An Iberian stopover, a bit of history, an Alpine crossing and an epilogue in the Vosges. Here is in a nutshell the summary of the route of the 110th Tour de France. Departing from Bilbao, the most prestigious cycling race in the world will travel through the Spanish Basque country for three days before returning to the French south-west then the Pyrenees with an arrival in Laruns on the 5th day.
A passage through the Massif Central with an emblematic arrival at Puy de Dôme before switching to the East of France and the dense Alps. Only one time trial will be on the program for this Tour (16th stage) but its 22km will hurt the riders. Finally, the final victory could be in the Vosges since the penultimate stage will arrive at the top of Markstein.
Route of the Tour de France 2023.
Stage 1 (July 1): Bilbao – Bilbao (182km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 12:30 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:15 p.m.
The big start of this 110th Tour de France will be given in Bilbao for a first stage around the Spanish city with on the program five difficulties listed in the mountain classification, including a 2nd category climb.
Stage 2 (July 2): Vitoria-Gasteiz – San Sebastian (209km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 12:15 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:04 p.m.
To continue this tour of the Basque Country, the peloton will take a new rugged course with five climbs, including the last of the 2nd category at 16km from the finish.
Stage 3 (July 3): Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne (193.5km), flat. Fictitious departure: 1:00 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:27 p.m.
Despite some slight relief, this last stage in Spanish lands will a priori be promised to sprinters.
Stage 4 (July 4): Dax – Nogaro (182km), flat. Fictitious departure: 1:10 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:12 p.m.
Arrived on French soil, the sprinters will once again be at the party on a stage profile that is almost flat from start to finish.
Stage 5 (July 5): Pau – Laruns (163km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:21 p.m.
The first mountain stage of this Tour de France will take place in the heart of the Pyrenees. On the program, the Col de Soudet, the first out of category of the route (15.2km at 7.2%), as well as the Col de Marie Blanque (1st category) to complete this stage which may announce a first game between favorites.
Stage 6 (July 6): Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque (145km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:10 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:08 p.m.
Undoubtedly the queen stage of the Pyrenees. With the ascent of the Col d’Aspin (1st category), followed by the Tourmalet (Hors category, 17km at 7.3%), and a finish at the top of Cauterets-Cambasque (1st category), differences could already be created in the general classification.
Stage 7 (July 7): Mont-de-Marsan – Bordeaux (170km), flat. Fictitious departure: 1:15 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:07 p.m.
After the effort made on the heights of the Pyrenees, the peloton will need a day of transition before heading quietly towards the Massif Central.
Stage 8 (July 8): Libourne – Limoges (201km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 12:30 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:07 p.m.
It will be necessary to wait for the last 75 kilometers to see the road rise somewhat. The punchers could see it as an opportunity to deprive the sprinters of victory.
Stage 9 (July 9): Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat – Puy-de-Dôme (182.5 km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:30 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 6:05 p.m.
After three leg-breaking climbs, the riders will see a monument of the Tour de France rise up in front of them. Historic and mythical place of the Grande Boucle, the Puy-de-Dôme (Hors category, 13.3km at 7.7%) will welcome the arrival of this last stage before the first day of rest.
Rest (July 10): Clermont-Ferrand
Stage 10 (July 11): Vulcania – Issoire (167.5 km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:19 p.m.
With five difficulties listed, this recovery stage could allow a breakaway to go to the end. And if a descender manages to join the leading group, he will have a big card to play in the descent to Issoire.
Stage 11 (July 12): Clermont-Ferrand – Moulins (180km), flat. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:19 p.m.
A new stage which should delight the sprinter teams. Only three 4th category climbs will upset the flat profile of this stage.
Stage 12 (July 13): Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais (169km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:21 p.m.
This transition stage before the Alps will be anything but restful, with in particular a series of three passes in the last 65 kilometers.
Stage 13 (July 14): Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier (138km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:45 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:12 p.m.
For this entry into the Alps, the first part of the stage should be a health walk before switching to the interminable and infernal ascent of Grand Colombier (Hors category, 17.4km at 7.1%).
The Jumbo against Pogacar in the Grand Colombier, in 2020
Stage 14 (July 15): Annemasse – Morzine the Portes du Soleil (152km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:18 p.m.
Certainly one of the most difficult stages of the route, with three 1st category passes before concluding with the Col de Joux Plane (Hors category, 11.6km at 8.5%). Serious damage is to be feared and the favorites should fight for the stage victory.
Stage 15 (July 16): Les Gets Les Portes du Soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc (179km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 6:00 p.m.
A succession of five passes the day after one of the most trying stages. The cocktail can be explosive with an arrival at the top in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (1st category).
Rest (July 17): Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
Stage 16 (July 18): Passy – Combloux (22.4 km), time trial. First departure: 1:05 p.m. / Last arrival: 5:36 p.m.
It is the one and only time trial of this Tour de France. 22km of continuous effort with only one listed difficulty, the Côte de Domancy (category 2, 2.5km at 9.4%).
Stage 17 (July 19): Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – Courchevel (166km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 12:20 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:03 p.m.
Four passes on the program including two 1st category and the terrible Col de la Loze (Hors category, 28.1km at 6%) to end this daunting stage. Tadej Pogacar experienced his first signs of weakness there against Primoz Roglic in 2020.
Stage 18 (July 20): Moûtiers – Bourg-en-Bresse (185km), hilly. Fictitious departure: 1:05 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:31 p.m.
If this stage is classified as hilly, it is very likely that some sprinters will hang on until the end to fight for victory.
Stage 19 (July 21): Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny (173km), flat. Fictitious departure: 1:15 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 5:11 p.m.
The last opportunity for sprinters to shine before the Champs-Elysées. Beware, however, of the last climb of the day which could give the punchers ideas: Côte d’Ivory (category 3, 2.3km at 5.9%).
Stage 20 (July 22): Belfort – Le Markstein Fellering (133.5 km), mountain. Fictitious departure: 1.30 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 4.54 p.m.
This is the shortest stage of this 110th edition (apart from the stopwatch and the last stage on the Champs-Elysées) and it promises fireworks. The leaders of the general will try to tear themselves apart all along the six passes listed until the arrival at Markstein, at 1200m altitude.
Stage 21 (July 23): Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris Champs-Elysées (115.5km), flat. Fictitious departure: 4.30 p.m. / Estimated arrival: 7.28 p.m.
For the traditional last stage of the Tour de France, the future winner of the general classification should a priori be known, which will give the peloton the opportunity to stroll around to celebrate the end of its July saga before the sprint of the cadors on the Champs-Elysées .
