3,404 km across two countries, a total 57,378 meters of elevation gain, 21 days of racing, 176 racers, 22 teams, a € 2.3 million prize pot, and one yellow jersey.
The world’s most famous cycling event, the Tour de France, is back for its 110th edition, promising another grueling display of endurance and grit throughout when the wheels start turning in Bilbao on July 1.
Taking place over three weeks, the race features 21 stages, varying in length and style from day to day, with eight flat stages, four hilly stages and eight days in the high mountains, including four summit finales and a single time trial.
The race will finish as is traditional, in Paris on the Champs-Élysées.
Jonas Vingegaard will be hoping to replicate his yellow jersey-winning performance of 2022, where the Danish rider finished alongside his entire Jumbo Visma team, including green jersey winner Wout van Aert, on the final stage in Paris.
It marked the first time Vingegaard won the general classification of a road cycling grand tour event, with a dominant and consistent display seeing him finish ahead of Tadej Pogacar and Geraint Thomas.
This year’s race will no doubt usher in more eyes than ever following the release of the fly-on-the-wall Netflix documentary ‘Tour de France: Unchained’, which chronicled the 2022 edition.
Described as “Unflinching, ambitious, and beautifully shot” by the EF-Education-Easypost, who also believe it’s an avenue to bring in a more lucrative sponsorship and exposure. At the same time, The Independent said it delivered “enough drama, tension and human interest to entertain the non-cycling fan.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 La Grande Boucle, the latest chapter in a decorated and iconic 120-year history.
Tour de France: The route
The 2023 Tour, de France Grand Depart, will be significant as it takes place in the cycling heartland, the Basque Country on the Spanish side of the border, an area with a rich cycling tradition and wildly passionate supporters.
The race starts on July 1 and finishes on July 23, finishing in Paris after 21 stages.
Quick route facts:
- Distance: 3,350 kilometers (2,079 miles) – the most extended Tour was in 1926 at 5,745 kilometers (3,570 miles).
- Longest stage: Stage 2 (Vitoria-Gasteiz to Saint-Sebastien 209 km / 113 miles).
- Total Elevation gained: 57,378 m / 188,248′ (47,861m / 157,024′)
- Most Elevation gained on a stage: Stage 17 (5,012 m / 16,444′; includes Cormet Roselend and Col de la Loze).
- Most Elevation gained on a climb: Col de la Loze – 1,805 meters / 5,922′
- The highest point on the 2023 TdF is Col de la Loze (Stage 17) at 2304 meters (7,559′)
- Steepest climb: Cote des Amerands 9.5% 2.9 km (Stage 15)
Stage 1: Saturday, July 1 – Bilbao to Bilbao, 182km
For the first time in a few years, the Tour de France starts with an entire stage rather than a time trial – and it isn’t an accessible introduction to the Tour.
Bilbao hosts this 185km loop ride that takes in a good 3300m of climbing. The polka dot contest has five climbs with points up for grabs. The climbs on the route are the Côte de Pike – just 10km from the finish – plus the Côte de Laukiz, the Côte de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Côte de Morga and the Côte de Vivero.
Stage 2: Sunday, July 2 – Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian, 209km
The opening stages are a whistle-stop tour of the jewels of the Basque region. From Bilbao on day one to the popular seaside resort of San Sebastian, the day may end on the coast, but it’s a simple ride: there are five climbs on stage two.
Stage 3: Monday, July 3 – Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne, 185km
Starting in Amorebienta-Etxano, this stage heads back across the border into France.
Stage 4: Tuesday, July 4 – Dax to Nogaro Circuit, 182km
Another day for the sprinters as they go head-to-head on the Nogaro circuit.
Stage 5: Wednesday, July 5 – Pau to Laruns, 165km
It wouldn’t be the Tour de France without Pau on the map – with this stage also marking the first mountain stage.
Stage 6: Thursday, July 6 – Tarbes to Cauterets, 145km
This stage welcomes Aspin and Tourmalet, part of 3750 meters of climbing.
Stage 7: Friday, July 7 – Mont de Marsan to Bordeaux, 170km
The Tour visits Bordeaux for the 82nd time – until recently, it was one of the regular Tour towns, although this is the first visit in more than ten years. It’ll be a sprint finish along the riverfront, ending at Place des Quinconces.
Stage 8: Saturday, July 8 – Libourne to Limoges, 201km
The sprinters capable of powering up a short but challenging climb could take the win on stage eight.
Stage 9: Sunday, July 9 – Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat to Puy de Dôme, 184km
An icon returns. The yellow caravan returns to the Puy de Dôme on stage 9, a monster 13.3 kilometers long, with the last climbing at more than 11% towards the crater at the top.
Rest day – Monday, July 10 – Clermont-Ferrand
Stage 10: Tuesday, July 11 – Parc Vulcania to Issoire, 167km
Stage 10 on the Tour de France sets off from Vulcania, an educational amusement park in Saint-Ours-les-Roches. The 167 kilometers route traverses Massif Central to finish in Issoire.
Stage 11: Wednesday, July 12 – Clermont Ferrand to Moulins, 180km
A day for the sprinters. At 180 kilometers, the 11th stage of the Tour de France travels from Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins—hills in the first half, predominantly flat terrain in the second.
Stage 12: Thursday, July 13 – Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais 169km
The formation of the breakaway will be one of the critical moments on this hilly stage, with riders traveling on hilly terrain from Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, a small town on the river Loire.
Stage 13: Friday, July 14 – Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier, 138km
Mountains! The riders climb to the Lèbe observatory – a long drag at shallow gradients, peaking out at 900 meters – before descending to Artemare. Some 10 kilometers, the finish climb begins in Culoz.
Stage 14: Saturday, July 15 – Annemasse to Morzine, 152km
Four thousand two hundred meters of climbing, including the Col de la Ramaz and Joux Plane; this is also the 2023 L’Etape du Tour stage.
Stage 15: Sunday, July 16 – Les Gets to Saint Gervais, 180km
The 15th Tour de France stage route goes up or down the entire day, except for the first 30 kilometers. Four climbs stand out; The Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (7.2 kilometers at 7.3%), Col de la Croix Fry (11.3 kilometers at 7%) and its extension Col des Aravis), and, obviously, the climb to the line.
Rest day: Monday, July 17 – Saint Gervais Mont Blanc
Stage 16: Tuesday, July 18 – Passy to Combloux, 22km
An individual time trial in the Alps follows the second rest day. The 22 kilometers route between Passy and Combloux takes in the short and sharp Côte de Domancy before the road continues to climb to the line.
Stage 17: Wednesday, July 19 – Saint Gervais to Courchevel, 166km
More than 5000 meters of vertical gain feature, featuring the infamous Col de la Loze, before reaching Courchevel’s airport.
Stage 18: Thursday, July 20 – Moutiers to Bourg en Bresse, 186km
A flat to lumpy race of 186 kilometers between Moûtiers and Bourg-en-Bresse. The last uphill test, Côte de Revonnas, is created inside the previous 12 kilometers, but it’s not expected to thwart a bunch sprint.
Stage 19: Friday, July 22 – Moirans-en-Montagne to Poligny, 173km
This stage travels from Moirans-en-Montagne to Poligny, with an elevation gain of almost 2,000 meters, while the straight home runs false flat uphill.
Stage 20: Saturday, July 22 – Belfort to Le Markstein, 133km
The last mountain stage of the Tour de France plays out in the Vosges Mountains, ending in the ski station Le Markstein.
Stage 21: Sunday, July 23 – Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines to Paris Champs-Elysées, 115km
The last stage of the Tour starts at France’s national velodrome in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and finishes on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.
The showdown has been a given for years. After a parade into Paris, we’ll see eight laps at breakneck speeds before an inevitable sprint finish ends the biggest cycling event on the planet.
The teams
The 110th edition of the Tour de France peloton will include 22 teams at the start in the Basque country on July 1, 2023.
18 UCI WorldTeams and 4 UCI ProTeams, with one unprecedented participation.
AG2R Citroën
Riders: Ben O’Connor, Oliver Naesen, Greg van Avermaet, Felix Gall, Nans Peters, Dorian Godon
Based in: France
Alpecin – Deceuninck
Riders: Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Søren Kragh Andersen, Michael Gogl, Quinten Hermans, Jonas Rickaert
Based in: Belgium
Arkéa Samsic
Riders: Warren Barguil, Élie Gesbert, Clément Champoussin
Based in: France
Astana Qazaqstan Team
Riders: Alexey Lutsenko, Mark Cavendish, Cees Bol, David de la Cruz, Joe Dombrowski, Dmitriy Gruzdev, Samuele Battistella, Yevgeniy Fedorov
Based in: Kazakhstan
Bahrain Victorious
Riders: Mikel Landa, Matej Mohoric, Pello Bilbao, Wout Poels, Fred Wright, Kamil Gradek
Based in: Bahrain
BORA – hansgrohe
Riders: Jai Hindley, Sergio Higuita, Sam Bennett, Emanuel Buchmann, Bob Jungels, Danny van Poppel, Jordi Meeus, Patrick Konrad, Nils Politt
Based in: Germany
Cofidis
Riders: Ion Izagirre, Guillaume Martin, Simon Geschke, Axel Zingle, Benjamin Thomas, Pierre-Luc Périchon, Anthony Perez, Bryan Coquard, Piet Allegaert
Based in: France
EF Education – EasyPost
Riders: Richard Carapaz, Magnus Cort, Alberto Bettiol, Rigoberto Uran, Andrey Amador, Mikkel Honoré
Based in: USA
Groupama – FDJ
Riders: David Gaudu, Thibaut Pinot, Stefan Küng, Valentin Madouas, Kevin Geniets
Based in: France
INEOS Grenadiers
Riders: Egan Bernal, Carlos Rodriguez, Tom Pidcock, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Michal Kwiatkowski, Jonathan Castroviejo
Based in: United Kingdom
Intermarché – Circus – Wanty
Riders: Biniam Girmay, Rui Costa, Mike Teunissen, Louis Meintjes, Lilian Calmejane, Kobe Goossens, Loïc Vliegen, Georg Zimmermann, Adrien Petit
Based in: Belgium
Jumbo – Visma
Riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Wilco Kelderman, Dylan van Baarle, Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, Sepp Kuss, Christophe Laporte, Nathan Van Hooydonck
Based in: Netherlands
Movistar
Riders: Enric Mas, Matteo Jorgenson, Ruben Guerreiro, Nelson Oliveira, Jorge Arcas
Based in: Spain
Soudal – QuickStep
Riders: Julian Alaphilippe, Fabio Jakobsen, Andrea Bagioli, Michael Mørkøv, Mauri Vansevenant, Yves Lampaert, Rémi Cavagna, Florian Sénéchal
Based in: Belgium
Team Jayco – AlUla
Riders: Simon Yates, Dylan Groenewegen, Christopher Juul-Jensen, Lawson Craddock, Luke Durbridge, Luka Mezgec, Matteo Sobrero, Chris Harper
Based in: Australia
Team dsm-firmenich
Riders: Romain Bardet, Nils Eekhoff, Andreas Leknessund, Matthew Binham, Sam Welsford
Based in: Netherlands
Trek – Segafredo
Riders: Giulio Ciccone, Bauke Mollema, Mads Pedersen, Jasper Stuyven, Juan Pedro López, Tony Gallopin, Mattias Skjelmose, Alex Kirsch
Based in: USA
UAE Emirates
Riders: Tadej Pogacar, Adam Yates, Marc Soler, Rafal Majka, Domen Novak, Mikkel Bjerg, Vegard Stake Laengen
Based in: United Arab Emirates
Israel – Premier Tech
Riders: Jakob Fuglsang, Simon Clarke, Daryl Impey, Dylan Teuns, Giacomo Nizzolo, Nick Schultz
Based in: Israel
Lotto – Dstny
Riders: Caleb Ewan, Thomas De Gendt, Brent Van Moer, Andreas Kron
Based in: Belgium
TotalEnergies
Riders: Pierre Latour, Peter Sagan, Alexis Vuillermoz, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Maciej Bodnar, Daniel Oss, Anthony Turgis
Based in: France
Uno-X
Riders: Alexander Kristoff, Tobias Halland Johannessen, Rasmus Tiller, Torstein Træen, Søren Wærenskjold, Anthon Charmig, Jonas Gregaard, Fredrik Dversnes, Martin Urianstad, Erik Nordsæter Resell
Based in: Norway
A brief history
The Tour de France will be in its 110th edition in 2023, starting in 1903. Having only stopped for the two world wars, the Tour became the premier event of the cycling calendar and is now one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.
The Tour has changed significantly since its first iteration, but at its heart remains a grueling test of physical and mental endurance for the participants.
Such is the Tour’s prestige; overall wins and stage wins often define riders’ careers. Some riders, however, have shaped the Tour’s history through their exceptional exploits, winning the general classification multiple times throughout their careers. Jacques Anquetil (1957 – 1964), Eddy Merckx (1969 – 1974), Bernard Hinault (1978 – 1985) and Miguel Indurain (1991 – 1995) hold the joint record of five for the most Tour wins, while Indurain is the only rider to win his titles in five-consecutive years.
American Lance Armstrong held the record of seven until his title was stripped in 2012 after admitting to doping.
Chris Froome is the only current rider with more than one Tour de France overall victory, having secured four titles between 2013 and 2017.
As for stage wins, Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 was matched in 2019 by Britain’s Mark Cavendish, undoubtedly the most successful sprinter in Tour de France history. Cavendish is chasing a record-breaking 35th stage win at the 2023 Tour.
Peter Sagan has seven victories in the green jersey points competition in the other classifications. In contrast, former French rider Richard Virenque has the same number on the King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey.
Tadej Pogačar was the reigning champion of the yellow and polka-dot jersey in 2020 and 2021 but couldn’t repeat the feat in the 2022 Tour. Instead, Jumbo-Visma’s Jonas Vingegaard took the double jersey title.
Most Tour de France wins:
5 wins – Jacques Anquetil (1957 – 1964), Eddy Merckx (1969 – 1974), Bernard Hinault (1978 – 1985) and Miguel Indurain (1991 – 1995)
4 wins – Chris Froome (2013 – 2017)
3 wins – Philippe Thys (1913 – 1920), Louison Bobet (1953 – 55), Greg LeMond (1986 – 1990)
Recent Tour de France winners:
2022 – Jonas Vingegaard, Jumbo-Visma
2021 – Tadej Pogačar, UAE Team Emirates
2020 – Tadej Pogačar, UAE Team Emirates
2019 – Egan Bernal, Team Ineos
2018 – Geraint Thomas, Team Sky
2017 – Chris Froome, Team Sky
2016 – Chris Froome, Team Sky
2015 – Chris Froome, Team Sky
2014 – Vincenzo Nibali, Astana ProTeam
2013 – Chris Froome, Sky Procycling
2012 – Bradley Wiggins, Sky Procycling
2011 – Cadel Evans, BMC Racing Team
2010 – Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank
2009 – Alberto Contador, Astana
2008 – Carlos Sastre, CSC ProTeam
2007 – Alberto Contador, Discovery Channel
2006 – Oscar Pereiro, Caisse d’Epargne
The contenders
Most of the hard work has been done, and there is little time to conjure up form, condition or confidence for the 2023 Tour de France favorites.
We rank the Tour de France contenders by their performances, and as the months have now trickled down to scant weeks before the Grand Départ in Bilbao, it’s time to run the rule over the contenders for the maillot jaune again.
Jonas Vingegaard
Team: Jumbo-Visma
Age: 25
Tour experience: Winner in 2022, runner-up in 2021
2023 results: 1st with three stage wins at O Gran Camiño, 3rd at Paris-Nice, 1st with three stage wins at Itzulia Basque Country, 1st with two stage wins at Critérium du Dauphiné
Odds: 21/20
Tadej Pogačar
Team: UAE Team Emirates
Age: 24
Tour experience: Winner in 2020 and 2021, runner-up in 2022
2023 results: 1st at Jaén Paraíso Interior, 1st with three stage wins at Ruta del Sol, 1st with three stage wins at Paris-Nice, 4th at Milan-San Remo, 3rd at E3 Classic, 1st at Tour of Flanders, 1st at Amstel Gold Race, 1st at La Flèche Wallonne, DNF at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Odds: 13/8
Mikel Landa
Team: Bahrain-Victorious
Age: 33
Tour experience: Five appearances, 4th in 2017 and 2020
2023 results: 7th at Volta Valenciana, 2nd at Ruta del Sol, 7th at Tirreno-Adriatico, 5th at Volta a Catalunya, 2nd at Itzulia Basque Country, 3rd at Flèche Wallonne, DNF at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 22nd at Critérium du Dauphiné
Odds: 80/1
Jai Hindley
Team: Bora-Hansgrohe
Age: 27
Tour experience: none
2023 results: 16th at Tour Down Under, 32nd at Cadel Evans Race, 13th at Volta ao Algarve, 32nd at Ardèche Classic, 53rd at Drôme Classic, 15th at Tirreno-Adriatico, 8th at Volta a Catalunya, 12th at Amstel Gold Race, 83rd at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 4th at Critérium du Dauphiné
Odds: 14/1
Enric Mas
Team: Movistar
Age: 28
Tour experience: Four appearances, 5th in 2020, 6th in 2021
2023 results: 5th at Ruta del Sol, 6th at Tirreno-Adriatico, 5th at Itzulia Basque Country, 17th at La Flèche Wallonne, DNF at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 17th at Critérium du Dauphiné
Odds: 14/1
How to watch
USA
NBC holds the broadcasting rights for the Tour de France in the USA. The race will be broadcast live on NBC and the network’s streaming service, Peacock TV.
Viewers in the USA can watch the Tour live via the network, while highlights and on-demand streams will also be available.
Peacock TV offers a seven-day free trial for those who want to try it before you buy. A full subscription to the service starts from $4.99 per month.
NBC is available via cable plans, and if you’re a cord-cutter, you can watch the network via Hulu ($7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial), DirecTV (from $64.99 per month with a five-day free trial), and FuboTV (from $74.99 per month with a seven-day free trial).
United Kingdom
The Tour de France will be broadcast live in the UK on ITV4, S4C and Eurosport, streaming on GCN+ and Discovery+ (with the same coverage, times TBA).
GCN+ costs £6.99 paid monthly, or £39.99 per year, and Discovery+ costs £6.99 per month or £59.99 per year, for sports and entertainment.
Highlight packages will also be available from most broadcasters, including nightly ITV4 shows and short highlights on YouTube.
Tour de France 2023 broadcasters complete list
Australia: SBS
Belgium: RTBF, VRT
Canada: Flobikes
Central and South America: ESPN
China: CCTV
Colombia: Caracol TV
Czech Republic: Czech TV
Denmark: DKTV2
Europe: Eurosport, GCN+
France: France Televisions
Ireland: TG4
Italy: RAI
Japan: J Sports
Luxembourg: RTL
Middle East and North Africa: Bein Sport
Netherlands: NOS
Norway: TV2 Norway
Portugal: RTP
Slovakia: RTVS
Slovenia: RTV Slovenija
Spain: RTVE
Sub-Saharan Africa: Supersport
Switzerland: SRG-SSR
United Kingdom: ITV
USA: NBC
Wales: S4C
Worldwide: TV5Monde
