TOUR’23 The PEZ Route Preview: From the Basque Nation to Paris!

2023 Tour Route Preview: Sure, it’s that point of the 12 months once more. What does July imply? The Tour de France, the largest bike race within the World lumbers spherical France and nothing else issues. Slight exaggeration, however the yearly behemoth is centre stage once more. Listed here are the stage particulars, keep tuned for the rider predictions subsequent.

Uncover the route of the 2023 Tour de France

The race depends upon the riders, however it’s a must to give the artist his canvas to color on. The Tour de France organisers supply the GC riders many alternatives to make their daring statements on the roads of France. From the powerful begin within the Basque Nation, the race hits the Pyrenees early after which additionally passes via 4 different French mountain ranges; the Massif Central, the Jura, the Alps and the Vosges. There is just one time trial, however 4 summit finishes and a number of climbing. In fact, this route fits the 2 large names of Pogačar and Vingegaard. Let’s look in additional element:

The Tour de France 2023 Stats:

• 21 phases
• 3,404 kilometres
• Grand Départ in Bilbao
• End in Paris
• Relaxation days on Monday 10 July and Monday 17 July
• 1 time trial
• 22.4 time trial kilometres
• 4 summit finishes (Cauterets-Cambasque, Puy de Dôme, Grand Colombier and Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc)
• 2 phases longer than 200 kilometres
• 14 phases between 150 and 200 kilometres
• 18 fourth class climbs
• 22 third class climbs
• 11 second class climbs
• 14 first class climbs
• 6 hors class climbs

The Basque Nation
The Tour de France begins exterior of France once more this 12 months. Final 12 months in Copenhagen the Grand Départ was fashionable with the Danish individuals, however this 12 months the cycling-crazy Basque followers shall be a one thing else. The final time the Tour began in Spain was in 1992, with an 8 kilometre prologue in San Sebastián and it was native hero, Miguel Indurain who took the primary yellow jersey, two seconds quicker than Alex Zulle.

Stage 1: Bilbao

The 2023 Tour doesn’t begin with a battle towards the clock, however a stage that the riders will should be able to climb from the beginning. From Bilbao Stage 1 goes uphill after which undulates for the remainder of the 182 kilometres. The ultimate is very tough with three categorised climbs within the final 40 kilometres. The ultimate kilometre ramps up at a mean gradient of 5.4%. There may very well be a shake up on GC on the primary day.

Stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Donostia San-Sebastián

The Second Stage begins within the capital of the Basque Nation, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Possibly not your first selection of locations to go to in Spain, however the outdated city has a number of the finest preserved medieval streets and plazas within the area and it’s one in every of only a few cities with two cathedrals. From Vitoria-Gateiz the race goes to the Bay of Biscay. Earlier than they attain the coast, the peloton has a number of tough climbs. The Jaizkibel, from the Clásica San Sebastián, is within the ultimate. The end line is in San Sebastián, after 209 kilometres, making it the longest stage of the 2023 Tour de France.

Stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne

On Day Three, the Tour leaves the Basque Nation and heads for France. From the beginning in Amorebieta-Etxano, the primary 100 kilometres are fairly hilly with 4 categorised climbs, however the ultimate is flatter. After crossing the Spanish-French border, with simply over 50 kilometres to go, the race hits the Côte de Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle (3.9km at 3.1%). The climb is simply too removed from the end and isn’t steep sufficient for a decisive assault, however the pure sprinters is likely to be in hassle. The summit is nineteen kilometres from the end in Bayonne.

Into the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees
Stage 4 is for the sprinters. Between Dax and Nogaro there is just one categorised climb: The Côte de Dému. It does come within the ultimate, but it surely shouldn’t trigger any issues, if it does, then the sprinter’s groups will pull it again collectively for his or her fast-man. The stage end result shall be selected the Paul Armagnac race circuit end line. Eddy Merckx gained the Critérium des As on this circuit in 1974, forward of Freddy Maertens and Gerben Karstens.

Stage 4 for the sprinters: Dax – Nogaro

After the sprinters have their probability in Nogaro, the Tour heads into the excessive mountains. The primary Pyrenees stage is scheduled for Wednesday’s Fifth Stage. From the beginning in Pau, the stage goes over the Col du Soudet (15.1km at 7%), the Col d’Ichère (4.4km at 6.2%) and the Col de Marie Blanque (9.2km at 7.6%). From the ultimate climb of the Marie Blanque, there are nonetheless 18, primarily downhill, kilometres to the end in Laruns. Any GC males on a nasty day may lose their Tour probabilities.

Stage 5: Pau – Laruns

On Stage 6 the general favourites must present what they’ve of their arsenals. The summit end is at Cauterets-Cambasque. Till Cauterets that climb just isn’t too tough, however within the final 5.5 kilometres there may be a mean of seven.7% gradient. Anybody with out their climbing legs shall be misplaced over-board. Earlier than the ultimate climb the riders need to struggle their manner over the monster climbs of the Col d’Aspin and the Col de Tourmalet. An actual Traditional Pyrenees stage.

Stage 6 has the Aspin and the Tourmalet: Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque

Stage 7 might be for the sprinters. The 169.9 kilometre stage begins in Mont-de-Marsan and finishes in Bordeaux, with virtually no climbing. The final time the Tour completed a stage in Bordeaux was 2010. The victory that 12 months went to Mark Cavendish, who took his 14th Tour stage. Might he take his report breaking thirty fifth stage victory within the centre of the wine area? The opposite sprinters will in all probability have a special thought.

Stage 7 Cavendish made it look straightforward in 2010: Mont-de-Marsan – Bordeaux

Stage 8 is the second and solely different stage of the Tour by which is over the 200 kilometre mark. From the beginning in Libourne, the riders initially don’t have any vital difficulties, however the final 70 kilometres are on powerful undulating roads. The ultimate in the direction of Limoges is flat, though the ultimate kilometre is uphill. A bunch dash just isn’t out of the query, however it’s extra suited to the sturdy sprinters, puncheurs or a break going all the way in which.

Stage 8 GPS observe by Transalp Touren: Libourne – Limoges

The ninth stage of the 2023 Tour de France must be unmissable. The finalé is the Puy de Dôme, the climb the place Poulidor and Anquetil fought a heroic duel and the place Merckx was punched within the kidney in 1975, in all probability robbing him of a report sixth Tour win. The long-lasting climb hasn’t been used since 1988, because of its slender street and restricted area on the prime, however now the extinct volcano is again on the Tour route. The 13.9 kilometre climb at 7.7% ought to give us some fireworks, both for the GC or/ and the stage win on the eve of the primary relaxation day.

Stage 9. The Poulidor and Anquetil battle: Saint-léonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dôme

# Monday the tenth of July. The primary relaxation day.

Relaxation day in Vulcania

After the primary relaxation day, Stage 10 is a transition stage from Vulcania amusement park to Issoire. A day for the breakaway, however can it succeed?. The attackers will want to have the ability to climb as there 5 categorised assents: 4 Cat 3 and one Cat 2. The ultimate climb of the day is the Cat 3 Côte de La Chapelle-Marcousse (6.5km at 5.6%), the summit is slightly below 30 kilometres from the end in Issoire.

Stage 10 for an escape: Volcania – Issoire

The eleventh Stage begins in Clermont-Ferrand and is one other ‘potential’ for the sprinters. There are some climbs (three Cat 4) within the 180,5 kilometre stage, however they shouldn’t trigger too many issues. The final summit, the Côte de la Croix Blanche (1,6km at 5,4%), comes with 60 kilometres to go. From that climb the street undulates to the end in Moulins. The ending straight is lengthy and flat, very best for an enormous bunch dash.

Stage 11 bunch dash: Clermont-Ferrand – Moulins

Though not within the excessive mountains but, Stage 12 from Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais has 5 categorised climbs. The finalé is difficult with the Col de la Casse Froide (5.3km at 6.1%), the Col de la Croix Montmain (5.7km at 6.1%) and the Col de la Croix Rosier (4.9km at 7.7%). That final climbs comes 29 kilometres from the end line, so in all probability a bit far out for the GC males to do battle. There may be sure to be an escapees, however will they nonetheless be forward of the peloton on the finish of the stage?

stage 12: Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais

July the 14th, Bastille Day, the French nationwide vacation and the Tour organisers often treats the followers to an thrilling mountain stage. Stage 13 begins in Châtillon sur Chalaronne and finishes on the prime of the Grand Colombier. This climb is eighteen kilometres lengthy at 7% gradient. In 2020, the final time the Tour de France completed on the Grand Colombier, it got here all the way down to a dash, the place Tadej Pogačar beat Primoz Roglič. The 2023 Giro d’Italia winner gained’t be there, however we’d see a repeat with Pogačar and Vingegaard.

Stage 13 pogačar is aware of the end: Châtillon sur Chalaronne – Grand Colombier

After the battle on the Grand Colombier, Saturday’s Stage 14 has 5 climbs, one is Cat 3, three are Cat 1 and the final climb is Hors Class. The Col de la Ramaz (14.1km at 6.9%) comes at 65 kilometres out, then the Col de Joux Airplane (11.7km at 8.5%) summits at 12.5 kilometres from the end in Morzine Les Portes du Soleil. There must be an enormous struggle between the favourites on the ultimate climb of the day. Because the demise of Gino Mäder within the Tour de Suisse, the CPA, UCI and ASO are discussing the ultimate of stage 14 and stage 17 for security causes. So there is likely to be a route change.

Stage 14 Ullrich on the Joux Airplane: Annemasse – Morzine Les Portes du Soleil

The second week finishes with an enormous Alpine stage. Stage 15 is a succession of climbs: The Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (7.2km at 7.4%), Col du Marais (10.2km at 3.2%), Col de la Croix Fry (11.7km at 7%), Col des Aravis (4.6km at 6.1%) Côte des Amerands (2.7km at 10.1%) and the ultimate climb to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc-Le Bettex (7.3km at 7.8%). With a relaxation day on Monday, the GC males ought to attempt to shake issues up.

Stage 15 Mont Blanc: Les Will get les portes du soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc

# Monday the seventeenth of July. The second relaxation day.

Relaxation day within the shade of Mont Blanc

The third week begins with a person time trial, the one TT of the 2023 Tour de France. Stage 16 covers 22.4 kilometres with two climbs: The Côte des Soudans (1.3km at 8.8%) and the Côte de Domancy (2.5km at 9.4%). The route partly follows the identical route because the second time trial of the 2016 Tour, when Chris Froome gained forward of Tom Dumoulin.

Stage 16 time trial: Passy – Combloux

The Seventeenth Stage to Courchevel is the Queen stage of the 2023 Tour. The end is 6 kilometres after the summit of the final climb, the Col de la Loze (28.6km at 6%). Earlier than that monster of a climb there are the Col des Saisies (13.4km at 5.1%), Cormet de Roselend (19.9 at 6%) and the Côte de Longefoy (6.6km at 7.5%). Being the Queen stage we must always see fireworks.

Stage 17 the Col de la Loze: Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – Courcheval

Stage 18 must be for the sprinters, however that is the eighteenth day and the riders have some very powerful phases of their legs. The sprinter’s soar shall be blunted and the GC males shall be glad to look at a break of lowly positioned riders go up the street and have a ‘relaxation day’. The stage goes from Moûtiers to Bourg-en-Bresse, following the sting of the mountain vary. There are two climbs, each are Cat 4 and are usually not tough. The groups who don’t have a star or large sprinter shall be determined for a stage win and the dash groups who haven’t gained a stage equally so. There must be no, ‘paint drying’ on this stage, open warfare.

Stage 18 dash or break: Moûtiers – Bourg-en-Bresse

Stage 19 has been tailor-made for the attackers. There are usually not any powerful climbs between Moirans-en-Montagne and Poligny, however there may be additionally not any flat. There may be the Côte d’Ivory (2.3km at 5.7%), slightly below 30 kilometres from the end and that’s the solely issue. The ending straight is barely uphill, which can swimsuit the sturdy sprinter.

Stage 19 a day for a break: Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny

The peloton hits the Vosges on the penultimate Stage 20. This isn’t a straightforward day, 133 kilometres with six climbs. The final two of those, the Petit Ballon (9.3km at 8.1%) and Col du Platzerwasel (7.1km at 8.4%), are each Cat 1. After the Platzerwasel, there are 8 kilometres to the finish-line in Le Markstein Fellering. Who ever is within the yellow jersey on the finish of the day could have gained the 2023 Tour de France.

Stage 20 a troublesome final day: Belfort – Le Markstein Fellering

The ultimate Stage 21 of the Tour begins in Saint-Quentin en Yvelines and slowly makes its option to the centre of Paris. After passing via the Louvre museum, the riders go the Palace de la Concorde and head up the Champs-Élysées. They cross the end line for seven laps of 6.5 kilometres. The velocity lifts when the race hits the Champs-Élysées. and the street floor just isn’t too good, however no none cares because it’s Paris and the top of the Tour. Final 12 months, Jasper Philipsen gained. Mark Cavendish is the report holder with 4 wins.

Stage 21 the finalé: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris Champs-Élysées

# Keep PEZ for the ‘Rider Prediction’ and all of the information and motion from the 2023 Tour de France. #

The perfect moments of the 2022 Tour de France

2023 Tour de France phases (July 1 – 23):
Stage 1: Bilbao – Bilbao (182km) Hilly
Stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Saint-Sébastien (208.9km) Hilly
Stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne (187.4km) Flat
Stage 4: Dax – Nogaro (181.8km) Flat
Stage 5: Pau – Laruns (162.7km) Mountain
Stage 6: Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque (144.9km) Mountain
Stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan – Bordeaux (169.9km) Flat
Stage 8: Libourne – Limoges (200.7km) Hilly
Stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dôme (182.4km) Mountain
Relaxation Day 1: Clermont-Ferrand
Stage 10: Vulcania – Issoire (167.2km) Hilly
Stage 11: Clermont-Ferrand – Moulins (179.8km) Flat
Stage 12: Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais (168.8km) Hilly
Stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier (137.8km) Mountain
Stage 14: Annemasse – Morzine Les Portes du Soleil (151.8km) Mountain
Stage 15: Les Will get les portes du soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc (179km) Mountain
Relaxation Day 2: Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
Stage 16: Passy Combloux (22.4 km) Particular person Time-Trial
Stage 17: Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – Courchevel (165.7km) Mountain
Stage 18: Moûtiers – Bourg-en-Bresse (184.9km) Hilly
Stage 19: Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny (172.8km) Flat
Stage 20: Belfort – Le Markstein Fellering (133.5km) Mountain
Stage 21: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris Champs-Élysées (115.1km) Flat.