But while these two stages might arrive too soon to decide the Tour, they are definitely hard enough to shake-up the Tours General Classification. This pass is the stepping stone to the 'roof' of the Tour, the riders dropping briefly away from it and then climbing again into Andorra and up to the Port dEnvalira, which tops out at 2,408m. Ineos Grenadiers will suit the demanding terrain characterised by its challenging climbs. The decisive mountains that could decide who takes home the yellow jersey in the biggest stage race of the year. But, with no disrespect intended, barring major surprises, a colossal amount of the GC interest at this point will centre on just two of them. Tadej Poagar (UAE Team Emirates) follows closely, just 15 points behind, with Micha Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) and Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), both trailing by 16 points. But when we get to the heart of the matter on the one major climb of the day just outside the city of Clermont-Ferrand, itd be reasonable to imagine a scenario in which the Cte de Baraque will see a major shredding of the peloton. The second part, which constitutes the real Puy de Dme is only 4.5km long, but has a gradient of 11.5%. No, like many familiar destinations of the Tour, its become such a staple due to its proximity to the Alps in particular the mighty Col de Joux Plane summit, which will be the climactic mountain of a brutal stage 14. Mont Ventoux returns to the Tour route for the first time since 2016, when a fearsome Mistral wind barrelling across 'the bald mountain' forced the shortening of the stage and, ultimately, saw race leader Chris Froome running towards the finish after his bike had been damaged in a collision with a motorbike. PARIS . Alpe dHuez is 13.8km long averaging 8.2% gradient a tough challenge in itself. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, Pool), Denmarks Jonas Vingegaard, wearing the overall leaders yellow jersey, drinks champagne with teammates during the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 115 kilometers (71.5 miles) with start in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, Sunday, July 23, 2023. It was supposed to be a day for a bunch sprint in Bourg-en-Bresse, yet Kasper Asgreen won. Not all grand tour stages are created equal! Can We Survive The Toughest Grand Tour Stage? Tour de France 2023: Stage-by-stage guide and results. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Over three straight days riders will be tested by the French Alps, with a summit finish on both Stage 13 and Stage 15. While fans head home Monday to nurse their hangovers, the riders will appreciate the Tours second Rest Day. The organisers have strategically placed this demanding day close to the end of the three week race, meaning fatigue will be really setting in at this point and some riders will be running the risk of last stage blow ups. Dormant or extinct this volcano may be, then, but on Sunday n the Puy de Dme, the sparks will surely fly. Finish: approximately 5:05 p.m. Of all the hors catgorieclimbs to be tackled in this years Tour, the Col de Joux Plane is the most unrelentingly steep. Lastly, its worth remembering that one factor that Pogaar may find hampers him is the heat. If the GC riders werent split up enough following the Galibier, the organisers have dealt another blow by adding a mountain top finish up the Col du Granon on this stage. Six stages where drama in the fight for the yellow jersey could unfold in the 110th edition of the Tour de France. You are now logged in! Bath We put Garmins most expensive solar bike computer against its cheapest solar smartwatch - how do the two compare? These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons. The next is the Col des Saisies, which is followed by a long drop to Beaufort, and consecutive ascents, first to the Col du Pr and, soon after, to the beautiful Cormet de Roselend. This year, the Tour de France route isnt particularly weighted in favour of a specific type of general classification rider. We can expect to see similar fireworks as the peloton takes the climb this year and the addition of the final gravel sector only adds more fuel. Either way, its one for the pure climbers once again and will inevitably provide a GC showdown. At just 145 kilometres, it includes three huge climbs including the well-known Col dAspin, the Col du Tourmalet and the first summit finish of the 2023 edition at Cauterets-Cambasque. Be it on the legbreaker of the Grenoble Bastille on the last day of this years Critrium du Dauphin, or in the Itzulia-Pais Vasco at the side of a house finish in Vilabona, or at Monte Trega in O Camio way back early this season, Vingegaard has proved he is more than capable to handing the toughest gradients cycling can throw at him. The current owner of the polka-dot jersey, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) will be looking to get up the road. A long, sometimes fast, but mostly straightforward descent will take the race into the heart of the little mountain territory, for the final test, the Collada de Beixalis. - A day at the Tour de France with Jonas Vingegaard's parents, Wout van Aert leaves Tour de France, with wife Sarah due to give birth 'imminently', Tommy Voeckler fined after motorbike causes Jonas Vingegaard to stop at Tour de France, 'Without bad luck, we will win the Tour de France': Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma prepare for victory. Week one: From the Basque Country to the Puy du Dome (Image credit: ASO) The 2023 Tour begins in the Basque Country, 31 years on from the 1992 Grand Dpart in San Sebastian, when Miguel. After passing through the finish in Malaucne for the first time, the route bumps around the base of the Ventoux to reach Bdoin for the classic ascent, which averages close to 9 per cent for 15.7km. Jonas Vingegaard (middle) won the 2022 Tour de France from Tadej Pogacar (left) and Geraint Thomas (right) The 110th edition of the Tour de . Jonas Vingegaard defends title in 'amazing' Tour de France The next day takes the Tour back to the 28km Col de la Loze, a 2,304 meter summit that made its Tour debut in 2020. After a 2022 rookie season which Kevin Vermaerke described as "a year with ups and downs," the California native came into this year's Tour hoping to build on those ups. Tour de France 2023 | Stage winners and leaders - ProCyclingStats.com In 1964, the final climb was the site of a legendary duel between five time winner Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor. That means three days of partying for roadside fansand three days of pain for the riders. Aside from intense racing and historic sites, this year's race will bring 12 new stage towns to the map, with the Grand Depart taking place in a new location as well. The Souvenir Henri Desgrange, awarded to the first person over the peak of the Tour, is at the top of the climb, and is a fitting prize to go with the stage win for whoever crosses the line first at Courchevel. Stage 15: Cret - Andorra la Vella, 192km The route climbs high in Andorra before a short late climb and descent (Image credit: ASO) As the Tour moves westwards across southern France from. Tour de France 2023: How to watch, storylines, teams, and results Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) is determined to secure a stage win and expressed confidence in his chances on this stage after taking a slightly easier day on the Grand Colombier. The Col de Joux Plane is certainly the most difficult of all the mountains on the menu, but the other three are all very challenging in their own right, and therefore sure to have an impact. There is a chance of rain in the Alps. The first of them ascends to Espiaube, the gradient averaging more than 9 per cent and significantly above that on the long, straight rise from the valley floor to the first hairpin, where a plaque marks the point where Raymond Poulidor attacked and dropped Eddy Merckx on his way to victory at Pla dAdet in the 1974 Tour. There is too much of the race left to run, too much-unfinished business and too many overdue sporting debts to be settled. Stage 14 has all the makings of a savage day on the bike with a consistently up and down parcours. Tour de France 2021: The Essential Race Guide In 2020 the finish line was at the top, but in 2023 the riders will crest the summit and descend 6km down the other side, where a steep, 18% ramp to the finish line in Courchevel awaits. The climb up the Grand Colombier returns on Stage 13 of the Tour de France, which was last used in 2020 when Tadej Pogaar beat out Primo Rogli to win the summit finish on Stage 15. It had been a three-week slog over 3,405 kilometers (2,116 miles) with eight mountain stages across five mountain ranges. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. In August, Remco Evenepoel cut his way through a sea of fireworks, beer and screaming fans as he sped towards a second Klasikoa title on the Jaizkibel. Alpe dHuez is a figurehead in Tour de France history, home to some of the most iconic battles for the yellow jersey in history. In case you missed yesterday's stage, here is the stage 20 report to get you up to speed: Jonas Vingegaard in . Stage 20 report: Tadej Pogacar won the final mountain stage of the 2023 Tour de France to Le Markstein, as Jonas Vingegaard sealed back-to-back wins in the French race, barring accident or illness . This is certainly a climbers Tour, but climbers wont create the only headlines. The pair sprinted for the line at the end of a frantic day of racing, with the . Even better, without seeing any actual evidence, its hard to decide on paper which of the two contenders is more favoured by a climb as relentlessly steep as the 12.6-kilometre Puy de Dme. First included in 1952when Italian legend Fausto Coppi was the first to the summitits since been the scene of some of the Tours most famous exploits, battles, and controversies. 38. With its inconsistent gradients and sections touching 20%, the 2,304 metre Col de la Loze is a beyond fearsome climb which is enough to strike fear into even the most talented of climbers. With a victory on stage 13, the British teams riders may have a newfound confidence, and Fraile might strive for a win, aiming for back-to-back triumphs for the team. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. He . The 210 kilometre stage includes the Cote dAztiria, Cote dAlkiza as well as the infamous Jaizkibel climb where the Basque fans will be out in full force. Winding through forest, the gradient barely touches 6 per cent over the 18km to Chalet Reynard, where the road meets the much steeper one coming up from Bdoin. With a victory on stage 13, the British teams riders may have a newfound confidence, and Fraile might strive for a win, aiming for back-to-back triumphs for the team. Tour de France GC battle hots up with return of Puy de Dme - Stage 9 Please check your email for instructions. Day after day, it was a super hard race with a super nice fight between me and Tadej. Stage 14 brings four categorized ascents before a tricky downhill ride to the finish in Morzine. 15:36. The 182 kilometres stage takes in five climbs, the last of which rises at 10% before dropping down to Bilbao. | We have to be careful not to do anything stupid, Vingegaard warned Saturday, but yeah, its amazing to take my second victory in the Tour de France.. Yet, after a couple of kilometres it begins to ascend more steeply, particularly as it passes through the picture-postcard village of Grust, where an extended stretch of hairpins begins. From Fausto Coppis solo win in 1952, to Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMonds truce on the climb in 1986 when they crossed the line arm in arm, to Geraint Thomass emphatic win in 2018 when he became the first Welshman to win Le Tour, the climb is rich with stories. From Fausto Coppis solo win in 1952, to Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMonds truce on the climb in 1986 when they crossed the line arm in arm, to Geraint Thomass emphatic win in 2018 when he became the first Welshman to win Le Tour, the climb is rich with stories.Image: Offside. [1/5]Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 20 - Belfort to Le Markstein Fellering - France - July 22, 2023 Team Jumbo-Visma's Jonas Vingegaard wearing the yellow jersey crosses the finish line after . Stage 3/July 3: Amorebieta-Etxano-Bayonne (120 miles) Flat Neutralized Start: 7 a.m. Or sign up for one year for just 49 $79 59, Try your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1. The first climbing test is the Cte de Domancy, the foundation of Bernard Hinault's legendary World Championship success in 1980. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, Pool), Denmarks Jonas Vingegaard, wearing the overall leaders yellow jersey, toasts champagne with teammates during the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 115 kilometers (71.5 miles) with start in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Please refresh the page and try again. Andthis much we know at least: on one of the Tours most emblematic summits and with one of the most prestigious stage wins of this years race at stake, neither Vingegaard nor Pogaar, the two top favourites, are likely to be holding back. But the pair also wanted to serve up a Ventoux stage with a difference, and theyve achieved that objective by proposing the first-ever double ascent of this iconic and infamous peak. In stark contrast to yesterdays visit to the Jura Mountains, which featured just the one climb, this stage in the Chablais region of the Alps has a total of four mountains ranked either hors or one category, more than any other stage in the Tour. In a similar way to Alpe dHuez, these are very flat on the apex of the corners and the ramps between them are steep, which can break the rhythm of grimpeurs-rouleurs such as Geraint Thomas and Tom Dumoulin and, as a result, give the pure climbers a useful edge. When is the 2023 Tour de France? Start time, how to watch, route, and The action starts Friday with a summit finish atop the Grand Colombier, a long, steep climb in the Jura mountains that was first used as summit finish in 2020on a stage won by Pogaar. SUBSCRIBE TO CYCLING WEEKLY AND DON'T MISS OUT! Heres how it works. (Groupama-FDJ) is determined to secure a stage win and expressed confidence in his chances on this stage after taking a slightly easier day on the Grand Colombier. Tour de France 2023 stage guide - Schedule and key dates as Tadej The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox! Stage 1 starts and ends in Bilbao, with a hilly finale that should yield an intense battle to win the Tours first yellow jersey. Stage 1: Bilbao to Bilbao, 182km The 2023 Tour de France starts outside Bilbao's iconic Guggenheim Museum, and winds north to the Bay of Biscay coastline before returning to the city. From Saint-Gervais to Courchevel, they have to tackle 166 km with no less than 5,000 metres of vertical . With so much cycling history containing in almost every metre of the road that loops its way upwards around this extinct (or hopefully extinct) volcano, the Puy de Dmes re-entrance onto the Tour stage was always going to provide a nostalgia wave for cyclings past with a capital n. If the GC positions in the race havent already been decided by this point, the Hautacam could set the stage for an enthralling final mountain battle among the yellow jersey contenders. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. PUBLISHED: July 23, 2023 at 2:32 p.m. | UPDATED: July 24, 2023 at 3:10 a.m. Show Caption. The Dane is now seven minutes and 35 seconds clear in the overall lead, and looks very likely to win his second consecutive . Jonas Vingegaard to win Tour de France again as Pogacar takes stage 20. During the opening week, there are stages that will favour the puncheurs, four that will suit the sprinters, and the first of two mid-length time trials. Beginning in Sorgues, just to the north of Avignon, the stage tracks eastwards to Apt, turning northwards there to Saint-Saturnin-ls-Apt and the 9.3km ascent of the Col de la Liguire. A little like the Tourmalet, the ascent to Luz-Ardiden begins comparatively tamely. Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard at the 2023 Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images) After 35 years off the grid, it's safe to say the much-anticipated return of the Puy de Dme to the . We'll no doubt see his team-mate Ruben Guerreiro in the break too, given his interest in the king of the mountains points so far in this race. The 1,465 metre dormant volcano, located in the heart of the Massif Central will provide a horrific test of strength and endurance at the end of stage nine. Tour de France 2023: Matej Mohoric wins stage 19 in photo finish A gruelling Alpine weekend draws to a close with a 180 kilometre long test which concludes on the slopes of Mont Blanc. Lastincluded in the race in 2019, when the 2022La Flche Wallonne winner Dylan Teuns took victory, La Super Planche des Belles Filles is well suited to the punchier climbers. Tour de France: Vingegaard the champion again as Meeus sprints to stage Many of the riders in the bunch will know this climb well from training rides around their homes in Andorra, and many others will have tackled it in the Vuelta a Espaa, most recently in 2018, when it featured twice on the penultimate stage, when Simon Yates sealed overall victory. Before they reach the Hautacam, the riders will have already had a taste of the toughestPyrenean climbs as they will have passed the Col d'Aubisque (16.4km, 7.1%) and Col de Spandelles (10.3km, 8.3%) earlier in the stage. Its worth remembering that while the Puys official average gradient of 7.8% doesnt sound too bad, thats because, in one Hors Categorie-classified climb,the organisers have actually included two ascents and a short, easier 3.6-kilometre section between the two.
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