A good test unfolds on the slopes of Turmalet, where spectators watch the riders pass by. Men and women race at a blistering pace. The speed is so high that turning the head to follow the group is nearly impossible.
Next year, women’s cycling will mark a legendary and unprecedented milestone, proving that there are no limits to pédaling. The Pyrenees’ greatest climb, Turmalet, will witness the Women’s Tour decide its fate. For the first time, a women’s field will crest the top as the main event, a moment many have awaited with anticipation.
Official route for TDFF2023 with GoZwift is announced.
Voici le parcours officiel du TDFF2023 with Zwift. WatchTheFemmes.
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, via an official channel, announced the route in late 2022.
As in the previous year, women will take the stage to extend the world’s grand cycling event to four weeks. The uniforms stay the same, the bikes stay the same, and a sequence of starts and finishes will traverse from Paris to the south of France and into the Pyrenees. The aim is to determine who will claim a place in history, even if the name of a single previous winner looms large in discussion.
Controversy arose this year about whether a women’s tour should be held in the same format. The organizers embraced the plan and provided extensive live coverage, aligning with the broadcast model that fans around the world expect.
Analysis of the Tour 2023 route
Exhibition Lopez-Egea
Memoirs of Dori Ruano
With Turmalet as the backdrop, the story echoes past triumphs. Dori Ruano, one of the sport’s most respected Spanish cyclists, recalls climbing the ascent multiple times on earlier editions of the race, including moments when the race crossed into La Mongie. Those eras were marked by bold climbs and memorable performances that left a lasting mark on women’s cycling.
On Saturday, July 29, the women will ride Turmalet, approaching from Sainte Marie de Campan to reach the summit—the same ascent the men will tackle on the sixth stage. The finish line might sit a short distance below the final corner for logistical reasons, a detail noted by Christian Prudhomme, the race director, during the Paris presentation. The height gain is substantial, at about 2,110 meters, yet the climb holds significance far beyond its numbers.
Recent updates on the TDFF2023 route surfaced on social media, prompting discussion among teams and fans.
End of test
There will be seven stages, with seven riders per team, and the start will come from Paris for operational reasons. The route includes a descent into the Pyrenees through challenging terrain, though not all elevations are as high as the men’s race.
This year’s Tour, to be unveiled in Paris, is set to culminate in Pau on Sunday, July 30. The women will contest a stage that culminates with a time trial in Pau, mirroring aspects of the men’s route. The distance is comparable to the men’s stage, with a few nuanced differences that reflect the women’s edition.
A vivid test awaits on Turmalet, where the pace of the peloton will reveal strength edges and team tactics in real time. The ascent, though challenging, stands as a symbol of perseverance and competitive spirit on one of cycling’s most iconic climbs.
Analysts and fans will watch with keen interest as the queen stage of the Tour Femmes emphasizes more than just the title fight. The climb of Turmalet, along with two other storied passes, forms part of a challenging sequence known among the riders and fans as a decisive “death circle.” These climbs are characteristic of the event’s temperament and are absent from the men’s French race next year.
End of test
Across seven stages, teams will assign seven riders per squad, starting from Paris for logistical reasons. The route will navigate into the Pyrenees through rugged terrain while preserving the essence of a grand, multi-stage race.
This will be the 2023 Tour, to be presented in Paris on Thursday
Exhibition Lopez-Egea
Women’s Festival will conclude in Pau on July 30, deciding the outcome of the event as Turmalet looms. A time trial in Pau will be featured, sharing roughly the same distance as the men’s stage and offering a similar tempo. Anecdotally, the parcours is reminiscent of the 2019 edition when a dramatic incident on another stage highlighted the unpredictable drama of the race.
A good test unfolds on the slopes of Turmalet, watching the cyclists pass. Men and women can appear at similar speeds, yet the difference is barely noticeable. They race with such momentum that keeping track of the following groups is nearly impossible.
Next year, the women’s cycling calendar will celebrate a milestone that underscores the limitless spirit of the sport. The Tourmalet is poised to become the venue where the Women’s Tour defines its legacy. The Pyrenees will host a moment that many will remember as a breakthrough for women in cycling.
Official route for TDFF2023 with GoZwift will be shared, and the event is anticipated to captivate fans with live coverage, dramatic climbs, and the competitiveness that has defined this edition.
Note: The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift continues to expand the global audience for women’s cycling, delivering memorable moments and challenging routes that test endurance, teamwork, and strategy.