Bonjour, we’re ready for the presentation of the 2023 Tour de France route, a route that offers a lot of interesting racing. No Grand Depart in a foreign country after last year’s start in Germany where we saw Silvio Herklotz take home the victory in dominating fashion! Without much further ado, lets jump into the presentation of the first week of the route!
Week 1 – The sprinters get to make a bid for green!
The quick rundown of the first week is that it’s a week made for the sprinters with potentially 5 stages that could go their way, pending the pace that’s ridden over the hills close to the finish lines. Then we have two Massif Central stages that could be seen as avenues of losing the Tour but where it cant be won. For a more in-depth run down of each stage look below!
Stage 1 | Passage du Gois – Mont des Alouttes:
The peloton will start in Passage du Gois with a 199km stage that ends on the Mont des Alouettes. While the stage is rated flat, the ascent to Mont des Alouettes is a 4.3km climb with an average incline of 3.1% topping at 6.8%, this could mean that this is going to be too tough of an opening stage for traditional sprinters that will get some action on the following stages though!
Stage 2 | Orlonne-sur-Mer - Redon:
The second stage of the Tour is a traditional sprinters stage, it’s 191kms and takes us from Ollone-sur-Mer to Redon with some smaller hills along the way but nothing that should have an impact on the field of sprinters.
Stage 3 | Carhaix – Cap Fréhel:
The third stage starts in Carhaix and is another sprint stage, it is however incredibly short for its kind and only spans over 165kms before the arrival in Cap Fréhel. With no real obstacles this should be another sprint stage with no fear of it slipping away from the sprint teams.
Stage 4 | Dinan - Lisieux:
While stage 2 & 3 seemed like pretty easy sprint stages with no real obstacles the fourth stage is a 225km stage in constantly rolling hills, so while this stage. It finishes uphill towards Lisieux and while we don’t have the information of the toughness of the final climb it’s a punchy hill that could lead to some late attacks from the puncheurs of the field.
Stage 5 | Aigurande – Super-Besse Sancy:
The fifth stage is defined by the fact that we finally enter Massif Central for good. A 185km stage that finishes as a Hill-Top-Finish to the ski resort on the top of Montée Super-Besse. The final of this stage is defined by two climbs that could either be the first time we see the GC favourites have a go at each other or see the puncheurs try to animate the race. The first climb is Col de la Croix Saint-Robert, it is a 9.6km climb that averages a 5.4% incline so we could see plenty of separation before the riders head to the final climb. The final climb stretches over 6kms with a max incline of 7.7% where we will see the stage decided.
Stage 6 | Issoire – Saint-Flour:
For the 6th stage we stay in Massif Central, with a classic Massif Central stage. A stage where we might see the breakaway do their utmost to secure a win. A 200km stage with a lot of really punchy hills that need to be conquered the race will be decided with a HTF to Saint-Flour.
Stage 7 | Aurillac – Carmaux:
We close out the opening week with a short stage to Carmaux as the teams make their way towards the Pyrenees before their rest day. A stage that is defined by a climb shortly before the finish line that might tire out the heaviest sprinters in peloton, but there should be enough distance to the finish line that they should be playing a part in the sprint.
Week 2 | Aint no mountain high enough
While there was no GC action in the first week of the Tour, the second week offers nothing but GC action! Incredible stages in the Pyrenees with MTFs left and right and the first of two individual time trials in this year’s race! This could very well be a race defining week with legendary climbs such as Luz-Ardiden being placed in week 1 this year compared to it being one of the final climbs last year where we saw Herklotz manifest his Tour win. The two other MTF in the second week takes us to the legendary Plateau de Beille and Les Sybelles! Let’s dive into the individual stages!
Stage 8 | Cugnaux –Luz-Ardiden:
The first proper Mouintain stage might seem familiar as it is very similar to the final mountain stage of last year’s Tour. Three massive climbs await the riders when they set out from Cugnaux in the morning with the finish line being at the top of Luz-Ardiden. The first climb on the stage is Hourquette d’Ancizan, that averages 8% over the course of 10kms, then the pack takes on the legendary Col du Tourmalet, a mountain that needs no introduction it is a long climb for the diesel engines of the peloton with a 7.4% average over 17km. After the desecent from Tourmalet the riders then take on Luz-Ardiden where we can expect to see the first proper battle between the favourites of the Tour.
Stage 9 | Pau – Lourdes:
While there is no such thing as an easy mountain stage, stage 9 might be closest we’re getting in this year’s Tour. Only a single meaningful climb as the peloton has to climb Col d’Aubisque midway through this 146km stage. After that it is a relatively straightforward descent before they have to approach the city of Lourdes for the finish to the stage.
Stage 10 | Saint-Gaudens – Plateau de Beille:
Stage 10 is slightly longer than stage 9 but features a lot more climbs. The difficulty gets ramped up with 7 climbs on the 159.2km course. The most impactful climb will be the Plateau de Beille that is the climb that hosts the finish line of the stage where the red carpet has been laid out for the GC riders to duke it out in dramatic fashion after a draining day. Plateau de Beille is a 16km long climb that peaks at 11% incline, it is a very consistent climb which could favour the grimpeurs yet again.
Stage 11 | Limoux – Montpellier:
The 11th stage offers some much-needed respite for the sprinters after three incredibly tough stages in the Pyrenees. They get their chance to shine after a relatively uninspiring stage to Montpellier where they will sprint it out, there are no climbs or anything of that matter as the rest of the pack gets to ahead of the individual time trial the following day! This also most likely the final chance for the sprinters to shine before Paris.
Stage 12 | Arc-et-Senans – Besançon:
The first of two flat Time Trials in this year’s edition is a 38km flat ITT for the true ITT specialists. It could be defining for the GC fight but with two more tough mountain stages right after it before the rest day there will be plenty of chances for the weaker TTers to be proactive and reduce the gaps.
Stage 13 | Mâcon – Bellegarde-sur-Valserine:
After an “easy” day on the bike with the ITT the riders are back at it with three major climbs that before a finish following a descent from Col de Richemond. However, the star of the show is Col du Grand Colombier which is the penultimate climb on stage. We could see real separation created on the mountain as it is also a key part of the fight for the KoM jersey.
Stage 14 | Albertville – La Toussuire – Les Sybelles:
The second week is rounded out by a short and hefty stage that covers 144kms from Albertville to La Touissere. There are four major climbs on the stage with all of them being draining. The first of the four climbs is Col de la Madeleine which is a whopping 26km ascent for the peloton before a descent that covers the same distance to the foot of Col de la Croix de Fer that is a 23km ascent that maxes at 13.1% incline. On the descent from Croix de Fer there is a minor bump in the road with Col du Mollard before the descent towards the final climb of the stage in La Troussiere.
Week 3 | 21 Hairpins and 52 kilometres against the clock:
The third week has less mountain stages than week 2, but we are getting a feast in the Alps! The riders will be taking on the 21 legendary hairpins of Ale d’Huez in the first of three mountain stages with the final mountain stage finishing with a MTF in Annecy-Semnoz! That’s not where the fight for yellow jersey ends though as stage 20 of this year’s Tour de France is a massive 52-kilometre time trial from Bonneval to Chartres! After that it is time for the final celebratory ride to Champs-Elysées where the sprinters will get their final shot for glory and who knows maybe the green jersey will switch hands!
Stage 15 | Saint Pourçain sur Sioule - Lyon:
The final week kicks off with a stage that is rated hilly by the race organisation but could be an option for the sprinters or a reduced bunch sprint. The stage doesn’t look overly tough and certain sprinters will 100% be able to survive the final few bumps towards the end of the stage.
Stage 16 | Vaison la Romaine - Gap:
A stage that looks like a designated breakaway stage with a massive descent towards the goal in Gap that is going to be the start of the following stage. The climb before the finish is looking like it is going to be the deciding factor for the break if a fast man survices this and can recharge on the descent it could be a defining moment for the stage.
Stage 17 | Gap – Alpe d’Huez:
Gap is known for one thing: being the entryway to Alps in Tour de France. This year is no different as the small French city with a population of 40,000 citizens marks the start of the stage that ends with the riders taking on the legendary 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez. However, the peloton must climb the legendary mountain twice, once in the middle of the stage, only to descent and do it all over again from the other side as they approach the finish on the top of the mountain. It’s a day that looks tailor made for fantastic GC action!
Stage 18 | Bourg d’Oisans – Le Grand Bornand:
Stage 18 is a stage that stretches just over 200kms. After a mountain finish on Alpe d’Huez yesterday the peloton has a tough day ahead with the two toughest climbs coming at the start of the stage. If the sprinters aren’t watchful this could mean that they might be in danger of being outside of the time limit on the stage due to the length and difficulty. Because while it finishes with a descent into finish line it is by no means and easy stage. Time will tell if the GC combatants are going to leave this one to the breakaway, but chances are that with only one more mountain stage left that the climbers without great time trialling will have to attack to gain time on this stage and on the queen stage!
Stage 19 | Annecy – Annecy-Semnoz:
Annecy is a popular ski resort area and we’re finishing this years climbing on the off one of the many mountains in the area. A short stage of just 126kms is all there’s on the menu. However, these are we are finishing on a menacing climb and there’s a another huge climb shortly before they enter a valley and begin the ascent to the top of the final climb. This will be the absolute final call for the climbers to put any time into the traditional stage racers before the 52km time trial looms on the following day.
Stage 20 | Bonneval - Chartres:
Here it is, the fabled 52km individual time trial that will be the deciding factor for a lot of GC positions and could even feature a fantastic battle for the yellow jersey depending on the startlist for this year’s edition! It’s a straightforward ITT on flat terrain, tailormade for true ITT specialist with basically 0 metres of elevation across the entire route making it a prime opportunity for some of the specialists that have been protecting their captains for the past three weeks to let loose and fight for individual glory!
Stage 21 | Versailles – Champs Elysées:
The final victory lap for the surviving fights of the peloton, a stage where some riders will try their utmost to usurp the sprinters with an early break, but everything should be under control as the pack enters the legendary streets of Paris and can celebrate a 3-week effort being concluded.
Summary:
To summarise this year’s Tour de France route it is going to be quite the spectacle but it will favour the stage racers with a strong ability on the time trial bikes as there is going to be a whopping 80kms of TTing that must be done alone. This also means that some more traditional climbers must look for gaps elsewhere to ensure a good placement in the general classification.
There was a mixup on the profiles directory on the server if you just looked at the profile pictures, please have a look again as it was last year's route originally in this thread.
An exciting year to return to the big dance, in a full scoring capacity this time around too! Unsure at this stage what sort of team we’ll have together when it comes to leadership but hopefully one that allows us to have some fun in France
80 TT kilometers and 2x Alpe d'Huez - what a parcours! After some rather unkown climbs last year, we'll get a good dose of the "big" ascents this year.
And I have to admit that I had the same thoughts as kockout when looking at the route - time (trial) for PHL to make the Evonik dream come true! Guess he has to go for it in a year where there's no TTT at Le Tour
So, the Norwegians will like this, I think Seems to be more or less the 2011 edition, but with some new stages and some variants in the stages (for example the Alpe d'Huez stage, where they went over Galibier in 2011). No Pinerolo, unfortunately for Eddy the Boss, but we do have the three other finishes with a Norwegian win (Lisieux, Lourdes and Gap). Could be some cool memories coming back up.
Seems to be more or less the 2011 edition, but with some new stages and some variants in the stages (for example the Alpe d'Huez stage, where they went over Galibier in 2011). No Pinerolo, unfortunately for Eddy the Boss, but we do have the three other finishes with a Norwegian win (Lisieux, Lourdes and Gap). Could be some cool memories coming back up.
