbs to be mastered: the Col de Morga, the Cote de Vivero and the Cote de Pike. And the worst thing about it: They are getting steeper and steeper. Only a puncheur can win today.
Result:
What a start. Adam Yates wins ahead of his twin brother Simon, making him the first person to wear the yellow jersey. The tour begins tragically for Enric Mas and Richard Carapaz.
Click here for the detailed stage report.
02.07.2023/02/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Vitoria-Gasteiz – San Sebastian (209 km)
The professionals of the 2023 Tour de France remain in the Basque Country today. And the Basque Country remains true to its reputation. It's wavy. So bumpy that even today no pure sprinter will have a chance of winning the stage. After the top of the last climb, there are still 16 kilometers to the finish line. Quite possible that a late breakaway will form here. But a sprint out of a very decimated main field is more likely.
Result:
Victor Lafay wins the second stage of the 2023 Tour de France. With a spirited attack in the last kilometer he thwarted Jumbo - Visma and Wout van Aert. The Frenchman thus ensured the first victory of a Frenchman on the second day.
You can find the detailed stage report HERE.
03.07.2023/03/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Amorebieta Etxano - Bayonne (187,5 km)
Finally the time has come. On the third day of the 2023 Tour de France, the sprinters will get their first chance. There will be a bunch sprint in Bayonne.
Result:
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck) lived up to his role as favourite. The Belgian gets the day's win.
The detailed report is HERE.
04.07.2023/04/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Dax – Nogaro (182 km)
The 2023 Tour de France finally hits French soil on the fourth day of the Tour. Despite the slightly bumpy profile, there will be another mass sprint in Nogaro.
Result:
The stage to Nogaro was marked by boredom. In the end, a sprint decides who wins the day. And Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck) celebrates again.
HERE is the report.
05.07.2023/05/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Pau – Laruns (163 km)
After Paris and Bordeaux, Pau is the third most visited city on the Tour de France. Also this year we visit the French region Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The first mountain stage of the tour starts here. With the Col de Soudet, the first mountain of the highest category is on the program. However, since it has to be completed by the middle of the stage, it will not have a major impact on the race result. The other two climbs are too easy for the class riders, so today a breakaway could get through for the first time.
Result:
A bang from Bora – hansgrohe. The German racing team drove Jai Hindley into the yellow jersey with a tour de force and a tactical masterpiece.
How that happened, see HERE.
06.07.2023/06/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque (145 km)
mountain arrival! Already on the sixth day of the Tour de France 2023 it could be tight for one or the other class driver. If you don't have a good early form, you can't have a bad day. The Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet are two real heavyweights. In the long descent, however, some drivers who have been left behind are likely to roll back into the group of favorites. And will the final climb be enough to provoke large gaps? Probably not. Because with a length of 16 kilometers it is quite long, but with only 5,4 percent on average not really steep enough. It's likely that a breakaway will be able to celebrate again today.
Result:
Jumbo - Visma attacks but Tadej Pogacar (UAE) counters. The Slovenian answers after a weak previous day and makes the Tour de France 2023 exciting again.
Here is the detailed stage report.
07.07.2023/07/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Mont de Marsan – Bordeaux (170 km)
After two nerve-wracking mountain stages, there will again be a classic mass sprint in Bordeaux today. The Cote de Beguey is not only too easy, but also too far from the goal. No sprinter will have trouble here.
Result:
Another sprint in Bordeaux. Another day win for Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck). But Mark Cavendish (Astana) almost set a new record.
You can see how narrowly the Brit missed his 35th stage win in the detailed stage report on Velomotion.
08.07.2023/08/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Libourne – Limoges (200,7km)
The eighth stage of the 2023 Tour de France can be described as tricky. The three mountain classifications are completed in the second half of the race and apart from these mountain classifications, there are always ups and downs towards the end of the section. Pure sprinters will have their problems here. Therefore, today not only offers the chance for a successful escape group, but also for those sprinters who can get over the hills quite well.
Result:
Mads Pedersen (Lidl – Trek) wins the eighth stage of the Tour de France. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck) was strong again, but today it's only enough for second place. Bitter: Mark Cavendish (Astana) and Steff Cras (TotalEnergies) have to leave the 2023 Tour de France after a fall.
You can find the detailed stage report HERE.
09.07.2023/09/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme (182,4 km)
Before the first rest day of the tour, the Tour de France 2023 offers us a real highlight. In the French Massif Central we climb the Puy de Dome volcano. The Tour of France has already written some stories here. More could be added this year. Because before the first day of rest, one or the other could come up with daring ideas. One thing is clear: only a top climber will be able to win here. And we can assume that the dream of a tour victory will already burst for some class riders today.
Result:
Michael Woods (Israel - Premier Tech) celebrates the prestigious stage win on the Puy de Dome. The Canadian was part of a large breakaway group and best managed his strength on the steep final climb. Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar (UAE) continues to nibble seconds away from Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma).
The detailed stage report is HERE on Velomotion.
11.07.2023/10/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Vulcania - Issoire (167,2 km)
The pros are awakened from their first rest day with five mountain classifications. Nevertheless, the day will not be for the ranking drivers. You will hold back and let the breakaways take over. After they were able to conserve energy the day before, the escape group may become gigantic. The stage winner has to be good over the mountains - but should also be a good downhill skier.
12.07.2023/11/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Clermont-Ferrand - Moulins (179,8 km)
Finally, the sprinters can once again dream of a day's victory. The eleventh stage leads the pros over mostly flat kilometers, because the greatest effort is already at the beginning of the section. A few breakaways will try again today, but in Moulins a mass sprint will ultimately decide the day's victory.
13.07.2023/12/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Roanne - Belleville-en-Beaujolais (168,6 km)
On July 13, a breakaway will cheer at the 2023 Tour de France. Because the twelfth section leads the pros over five mountain classifications, which are probably too easy for the class riders. The three mountains in the second half of the race are all just over five kilometers long and between six and eight percent steep. Since there are still more than 25 kilometers to the finish after the last summit, none of the classification drivers will dare to leave cover.
14.07.2023/13/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier (137,8 km)
On the French National Day, the pros will really have to give their all at the Tour de France 2023. The stage is short at less than 140 kilometers, but experience has taught us that it is precisely these short stages that are usually the most action-packed. It goes up the Grand Colombier at 1.500 meters. Tadej Pogacar won here three years ago. Even today only a top climber will be able to cheer. But it is quite possible that a breakaway group can make it to the finish ahead of the favourites.
15.07.2023/14/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Annemasse - Morzine Les Portes du Soleil (151,8 km)
Today's stage is merciless. If you feel bad because of an illness or if you are simply at the end of your strength after two weeks of torture, you will miss the time limit today. Because the 14th section of the Tour de France 2023 is not only rock hard with five mountain classifications, but also rather short at just over 150 kilometers. In addition, it is uphill right from the start. There is almost no flat kilometer, which greatly increases the chances of a successful breakaway. However, the favorites will only attack on the last climb, as the wind after the penultimate climb makes a solo escape seem too risky. A climber with a lot of courage and good downhill qualities could gain a decisive amount of time today.
16.07.2023/15/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Les Gets les portes du soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc (179 km)
Before the pros treat themselves to some rest on the second rest day, it's time to get down to business again today. There are five climbs on the program for the last 80 kilometers, with the final ascent divided in two and thus offering room for attacks. Since an early attack by a favorite can almost be ruled out, the breakaways have a good hand – as long as there is a really good climber in the breakaway group.
18.07.2023/16/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Passy - Combloux (22,4 km)
The Tour de France 2023 will not do without time trials after all. Directly after the second and last day of rest, the drivers have to go into battle against the clock. However, the individual time trial is only 23 kilometers long and also bumpy. Thanks to their good regeneration abilities, the classification riders will probably fight for the day's victory among themselves, especially because they've already had two weeks in their legs. A duel between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard is expected.
19.07.2023/17/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Saint Gervais Mont Blanc - Courchevel (165,7 km)
The 17th stage of the 2023 Tour de France heads to Courchevel. There are two climbs in the first category, one in the second and one in the highest category. The highlight at the very end is the Col de la Loze, on which the riders reach an altitude of over 2.300 meters. It is over 28 kilometers long and has an average gradient of 6 percent. Today, however, downhill skills could be even more important than climbing skills. Because after reaching the summit, it's still 6,6 kilometers downhill to the finish line.
20.07.2023/18/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Moûtiers - Bourg-en-Bresse (184,9 km)
Also in the last week there is not much for the sprinters. But they won't let the 18th stage go. It is quite possible that only two or three riders dare to break away, because even if the teams of sprinters are tired, they will of course not miss the Sprint Royale with this flat profile.
21.07.2023/19/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Moirans-en-Montagne - Poligny (172,8 km)
At first glance, the 19th stage also looks like a mass sprint. But we must not be deceived. Not only are there two mountain classifications to be completed, the rest of the route profile is also slightly bumpy and certainly not easy after 18 stages. If the sprinters are struggling on the Cote d'Ivory, a mass sprint is not guaranteed. A breakaway group definitely has a chance of winning today.
22.07.2023/20/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Belfort – Le Markstein Fellering (133,5 km)
The last mountain stage of the Tour de France 2023 is also convincing with only a few kilometers. However, a whopping six mountain classifications will ensure that the yellow jersey will be attacked again today. The Petit Ballon and the Col du Platzerwasel are on average more than eight percent steep. They follow each other directly and after the last climb it's not downhill. A short plateau provides further time intervals. So we only get to see the queen stage of the 2023 Tour de France on the penultimate day - and excitement is guaranteed.
23.07.2023/21/XNUMX | XNUMXst stage
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - Paris Champs-Elysees (115,1 km)
The 2023 Tour de France ends in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. Traditionally, the winner in the yellow jersey is honored here. But it's still about the green jersey and the stage win. In the Sprint Royal, a driver may even be happy about both.
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