Tour de France 2023: Preview of all 21 stages
Where does the course of the 110th Tour de France run along and how difficult are the individual stages? Get all the answers here! To start off with, the roadbook of the Tour of France 2023, which starts in Bilbao and ends in Paris after 3,304 kilometres, features one single time trial as well as eight flat, eight mountainous and four hilly stages.
Stage 1 | 1 July | Bilbao – Bilbao | 182 km
It will neither be a sprinter nor a time trialist who wears the first yellow jersey of this Tour. The course will be hilly right from the start in the Basque Country. The 182-kilometre stage has a total elevation of 3,300 metres – with the main difficulties on the final 30 kilometres with the climbs Vivero and Pike, which will tear apart the peloton.
Route map of the 1st stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 2 | 2 July | Vitoria-Gasteiz – Donostia San Sebastián | 208.9 km
The longest stage of this Tour is based on the Spanish cycling classic San Sebastian. A race that always takes place in midsummer shortly after the Tour and favours climbers and puncheurs that are good for some uphill riding. On the way from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián, the peloton crosses Côte d’Aztiria, Côte d’Alkiza and the famous Jaizkibel climb, albeit from the less difficult side. Difficult enough, however, to cut the peloton down to a small group of riders to arrive in San Sebastian in the end. This stage may neither necessarily go like a classic nor lead to all riders going all out on this day, as there are still 19 difficult stages to come.
Route map of the 2nd stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 3 | 3 July | Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne | 187.4 km
The third day also starts in the Basque country – in Amorebieta-Etxano. Over some climbs and along the coast, the stage leads riders to the French border and back to the mother country. There, in the finish town of Bayonne, the first mass sprint of this 110th Tour de France will probably take place.
Route map of the 3rd stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 4 | 4 July | Dax – Nogaro | 181.8 km
Another stage, another sprint section. Even though the course leads over hilly terrain, the last kilometres and also the finale are made for the very fast men. The Circuit Paul Armagnac offers perfect conditions for a high-speed sprint.
Route map of the 4th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 5 | 5 July | Pau – Laruns | 162.7 km
The Tour reaches the Pyrenees already on day five. This stage is not really spectacular, but the Col de Soudet and the Col de Marie Blanque, which emerges about 20 kilometres before the finish, are enough to split the peloton into smaller groups. It’s quite possible that today a breakaway group – with riders who are not dangerous for the general classification riders – will provide the winner. Should one of the GC riders show some weakness, this will surely be punished.
Route map of the 5th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 6 | 6 July | Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque | 144.9 km
The first mountain finish and at the same time the last day in the Pyrenees, which the peloton will only pay a short visit to in 2023. However, the main difficulty is not the final section, but the Pyrenean double of Aspin and Tourmalet which riders need to conquer less than 50 kilometres before the finish, followed by the rolling climb of Cauterets-Cambasque, which is 16 kilometres long but only has a gradient of 5.4 percent. Not steep enough to bring about a decision, let alone isolate the team captains from their mountain helpers.
Route map of the 6th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 7 | 7 July | Mont-de-Marsan – Bordeaux | 169.9 km
A finale cut out for sprinters, as the course runs through Bordeaux on wide boulevards on the final kilometres and ends on a two-kilometre-long finishing straight. Perfect conditions for the top sprinters to fight for victory after less than four hours. The last time Bordeaux was a stage finish was in 2010 – and some guy called Mark Cavendish won it back then. Maybe a good omen for Tour stage win no. 35.
Route map of the 7th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 8 | 8 July | Libourne – Limoges | 200.7 km
At first glance, the second longest stage of the Tour of France 2023 could also end in a bunch sprint, but when taking a closer look this will turn out to be a difficult undertaking. On the one hand, this transfer stage leading the peloton in the direction of the Massif Central goes over some “bumps” which, if ridden accordingly, could favour breakaways and suck some energy out of the sprinters. On the other hand, the section ends in Limoges with an uphill sprint. Not an easy task for a classic power sprinter. Maybe puncheurs and explosive classic riders are rather set for a win.
Route map of the 8th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 9 | 9 July | Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dome | 182.4 km
This stage commemorates France’s cycling hero Raymond Poulidor, who never won the Tour but finished second three times, and whose grandson Mathieu van der Poel is one of the superstars of the new cycling generation.
What is reminiscent of “Poupou” is not only the final climb, Puy de Dome, on the slopes of which Poulidor had an incredible duel with Jacques Anquetil in 1964, but also the starting point, Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat. This is where Poulidor lived after he married until his death in 2019. As iconic as the start and finish may be, little of sporting significance will happen in between on this day. It will all come down to the volcanic mountain in the Massif Central and its final four kilometres, averaging a gradient of 12 percent.
It is part of a Tour de France for the first time again after a 35-year absence. Previously, it had been ridden a total of 14 times. A drama similar to the one back in 1964 is hardly likely, the ride leading to its foot is too easy, and the climb comes too early in the Tour. Maybe Poulidor’s grandson will pull off a feat and turn this day into something very special by winning this stage.
Route map of the 9th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 10 | 11 July | Vulcana – Issoire | 167.2 km
After the rest day in Clermont-Ferrand, the stage, which starts in a volcano theme park, leads through the hilly part of the Massif Central, offering perfect conditions for breakaways. The former volcanic mountains – called Chaîne des Puys, i.e., Monts Dômes – are lined up in the stage and made for attacks.
Route map of the 10th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 11 | 12 July | Clermont-Ferrand – Moulins | 179.8 km
This stage ends in Moulins, which has not yet been part of the Tour. Most likely the stage will end with a sprint because the way out of the Massif Central is not very difficult, especially the second half of the stage.
Route map of the 11th stage of the 2023 Tour de France
Stage 12 | 13 July | Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais | 168.8 km
After a long transfer from yesterday’s stage finish, stage 12 starts in Roanne, 70 kilometres northwest of Lyon. As lovely as the area may be and appear in pictures due to the grape cultivation for Beaujolais wine, the stage through the vineyards will be tough for the riders. Ideal for a breakaway – i.e., an escape group – that can fight it out on the climbs of Croix Montmain, Croix Rosier and Croix Rosier and then race for the win in an uphill sprint.
Route map of the 12th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 13 | 14 July | Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier | 137.8 km
It’s Bastille Day and the final climb up to Grand Colombier awaits the pro riders at the end of this short stage. But the ride through the Ain region has its difficulties – therefore some of the riders may arrive at the foot of Grand Colombier quite exhausted. The climb in the Jura is not exactly one of the mythical climbs, it is still too young for that. It was part of the Tour for the first time in 2012. In 2020, it was the first mountain finish. But all that doesn’t hide how difficult it is to ride. Its length of 17.4 kilometres paired with its average gradient of 7.1 percent makes it one of the most difficult mountains of this Tour of France.
Route map of the 13th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 14 | 15 July | Annemasse – Morzine Les Portes du Soleil | 151.8 km
There will be no high climbs in the Alps on this day. All “cols” are below 1700 metres, but the succession of steep sections on the almost 152 kilometres of this stage has the potential to shake up the overall classification. The riders have to climb a total of six times – the last two ascents are definitely the nastiest – first Col de la Ramaz, followed by Col de Joux Plane. If that’s not enough to break away, there is a chance to do so on the fast and difficult descent from Joux-Plane down to the finish in Morzine. If it rains, this day could turn into a(nother) decision day due to the narrow roads.
Route map of the 14th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 15 | 16 July | Morzine Les Portes du Soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc | 179 km
In the shadow of Mont Blanc, climbing enthusiasts as well as GC riders can set off fireworks at the end of the second week. While the latter are more likely to concentrate on the two-part final climb over the Côte des Amerands with steep sections of up to 17 percent up to the finish in Saint Gervais, baroudeurs with climbing skills are likely to break away at the latest at the uncategorised Col de Fleurles, which is a good eight kilometres long. Between this first and the last climb, however, there are three more tough climbs, the Col de la Forclaz, Croix Fry and Col des Aravis, which will take their toll and could lead to some surprises.
Route map of the 15th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 16 | 18 July | Passy – Combloux (EZF) | 22.4 km
The only battle against the clock in this Tour of France. Moreover, the 22.4 kilometres of the time trial are the fewest that have been in a Grand Boucle in a long time. However, this Contre la Montre is not for specialists only, because as soon as three kilometres after the start the course leads up to Cote des Soudans. Together with the final six kilometres over the steep climb to Cote de Domanchy (category 2) up to the finish in Combloux, it clearly favours riders with a very good watt-per-kilogram ratio and those who “came out” well of yesterday’s rest day.
Route map of the 16th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 17 | 19 July | Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc – Courchevel | 165.7 km
The queen stage of the 2023 edition leads on the way from Saint Gervais-Mont Blanc to Courchevel over the passes Col des Saisies, Cormet de Roselend, Côte de Longefoy as well as over the roof of the Tour – the 2304 metre high Col de la Loze. The pass, which has only been part of a Tour once so far in 2020, is not only very steep, but also unrhythmic to ride. As this time the finish will not be at the top, it will be exciting to see who masters the short descent best before climbing up to the finish on the 18-percent Altiport ascent to Courchevel.
Route map of the 17th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 18 | 18 July | Moûtiers – Bourg-en-Bresse | 184.9 km
From Moûtiers, the gateway to the Alps, the third longest section of this Tour of France leads east into the flatter part of the Jura. The sprint in Bourg-en-Bresse could be one for the top sprinters if they can rely on a powerful group. Otherwise, with a balanced group of riders, escapees could get their chance. The first one or two hours of the race will be exciting – until the group has formed. Because in addition to the stage win, some teams will focus on the team classification in the third week.
Route map of the 18th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 19 | 20 July | Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny | 172.8 km
Even though this stage goes through the Jura region, the big climbs will quickly be left to the left and right. Instead, the course winds its way between the lakes of the area. Only Côte d’Ivory (category 3), which is located about 30 kilometres before the finish, could be dangerous for the sprinter teams. But after that there will still be enough time to close any gaps that may have been torn and build up a sprint train towards Poligny.
Route map of the 19th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 20 | 22 July | Belfort – Le Markstein Fellering | 133.5 km
This section through the Vosges Mountains is strongly reminiscent of last year’s queen stage of the first Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. With narrow time gaps in the general classification, the penultimate stage should once again animate the protagonists to set off fireworks. The course is ideal to do so. There will be five categorised climbs, a few uncategorised ones – and the 133.5 kilometres with their 3,600 metres elevation gain resemble a roller coaster. There a very few flat sections on this stage. Especially the duo Petit Ballon and Col du Platzerwasel on the final 35 kilometres could be good for some shifts, i.e., attacks.
Route map of the 20th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Stage 21 | 23 July | Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris Champs-Élysées | 115.1 km
The most prestigious stage win for sprinters in any Tour is the one in Paris. While the first two hours of the race will still be relaxed, riders will fight for every metre and position on the laps on the Champs-Élysées. Will the series continue, and will another fast man win here for the eighth time in a row? By the way: The first kilometres of the stage will lead through Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, whose velodrome will host the most important track cycling competitions of the upcoming 202nd Olympic Games.
Road map of the 21st Tour de France stage 2023
Profiles and Maps: © ASO