The 2023 Tour de France began next Saturday in Bilbao, marking a rare second start for the race on Spanish soil. The route surprised observers with a bold departure, leaning heavily into mountain challenges. The organizers laid out a pattern that emphasizes climbing, with runnable segments on most stages and a single short, high-intensity second-category ascent on the route this year.
With this edition, the overall competition will start strong from day one, set against the Basque Country’s dramatic terrain. The opening day features a sequence of short but steep climbs that test the favorites early, while the second day offers a classic Basque clash that will be decisive for early general classification positions.
Profile of stage 5 of the Tour de France.
The early days on rough Basque roads promise little rest for the peloton as the race threads its way across varied landscapes. The total distance clocks in at 3,404 kilometers, ensuring relentless action and continuous testing of endurance from start to finish.
Favorites winning the 2023 Tour de France
Pyrenean stages of the Tour de France
After the Basque scenes, the riders move into the Pyrenees for a quartet of demanding days. The stage with a climber-friendly finish introduces a special-category climb less than 20 kilometers from the line, setting the tone for a mountain-heavy phase set. The first major mountain day serves as a true test of climbing strength, followed by a high-category ascent that tees up an even tougher finale as the riders push toward the top of the mountains and the finish lines show new leaders emerging.
In three days, the race reaches a high plateau with a challenging final stretch before entering the Alps, where the terrain becomes progressively tougher as the route climbs toward the high passes and strategic breaks.
Three transitional phases, each carrying its own harsh demands, sustain the race as it moves toward the decisive days. Four demanding mountain stages are paired with a rest day and the sole time trial, creating a clear rhythm for the contenders.
Highlights of the 2023 Round
Finishing atop Grand Colombier on stage 13, a special-category ascent, mirrors the thrill of the day before at Joux Plane, where a top-tier rider’s performance near the finish line could prove pivotal. The following day adds another challenging set of climbs, including Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, signaling the stage’s large impact on the GC and the competition’s balance as the Alps arrive.
After the rest day, the race confronts the only individual time trial of the Tour, a stage featuring a demanding 9.4% climb over 2.5 kilometers. The following day returns to mountain racing, finishing in Courchevel after Col de la Loze’s summit, with several key ascents to decide the outcome and crown the new overall leader. The route continues with additional climbs of the top-tier category, followed by a sequence of first- and second-category climbs that will test even the strongest riders.
Paris will host the final showdown, and the battle for the yellow jersey will be as intense as ever. The course promises one of the toughest Tours in recent memory, demanding strategy, endurance, and grit from every rider who dares to dream of victory.