The opening stage of the Tour is usually a calm affair, a chance for everyone to ease into the race for yellow, but the organisers in Bilbao had other ideas with five categorised climbs on the first stage. The good news? There are five more on Sunday.
The Cat. 2 and iconic Alto de Jaizkibel, the focal point of Clasica San Sebastian, arrives with 16km remaining, meaning it is set to be another day that favours the puncheurs. Indeed, a stage profile like this would normally have Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) written all over it, but his sub-par showing on Saturday suggests that the victory will go elsewhere.
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) took four seconds on defending champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) courtesy of time bonuses on Stage 1. Will he be tempted to launch on the final climb and take the fight to the Dane?
How can I watch the 2023 Tour de France on TV and live stream?
Rob Hatch and Carlton Kirby will be leading things in the commentary box, with Sean Kelly, Lloyd, Blythe and McEwen for company, while Philippe Gilbert, Alberto Contador, Jens Voigt and Blythe will be bringing fans closer to the action from the back of the motorbike during the race.
Tour de France 2023 TV and live stream schedule, plus route details
Stage | Date | Start / Finish | Distance | Breakaway on-air time |
Stage 1 | Sat July 1 | Bilbao – Bilbao | 182km (Hills) | 12:00 |
Stage 2 | Sun July 2 | Vitoria-Gasteiz – San Sebastian | 209km (Hills) | 12:00 |
Stage 3 | Mon July 3 | Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne | 185km (Flat) | 12:45 |
Stage 4 | Tue July 4 | Dax – Nogaro Circuit | 182km (Flat) | 12:45 |
Stage 5 | Wed July 5 | Pau – Laruns | 165km (Mountains) | 12:45 |
Stage 6 | Thu July 6 | Tarbes – Cauterets | 145km (Mountains) | 13:00 |
Stage 7 | Fri July 7 | Mont de Marsan – Bordeaux | 170km (Flat) | 13:00 |
Stage 8 | Sat July 8 | Libourne – Limoges | 201km (Hills) | 12:15 |
Stage 9 | Sun July 9 | Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dome | 184km (Mountains) | 13:00 |
Rest day | Mon July 10 | – | – | – |
Stage 10 | Tue Jul 11 | Parc Vulcania – Issoire | 167km (Hills) | 12:45 |
Stage 11 | Wed Jul 12 | Clermont Ferrand – Moulins | 180km (Flat) | 12:45 |
Stage 12 | Thu July 13 | Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais | 169km (Hills) | 12:45 |
Stage 13 | Fri July 14 | Chatillon-Sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier | 138km (Mountains) | 13.30 |
Stage 14 | Sat July 15 | Annemasse – Morzine | 152km (Mountains) | 12:45 |
Stage 15 | Sun July 16 | Les Gets – Saint Gervais | 180km (Mountains) | 12:45 |
Rest day | Mon July 17 | – | – | – |
Stage 16 | Tue July 18 | Passy – Combloux | 22km (ITT) | 12.45 |
Stage 17 | Wed July 19 | Saint Gervais – Courchevel | 166km (Mountains) | 12.00 |
Stage 18 | Thu July 20 | Moutiers – Bourg en Bresse | 186km (Hills) | 13.00 |
Stage 19 | Fri July 21 | Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny | 173km (Flat) | 13.00 |
Stage 20 | Sat July 22 | Belfort – Le Markstein | 133km (Mountains) | 13.00 |
Stage 21 | Sun July 23 | Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris Champs-Elysees | 115km (Flat) | 16.00 |
Stage 2 profile video
Stage 2 profile and route map: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Saint-Sebastien
Tour de France 2023 route map
![https://sportsglitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3726469.jpg](https://sportsglitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3726469.jpg)
Who’s riding at the Tour de France?
Vingegaard and Pogacar will lead the field at the Tour, while there will also be plenty of interest in Cavendish’s bid to break Merckx’s record.
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Source: Euro Sports