tour de france stage bonus points

Official games

2023 Edition

• Stage winners
• All the videos

Tour Culture

• Commitments
• key figures
• Sporting Stakes
• "Maillot Jaune" Collection
• The jerseys

TOTAL: 3492 km

This will be the first Grand Départ in Italy and the 26th that’s taken place abroad  First finale in Nice. Due to the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris, the race will not finish in the French capital for the first time.

Two time trials. 25 + 34 = 59km in total, the second of them taking place on the final Monaco>Nice stage. This will be the first time the race has seen a finale of this type for 35 years, the last occasion being the famous Fignon - LeMond duel in 1989.

Apennines (Italy), the Italian and French Alps, Massif Central and Pyrenees will be the mountain ranges on the 2024 Tour route.

The number of countries visited in 2024: Italy, San Marino, Monaco and France. Within France, the race will pass through 7 Regions and 30 departments.

The number of bonus points 8, 5 and 2 bonus seconds go to the first three classified riders, featuring at strategic points along the route (subject to approval by the International Cycling Union)these will have no effect on the points classification. Bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds will be awarded to the first three classified riders at road stage finishes.

Out of a total of 39, the locations or stage towns that are appearing on the Tour map for the first time . In order of appearance: Florence, Rimini, Cesenatico, Bologna, Piacenza, Saint-Vulbas, Gevrey-Chambertin, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, Évaux-les-Bains, Gruissan, Superdévoluy, Col de la Couillole.

The number of sectors on white roads during stage nine, amounting to 32km in total .

The number of stages: 8 flat, 4 hilly, 7 mountain (with 4 summit finishes at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, Plateau de Beille, Isola 2000, Col de la Couillole), 2 time trials and 2 rest days.

The number of riders who will line up at the start of the Tour, divided into 22 teams of 8 riders each.

The height of the summit of the Bonette pass in the Alps, the highest tarmac road in France, which will be the “roof” of the 2024 Tour.

The total vertical gain during the 2024 Tour de France.

PRIZE MONEY

A total of 2,3 million euros will be awarded to the teams and riders including € 500,000 to the final winner of the overall individual classification .

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Tour de France Guide

Here’s the 2023 Tour de France guide starting with the profiles of every stage with a quick summary of the day’s course.

There’s also the race rules like time bonuses, the points scale for the green and polka-dot jerseys, time cuts and more in case you need to look them up during July, just remember inrng.com/tour …or bookmark it .

Route Summary With the start in the Basque Country the race visits the Pyrenees but can’t go to deep into the mountains too soon for fear of revealing the GC contest too soon. Instead the Massif Central, the Jura, the Alps and then the Vosges all supply plenty of climbing, a record amount of top-rated climbs say the organisers and while this label is subjective, it is a certainly vertical vintage for the climbers, there’s only one short time trial and that’s hilly.

There are nods to history, the Tour will revive the old stories for the Puy de Dôme but its inclusion is all about reviving the location rather evoking black-and-white film reels. The Tourmalet is arguably the only other legendary climb en route, the Grand Colombier and Loze are tough but they’re “new” finds.

There are eight sprint stages but that’s at the most and there’s variety among them from motor racing circuits to uphill finishes.

The Jerseys

Yellow : the most famous one, the maillot jaune , it is awarded to the rider with the shortest overall time for all the stages added together, the rider who has covered the course faster than anyone else. First awarded in 1919, it is yellow because the race was organised by the newspaper L’Auto which was printed on yellow paper. Today it is sponsored by LCL, a bank.

There are time bonuses of 10-6-4 seconds for the finish of each stage except the time trials. There are also 8-5-2 seconds at the bonus sprints marked “B” in yellow on the profiles above on Stages 2,5,12,14 and 17.

Green : the points jersey, which tends to reward the sprinters. Points are awarded at the finish line and at one intermediate point in the stage and the rider with the most points wears the jersey. It is sponsored by Skoda, a car manufacturer.

• Flat stages (Stages 2,3,4,7,8,11,18,19,21) 50-30-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3 and 2 points for the first 15 riders
• Hilly finish / Medium mountain stages (Stages 1,9,10,12,13): 30-25-22-19-17-15-13-11-9-7-6- 5-4-3-2 points
• Mountain Stages + individual TT (Stages 5,6,14,15,16,17,20) : 20-17-15-13-11- 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points
• Intermediate sprints: 20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points

Polka dot : also known as the “King of the Mountains” jersey, points are awarded at the top of categorised climbs and mountain passes, with these graded from the easier 4th category to the hors catégorie climbs which are so hard they are off the scale. In reality these gradings are subjective. Again the rider with the most points wears the jersey. It is sponsored by Leclerc, a supermarket.

• Hors Catégorie double (Col de la Loze): 40-30-24-20-16-12-8-4 points
• Hors Catégorie (5 in total): 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-2 points
• Category 1 climbs (13): 10-8-6-4-2-1 points
• Category 2 (10): 5-3-2-1 points
• Category 3 (23): 2-1 points
• Category 4 (17): 1 point

White : for the best young rider, this is awarded on the same basis as the yellow jersey, except the rider must be born after 1 January 1998, ie aged 25 or under. It is sponsored by Krys, a retail chain of opticians

Timekeeping Three second rule : normally a one second gap on the finish line is needed to separate groups in a finish but for Stages 3,4,7,8,11,18,19 and 21, the likely sprint stages, three seconds is needed for a split in the field. The three kilometre rule doesn’t apply on Stages 6,9,13,15 and 17.

Stages are given a coefficient rating from 1-6, look up the stage’s rating in the table above. Then see the average speed for the day’s winner and look up the corresponding line below to calculate the time cut.

• Each day on a normal stage there’s €11,000 for the winner, €5,500 for second place and a decreasing scale down to a modest €300 for 20th place
• For the final overall classification in Paris, first place brings in €500,000 and the Sèvres porcelain “omnisports trophy”, awarded “in the name of the Presidency of the French Republic”. The full breakdown is €500,000 for first place, €200,000 for second place, €100,000 for third place and then €70,000, €50,000, €23,000, €11,500, €7,600, €4,500, €3,800, €3,000, €2,700, €2,500, €2,100, €2,000 €1,500, €1,300, €1,200 and €1,100 for 19th place. €1,000 for 20th-160th overall

There are other pots of money available in the race:

• €500 a day to whoever wears the yellow jersey
• €300 for the other jersey holders
• €25,000 for the final winner of the green and polka dot jerseys, €15,000 for second place, €10,000 for third place, €4,000, €3,500, €2,500, and €2,000 for eighth in the competition
• €20,000 for the final winner of the white jersey
• There’s also money for the first three in the intermediate sprint each day: €1,500, €1000 and €500
• The climbs have cash too with the first three over an hors catégorie climb earning €800, €450 and €300 and lesser sums for lesser climbs down to €200 for winning a 4th category climb
• The highest point in the race sees a prize when on Stage 17 the Henri Desgrange prize is awarded at the Col de La Loze and is worth €5,000
• the Jacques Goddet prize is also €5,000 for the first over the Tourmalet on Stage 6
• The “most combative” prize is awarded and worth €2,000 each day, the “Super combative” prize is awarded in Paris and the winner collects €20,000.
• There’s also a team prize with €2,800 awarded each day to the leading team on the overall, €50,000 for the final winners in Paris. Note the team prize is calculated by adding the time of the best three riders each day rather than the best three on GC. For example if a team has riders A, B and C make the winning break one day then their times for the stage are taken and added together. If riders X, Y and Z on the same team go up the road the next day, their times are taken. So it’s the times of a team’s best three riders each day as opposed to the best three riders overall.

The total prize pot is €2,581,029, meagre for an event of this scale but remember that unlike, say tennis or golf, pro cyclists are salaried and paid bonuses by their employers the teams. So prize money instead is a nice bonus on the side. Win a Tour stage and a rider might add a zero onto the salary, maybe more and so the race creates value rather than pays it. Crucially prize money is shared around the team (as well as levied and taxed) rather than pocketed by the winner, it’s possible the actual prize winner sees 5-10% of the headline sum . In addition, every team that starts gets paid a participation fee of €51,243 to cover expenses. And should a squad make it to Paris with six or more riders they stand to collect an additional €1,600 bonus for each rider.

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Tour de France Guide

Regulations of the tour.

Overall ranking

The general overall individual time ranking is established by adding together the times achieved by each rider in the 21 stages.

Points ranking

The individual points ranking is obtained by adding together the points recorded in the individual rankings for each stage, according to the following tables:

Best climber ranking

The best overall climber ranking is established by adding together the points obtained on all passes or climbs, based on the following tables:

Summits that lie within the second half of a stage, and that are over 2,000 metres, earn double the points for the mountains classification.

In addition to points for the mountains classification, certain summits bring time bonuses for the general classification: each of these locations is known as a "Bonus Point".

Irrespective of the category of the climb, a Bonus Point offers -8, -5 and -3 seconds to the first 3 at the summit

Young rider ranking

The young rider classification is reserved for riders aged 25 or under. The one that is best ranked in the general classification on time is the daily leader of the young riders. At the end of the last stage, he is declared winner of the young rider classification.

Ranking by team

The general overall team ranking is established by adding together the three best individual times of each team in all stages.

Combative ranking

In games, by contrast to reality, the most combative is not designated by a jury. It is the rider who has cycled the most kilometres at the head of the race. The most combative is the rider who has cycled the most during a Tour de France.

Stage rankings

At each stage (apart from the time trial stages), the first 3 win time bonuses: -10, -6 and -4 seconds.

How to Not Finish Last in Tour de France Fantasy

Rule your mini-league, or at least avoid ignominious defeat, with these strategies.

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Don’t be Lee. Sure, he was able to carve nine hours off his sentence by scarfing a bunch of waffles, but it’s far better to just…not finish last.

There are several fantasy games around the Tour, all with different rules, and some of them get a little arcane. We’re focusing on two: the official fantasy Tour from the organizers , and VeloGames’s long-running fantasy competition, simply called VeloGames 2023 for trademark reasons.

How Tour de France Fantasy Works

Both leagues require you pick a certain mix of riders for a balanced team; you can’t go all sprinters, for example.

VeloGames is the simpler of the two: you have a 100-point budget to pick nine riders (which, after the UCI reduced official team sizes to eight, is one more than the teams in the actual race get). Each rider scores points based on his ride on each stage, including finish placing, time in the breakaway (if he joined one), any King of the Mountain (KOM) and intermediate sprint points scored, and overall standings in each of the various jersey competitions.

You also earn points when a teammate of your chosen rider does well. That all sounds complicated, but it’s pretty basic: You pick nine riders you think will find success individually or through their teams, and you’re set with them the whole Tour. There’s no substitutions, even if a rider drops out. If you want to set your team and not check standings daily, this is your league.

The official game from the Tour seems similar on its face: You have a budget (120 stars, which is the currency) to pick eight riders. There are similar points scales for stage finish, KOM, and sprint points, and position in various jersey competitions . You can score points in the combativity classification, but only for the rider awarded each day’s prize; there are no breakaway or teammate points.

The big differences from Velo to the official Tour de France fantasy game:

• You can swap riders midrace, for 50 credits.
• You can designate one rider each stage as your Stage Winner Bonus—all points that rider scores that day are doubled.

That requires you to change your designation each stage. If you want to tinker with your lineup like you do with weekly picks for fantasy football, the ASO game is your huckleberry.

(If you really want to nerd out, ProCyclingStats ’s game has more intricate rules and an arbitrage-like theme to it, where you buy and sell riders as they appreciate or depreciate in value. It’s cool, but complex.)

Broad Advice for Tour de France Fantasy Games

Don’t skimp on your gc guy.

The way both games are designed, the favorites for the overall will cost the most points. That’s because it’s difficult, albeit not impossible, to win your mini-league without picking the overall race winner .

We can’t tell you who that’s going to be, but what we can say is this is the one place where you should spend whatever points you think will get you the best possible choice, a.k.a. the rider you really think is going to win. Don’t try to get cute and budget points picking who you think will finish in second and third place. The math of the games is not kind.

Go reliable and versatile on sprinters

This is one place where consistent finishes can outpoint a winner over time. The cumulative point totals with a guy who’s regularly hitting top-five finishes is higher than someone who wins once or twice and is out of the top 10 on other stages.

Good picks here include Wout van Aert, Jasper Philipsen, Mads Pedersen, Biniam Girmay, and Fabio Jakobsen, Julian Alaphilippe, all of whom are contenders for the green jersey and are capable in both field sprints and trickier finishes with small hills.

Don’t get locked in on rider classifications

Because the games are predicated on balanced rosters, each assigns riders to distinct categories: all-arounder/ general classification , climber, sprinter, etc. But that may not match up with their own goals, or your view of how the race will unfold. Julian Alaphilippe may also listed as a contender (because he’s French), but his fifth-place overall at the 2019 Tour notwithstanding, he’s actually a stage hunter : a climber who can sprint.

As you pick, keep your goals and predictions in mind—if you think a climber’s going to win the overall and he’s not listed in the All Arounder group, pick him anyway, and use an All Arounder pick for different purposes.

Check your lineup against confirmed rosters the night before

With COVID still looming, it’s entirely possible someone will positive-test right out of a start spot. Make sure the guys you’re racing are actually in the race. It’s not official, but the most accurate roster list is on ProCyclingStats .

VeloGames Strategies

Use a “barbell” strategy to boost points around your gc contener.

This strategy leverages VeloGames’s teammate points awards. Option 1: pick a low-cost teammate who won’t score his own points, but could be a goldmine of points based on his team leaders. This is a good strategy to fill out a roster if you don’t have a lot of points left after picking GC riders and sprinters. A good option here would be someone like UAE-Emirates Vegard Staeke Langen, a guy doing the thankless grunt work for high-profile team leaders.

Option 2: Pick a versatile, higher-pointed teammate who can also get his own results. A good option here would be Jumbo’s van Aert, a threat in TTs and sprints. Your best bets are teams able to win multiple stages of different types, like Jumbo and UAE Team Emirates, but only if they fit your GC strategy.

Hedge your sprint pick

Fully a third of this year’s stages are, on paper, likely sprint finishes. And breakaway success on flatter stages of the Tour has been abysmal the past decade. The teams are simply too good at timing the catch. So sprinters are going to play a big role this year. Flat stages favor pure sprinters like Caleb Ewan and Mark Cavendish . But more versatile types, like van Aert, merit a look because they can score points in a variety of scenarios.

The best strategy may be to hedge: pick one higher-cost sprinter of one type, and a lower-point sprinter of another as your wild-card selection. Just remember riders who drop out will still keep all points scored to that stage, but are not eligible for teammate points after that.

Roll the dice on breakaways

Breaks are a fool’s game to try to predict, with few exceptions (hello wild card teams). Your best bet this Tour is to go one of two ways with affordable options: with time-trial style guys who will give it a go on transitional stages (neither flat nor mountainous) and also have a shot in the the TT itself, or climber types who will have their shot in the uphill finishes.

In either case, pick from teams that are at the race to focus on stage wins. TT-style riders who are promising selections are Kasper Asgreen and Victor Campenaerts. Climber-break specialists include Simon Yates and Alexey Lutsenko. Riders like Asgreen, Yates, or Lutsenko are also compelling because their teams have multiple stage-win options, meaning you’ll be better positioned for teammate points.

ASO Tour Fantasy Strategies

Maximize your stage winner bonus with the right roster.

The ASO bonus function is a significant potential point booster. So your team should be tilted toward likely stage winners for various situations. Once you’ve got your GC riders selected, go with versatile breakaway threats, like Alaphilippe. And don’t forget to change your designated rider for different types of stages!

Focus on KOMs

Through a quirk, you get awarded the same points total in fantasy for the two highest categories of climb (HC and Category 1) even though it doesn’t do this in the actual race. And there are 12 Category 1 climbs this year, more than any other category. Many of them will be crossed first by breakaways. So pick a climber you think might target both breaks/stage wins and the KOM competition. A few likely options are Giulio Ciccone, Romain Bardet, and Thibaut Pinot.

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A little bit of information ...

The program for the grand départ of the tour de france 2023.

• Wednesday June 28, 2023 - 9:00 am : opening of the welcome desk and press center at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in Barakaldo
• Friday, June 30, 2023 - 10:00 am to 8:00 pm: opening of the Fan Park at the Parque del Arenal in Bilbao - free entry
• Saturday, July 1, 2023 : Stage 1 - Bilbao > Bilbao
• Sunday, July 2, 2023 : Stage 2 - Vitoria-Gasteiz > Donostia San Sebastian
• Monday, July 3, 2023 : Stage 3 - Amorebieta-Extano > Bayonne

The Tour de France 2023 route on Open Street Maps

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1/ Saturday July 1 - Bilbao 🇪🇸 > Bilbao 🇪🇸 - 182 km

• start : - the start will take place on the Felipe Serrate Kalea in Bilbao (12:30 p.m.) - the actual start is scheduled on the BI-704 , after 11.3 km of the parade route (12:55 p.m.)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Laukiz (3rd category) at km 13.8 - ^ 211 m / 2.2 km at 6.9% - Côte de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (3rd category) at km 67.8 - ^ 286 m / 3.5 km at 7.6% - Col de Morga (4th category) at km 140,9 - ^ 307 m / 3.9 km at 4.1% - Côte de Vivero (2nd category) at km 154.9 - ^ 361 m / 4.2 km at 7.3% - Côte de Pike (3rd category) at km 140.9 - ^ 212 m / 2 km at 10%.
• intermediate sprint : Carlos Gangoiti Kalea in Gernika-Lumo at km 88.2
• bonus sprint : Côte de Pike
• finish : Zumalacárregui Etorbidea / BI-625 in Bilbao at the end of a 150 m straight line at sight / width 6.5 m
• departments crossed : Vizcaya (Spain) from km 0 to km 182
• main towns : Bilbao, Getxo, Bermeo and Gernika-Lumo

2/ Sunday, July 2, 2023 - Vitoria-Gasteiz 🇪🇸 > San Sebastian 🇪🇸 - 208.9 km

• start : - the start will take place on the Mendizabala Area in Vitoria-Gasteiz (12:15pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the N-104 , after 6.7km of the parade route (12:25pm)
• passes and climbs : - Col d'Udana (3rd category) at km 81.3 - ^ 515 m / 4.5 km at 5.1% - Côte d'Aztiria (4th category) at km 87.6 - ^ 572 m / 2.7 km at 5.3% - Côte d'Alkiza (3rd category) at km 140,9 - ^ 324 m / 4.2 km at 5.7% - Gurutze hill (4th category) at km 174.2 - ^ 150 m / 2.6 km at 4.7% - Jaizkibel (2nd category) at km 192.4 - ^ 455 m / 8.1 km at 5.3
• intermediate sprint : N-240 in Legutio at km 40.6
• bonus sprint : Jaizkibel
• finish : Zurriola Hiribidea in San Sebastian at the end of a final straight 550 m at sight / 6 m wide
• Departments crossed : Alava from km 0 to km 53.9, Gipuzcoa from km 58 to km 208.9
• main towns : Vitoria-Gasteiz, Irun, Hondarribia and San Sebastian

3/ Monday, July 3, 2023 - Amorebieta-Extano 🇪🇸 > Bayonne - 187.4 km

• start : - the start will take place on Nafarroa Kalea in Amorebieta-Extano (1:00 p.m.) - the actual start is scheduled on the N-634 , after 6.8 km of the parade route (1:15 p.m.)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Trabukua (3rd category) at km 13.8 - ^ 369 m / 4.1 km at 5.4% - Côte de Milloi (4th category) at km 32.8 - ^ 162 m / 2.3 km at 4.5% - Col d'Itziar (3rd category) at km 70.9 - ^ 212 m / 5.1 km at 4.6% - Côte d'Orioko Benta (3rd category) at km 102 - ^ 316 m / 4.6 km at 6.3
• intermediate sprint : Hondartza Kalea in Deba at km 65.8
• sprint bonus : XXXX à XXXX
• finish : Avenue de l'Aquitaine in Bayonne at the end of a 200 m straight line at sight / width 6.5 m
• Departments crossed : Biscaye from km 0 to km 53.8, Gipuzcoa from km 59 to km 128.8, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) from km 134.1 to km 187.4
• main towns : Amorebieta-Extano, Durango, Zarautz, San Sebastian, Errenteria, Irun, Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne

4/ Tuesday, July 4, 2023 - Dax > Nogarro - 181.8 km

• start - the start will take place on the Place de la Fontaine Chaude in Dax (1:10pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D32 / Route de Candresse , after 4.8 km of the parade route (1:20pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Dému (4th category) at km 154.4 - ^ 218 m / 2 km at 3.5
• intermediate sprint : in front of Notre-Dame des Cyclistes at km 93.6
• finish : on the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro at the end of a 750 m / 9 m wide final straight
• departments crossed : Landes (40) from km 0 to km 93.6 and from km 98.9 to km 181.8, Gers (32) at km 98
• main towns : Dax, Eauze and Nogaro

5/ Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - Pau > Laruns - 162.7 km

• start : - the start will take place in Rue Pierre Bordelongue in Pau (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D802 , after 9.1 km of the parade route (1:25pm)
• passes and climbs : - Col de Soudet (hors catégorie) at km 87.5 - 15.2 km at 7.2% - Col d'Ichère (3e catégorie) at km 124.8 - 4.2 km at 7% - Col de Marie Blanque (1ère catégorie) at km 144.2 - 1.3 km at 5.8%.
• intermediate sprint : D918 at Lanne-en-Barétous at km 48.8
• bonus sprint : Col de Marie Blanque
• finish : D934 at Laruns at the end of a 3.4 km final straight (including 800 m at sight) / width 5.5 m
• departments crossed : Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) from km 0 to km 162.7
• main towns : Pau, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Arette and Laruns

6/ Thursday, July 6, 2023 - Tarbes > Cauterets-Cambasque - 144.9 km

• start : - the start will take place on Place Marcadieu in Tarbes (1:10pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D21 , after 7.6km of the parade route (1:25pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Capvern-les-Bains (3rd category) at km 29.9 - ^ 602 m / 5.6 km at 4.8% - Col d'Aspin (1st category) at km 68.1 - ^ 1490 m / 12 km at 6.5% - Col du Tourmalet (hors catégorie) at km 97.9 - ^ 2115 m / 17.1 km at 7.3% - Cauterets-Cambasque (1st category) at km 144.9 - ^ 1355 m / 16 km at 5.4%.
• intermediate sprint : D929 / Route d'Espagne in Sarrancolin at km 49.2
• finish : Route de Cambasque in Cauterets-Cambasque at the end of a final straight 50 m at sight / width 5 m
• departments crossed : Hautes-Pyrénées (65) from km 0 to km 144.9
• main towns : Tarbes, Arreau, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Pierrefitte-Nestalas and Cauterets

7/ Friday, July 7, 2023 - Mont-de-Marsan > Bordeaux - 169.9 km

• start : - the start will take place on Place Joseph Pancaut in Mont-de-Marsan (1:15pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D53 , after 5.4 km of the parade route (1:30pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Béguey (4th category) at km 131 - ^ 84 m / 1.2 km at 4.4
• intermediate sprint : Route des Landes in Grignols at km 88
• finish : Quai Louis XVIII in Bordeaux at the end of a 2 km final straight (including 400 m at sight) / width 6 m
• departments crossed : Landes (40) from km 0 to km 67.3, Gironde (33) from km 70.3 to km 169.9
• main towns : Mont-de-Marsan, Roquefort, Langon and Bordeaux

8/ Saturday, July 8, 2023 - Libourne > Limoges - 200.7 km

• start : - the start will take place in Rue Roudier in Libourne (12:30 p.m.) - the actual start is scheduled on the D1089 , after 4.8 km of the parade route (12:45 p.m.)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Champs-Romain (3rd category) at km 130.4 - ^ 303 m / 2.8 km at 5.2% - Côte de Masmont (4th category) at km 184.7 - ^ 353 m / 1.3 km at 5.5% - Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (4th category) at km 191.4 - ^ 289 m / 1.2 km at 5.4%.
• intermediate sprint : Route de Royan in Tocane-Saint-Apre at km 79
• finish : Place Jourdan in Limoges at the end of an 800 m final straight (of which 200 m on sight) / width 6.5 m
• departments crossed : Gironde (33) from km 0 to km 30.4, Dordogne (24) from km 30.8 to km 137.2 and to km 145.4 and Haute-Vienne (87) from km 140.8 to km 145.3 and from km 147.4 to km 200.7
• main towns : Libourne, Ribérac and Limoges

9/ Sunday, July 9, 2023 - Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat > Puy de Dôme - 182.4 km

• start : - the start will take place on the Avenue du Champ de Mars in Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat (1:30 pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D13 , after 4.3 km of the parade route (1:45 pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Felletin (4th category) at km 74.8 - ^ 660 m / 2.1 km at 5.2% - Côte de Pontcharraud (4th category) at km 85.7 - ^ 692 m / 1.8 km at 4.6% - Côte de Pontaumur (3rd category) at km 126.2 - ^ 734 m / 3.3 km at 5.3% - Puy de Dôme (outside category) at km 182.4 - ^ 1415 m / 13.3 km at 7.7%.
• intermediate sprint : D222 at Lac de Vassivière at km 30.4
• finish : at the summit of the Puy de Dôme at the end of a 10 m / 4 m wide final straight.
• departments crossed : Haute-Vienne (87) from km 0 to km 37, Creuse (23) from km 38.6 to km 105.1, Puy de Dôme (63) from km 107.9 to km 182.4
• main towns : Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Felletin and Clermont-Ferrand

R1/ Monday, July 10, 2023 - rest in Clermont-Ferrand

10/ tuesday, july 11, 2023 - vulcania > issoire - 167.2 km.

• start : - the start will take place on the Vulcania parking lot (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D942 , after 7.8 km of the parade route (1:20pm)
• passes and climbs : - Col de la Moréno (3rd category) at km 7 - ^ 1065 m / 4.8 km at 4.7% - Col de Guéry (3rd category) at km 27.3 - ^ 1277 m / 7.8 km at 5% - Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (2nd category) at km 66,6 - ^ 1451 m / 6 km at 6.3% - Côte de Saint-Victor-la-Rivière (3rd category) at km 84.3 - ^ 1041 m / 3 km at 5.9% - Côte de la Chapelle-Marcousse (3rd category) at km 138.6 - ^ 980 m / 6.5 km at 5.6
• intermediate sprint : Place Charles de Gaulle, Le Mont-Dore at km 59.9
• finish : Route de Saint-Germain / D716 in Issoire at the end of a 700 m / 6 m wide final straight.
• departments crossed : Puy-de-Dôme (63) from km 0 to km 167.2
• main towns : Murat-le-Quaire, Le Mont-Dore, Chambon-sur-Lac, Murol, Besse and Issoire

11/ Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - Clermont-Ferrand > Moulins - 179.8 km

• start : - the start will take place on Boulevard Desaix in Clermont-Ferrand (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D210 , after 10.3 km of the parade route (1:25pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Chaptuzat-Haut (4th category) at km 31.8 - ^ 490 m / 1.9 km at 5% - Côte du Mercurol (4th category) at km 49.5 - ^ 457 m / 2.9 km at 4.6% - Côte de la Croix Blanche (4th category) at km 118.5 - ^ 292 m / 1.6 km at 5.4
• intermediate sprint : D998 at Lapeyrouse at km 70.5
• finish : Boulevard de Nomazy in Moulins at the end of a 1,300 m final straight (including 300 m at sight) / width 7 m
• departments crossed : Puy-de-Dôme (63) from km 0 to km 44.7 and from km 66.5 to km 74.3, Allier (03) from km 45.4 to km 64.5 and from km 76.5 to km 179.8
• main towns : Clermont-Ferrand, Aigueperse, Ébreuil, Commentry, Néris-les-Bains, Montluçon, Cosne-d'Alier and Moulins

12/ Thursday, July 13, 2023 - Roanne > Belleville-en-Beaujolais - 168.8 km

• start : - the start will take place at the Parking du Scarabée in Roanne (1:05 pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the Roanne , after 10.4 km of the parade route (1:20 pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs (3rd category) at km 20.5 - ^ 633 m / 4.3 km at 5.6% - Col des Écorbans (3rd category) at km 37.9 - ^ 853 m / 2.1 km at 6.9% - Col de la Casse Froide (3rd category) at km 109,9 - ^ 740 m / 5.2 km at 6.1% - Col de la Croix Montmain (2nd category) at km 125 - ^ 737 m / 5.5 km at 6.1% - Col de la Croix Rosier (2nd category) at km 140.4 - ^ 717 m / 5.3 km at 7.6
• intermediate sprint : Rue Chaussée d'Erpent in Régnié-Durette at km 93.3
• bonus sprint : Col de la Croix Rosier
• finish : Avenue de l'Europe / D306 à v at the end of a 400 m / 6 m wide final straight line
• departments crossed : Loire (42) from km 0 to km 13.2 and to km 38, Rhône (69) from km 15.1 to km 37.9 and from km 40.2 to km 76.9 and from km 78.7 to km 168.8, Saône-et-Loire (71) from km 77.8 to km 78.2
• main towns : Roanne, Bourg-de-Thizy, Régnié-Durette and Belleville-en-Beaujolais

13/ Friday, July 14, 2023 - Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne > Grand Colombier - 137.8 km

• start : - the start will take place on Place de la République in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne (1.45pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D2 , after 4.3km of the parade route (1.55pm)
• passes and climbs : - Grand Colombier (out of category) at km 137.8 - ^ 1501 m / 17.4 km at 7.1
• intermediate sprint : Avenue de la Liberté in Hauteville-Lompnes at km 87.3
• finish : D120 at Grand Colombier at the end of a final straight 1400 m (including 400 m at sight) / width 5 m
• departments crossed : Ain (01) from km 0 to km 137.8
• main towns : Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, Villars-les-Dombes, Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Hauteville-Lompnes and Culoz

14/ Saturday, July 15, 2023 - Annemasse > Morzine - 151.8 km

• start : - the start will take place in the Rue des Amoureux in Annemasse (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D1205 , after 8.3 km of the parade route (1:20pm)
• passes and climbs : - Col de Saxel (3rd category) at km 18.7 - ^ 944 m / 4.2 km at 4.6% - Col de Cou (1st category) at km 35.3 - ^ 1116 m / 7 km at 7.4% - Col du Feu (1st category) at km 52,7 - ^ 1117 m / 5.8 km at 7.8% - Col de la Ramaz (1st category) at km 101.6 - ^ 1619 m / 13.9 km at 7.1% - Col de Joux Plane (non-category) at km 139.8 - ^ 1691 m / 11.6 km at 8.5%.
• intermediate sprint : Col de Jambaz (^ 1029 m) at km 65.5
• bonus sprint : Col de Joux Plane
• finish : Place de l'Office de Tourisme in Morzine at the end of a 50 m straight line at sight / width 5.50 m
• departments crossed : Haute-Savoie (74) from km 0 to km 151.8
• main towns : Annemasse, Saint-Jeoire, Taninges, Samoëns and Morzine

15/ Sunday, July 16, 2023 - Les Gets > Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc - 179 km

• start : - the start will take place in Rue du Centre in Les Gets (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D902 , after 11.6km of the parade route (1:20pm)
• passes and climbs : - Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (1st category) at km 82.8 - ^ 1157 m / 7.2 km at 7.3% - Col de la Croix Fry (1st category) at km 124.5 - ^ 1477 m / 11.3 km at 7% - Col des Aravis (3rd category) at km 133,3- ^ 1487 m / 4.4 km at 5.8% - Côte des Amerands (2nd category) at km 170.6 - ^ 888 m / 2.7 km at 10.9% - Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc (1st category) at km 179 - ^ 1372 m / 7 km at 7.7%.
• intermediate sprint : Route de Thônes à Bluffy at km 72
• finish : Route du Bettex in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc at the end of a final straight 50 m at sight / width 5 m
• departments crossed : Haute-Savoie (74) from km 0 to km 133.3 and from km 148.5 to km 179, Savoie (73) from km 137.7 to km 147.4
• main towns : Les Gets, Cluses, Bonneville, La Roche-sur-Foron, Faverges, Praz-sur-Arly, Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

R2/ Monday July 17, 2023 - rest in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc

16/ tuesday, july 18, 2023 - passy > combloux - individual time trial - 22.4 km.

• start : - the launch ramp will be in l 'Avenue Joseph Thoret in Passy (the first rider will start at 1:05 p.m.; first minute by minute, then every 1'30" and finally 2 minutes by 2 minutes; the last start is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.)
• timing points : - Passy Chef-Lieu at km 7.1 - Domancy at km 16.1 - Côte de Domancy at km 18.9
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Domancy (2nd category) at km 18.9 - Passy
• finish : Route de Megève / D1212 in Combloux at the end of a 120 m straight final stretch on sight / width 5 m
• departments crossed : Haute-Savoie (74) from km 0 to km 22.4
• main towns : Passy, Sallanches and Combloux

17/ Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - Saint-Gervais > Courchevel - 165.7 km

• start : - the start will take place at the Viaduc de Saint-Gervais in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (12:20 p.m.) - the actual start is scheduled on the D909 , after 3.5 km of the parade route (12:30 p.m.)
• passes and climbs : - Col des Saisies (1st category) at km 28.4 - ^ 1650 m / 13.4 km at 5.1% - Cormet de Roselend (1st category) at km 66.7 - ^ 1968 m / 19.9 km at 6% - Côte de Longefoy (2nd category) at km 105.7 - ^ 1174 m / 6.6 km at 7.5% - Col de la Loze (non-category) at km 159.1 - ^ 2304 m / 28.1 km at 6%.
• intermediate sprint : Avenue des Sports in Beaufort at km 46
• bonus sprint : Col de la Loze
• finish : Altiport in Courchevel at the end of a 370 m final straight, 30 m of which on sight / width 7 m
• departments crossed : Haute-Savoie (74) from km 0 to km 9.9, Savoie (73) from km 13.4 to km 165.7
• main towns : Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Megève, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Moûtiers, Salins-les-Thermes, Bride-les-Bains, Méribel-les-Allues and Courchevel

18/ Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Moûtiers > Bourg-en-Bresse - 184.9 km

• start : - the start will take place on the Square de la Liberté in Moûtiers (1:05pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D990 , after 16.2 km of the parade route (1:35pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte de Chambéry-le-Haut (4th category) at km 62.1 - ^ 349 m / 1.6 km at 4.1% - Côte de Boissieu (4th category) at km 105.2 - ^ 362 m / 2.4 km at 4.7%.
• intermediate sprint : Avenue de l'Europe in Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey at km 132.9
• finish : Boulevard Charles de Gaulle / D1075 in Bourg-en-Bresse at the end of a final 750 m straight at sight / width 6.5 m
• departments crossed : Savoie (73) from km 0 to km 89.2, Ain (01) from km 91.6 to km 184.9
• main towns : Moûtiers, Albertville, Chambéry, Belley, Ambérieu-en-Bugey and Bourg-en-Bresse

19/ Friday, July 21, 2023 - Moirans-en-Montagne > Poligny - 172.8 km

• start : - the start will take place in Rue du Collège in Moirans-en-Montagne (1:15pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D470 , after 7.7km of the parade route (1:30pm)
• passes and climbs : - Côte du Bois de Lionge (4th category) at km 23.7 - ^ 686 m / 1.9 km at 5.7% - Côte d'Ivory (3rd category) at km 144.7 - ^ 602 m / 2.3 km at 5.9%.
• intermediate sprint : Route de Champagnole in Ney at km 97.7
• finish : Route de Dole / D905 in Poligny at the end of a 7 km / 6.5 m wide final straight.
• departments crossed : Jura (39) from km 0 to km 172.8
• main towns : Moirans-en-Montagne, Arinthod, Orgelet, Pont-de-Poitte, Champagnole, Salins-les-Bains, Mesnay, Arbois and Poligny

20/ Saturday, July 22, 2023 - Belfort > Le Markstein - 135.5 km

• start : - the start will take place in Rue de l'Ancien Théatre in Belfort (1:30 pm) - the actual start is scheduled on the D5 , after 6.6 km of the parade route (1:45 pm)
• passes and climbs : - Ballon d'Alsace (2nd category) at km 24 - ^ 1173 m / 11.5 km at 5.2% - Col de la Croix des Moinats (2nd category) at km 56.5 - ^ 891 m / 5.2 km at 7% - Col de Grosse Pierre (2nd category) at km 64.9 - ^ 944 m / 3,2 km at 8% - Col de la Schlucht (3rd category) at km 79.4 - ^ 1139 m / 4.3 km at 5.4% - Petit Ballon (1st category) at km 108.2 - ^ 1163 m / 9.3 km at 8.1% - Col du Platzerwasel (1st category) at km 125.3 - ^ 1193 m / 7.1 km at 8.4
• intermediate sprint : Rue d'Alsace in Fresse-sur-Moselle at km 37.2
• finish : D27 at Le Markstein at the end of a 170 m straight finish at sight / width 6 m
• departments crossed : Territoire de Belfort (90) from km 0 to km 24, Vosges (88) from km 33.1 to km 79.4, Haut-Rhin (68) from km 92.5 to km 133.5
• main towns : Belfort, Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, Fresse-sur-Moselle, Le Thillot, Cornimont, La Bresse, Munster and Sondernach

21/ Sunday, July 23, 2023 - Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines > Paris Champs-Elysées - 133.5 km

• start : - the start will take place on the Place de la Paix Céleste , in front of the Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (in the commune of Montigny-le-Bretonneux) (4:30 p.m.) - the actual start is scheduled on the D11 , after 3 km of the parade route (4:40 p.m.)
• passes and climbs : - Côte du Pavé des Gardes (4th category) at km 42.8 - ^ 180 m / 1.3 km at 6.5
• intermediate sprint : top of the Champs-Elysées in Paris (3rd passage) at km 75.1
• finish : Champs-Elysées in Paris at the end of a 700 m / 8 m wide final straight line
• departments crossed : Yvelines (78) from km 0 to km 39.2, Hauts-de-Seine (92) from km 41.1 to km 43.6, Paris (75) from km 48.8 to km 115.1
• main towns : Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), Fontenay-le-Fleury, Les Clayes-sous-Bois, Plaisir, Élancourt, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Voisins-le-Bretonneux, Guyancourt, Versailles, Viroflay, Chaville, Meudon, Issy-les-Moulineaux and Paris.

The Tour de France 2023 route in Google Earth

Thanks for all your work over the years! Really enjoy it to have all the race routes available in Google Earth.

Thank you very much for this. I am looking forward to it every year.

I was looking forward to open the kmz-file in Google Earth, but in a full hour of trying to download it, I din't succeed, nor by clicking the link nor by copy-pasting the url in a new window. I'll try again later.

I created a public iCal calendar based on this website and links to all stages. https://short.thover.com/?ID=863

Thanks again, Thomas! Like the others, each year I look forward to downloading the KMZ file.

Downloading the kmz file doesn't work, neither does the alternative link

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La Vuelta España Femenina

Eschborn-frankfurt, spin the district: hapeville, giro d'italia, gp morbihan (coupe de france), lagrange cycling classic, uci mtb fort william, tro bro leon (coupe de france), spin the district: college park, tour de hongrie, circuit de wallonie (exterioo cycling c, uci bmx freestyle wcup - fise, 4 jours de dunkerque, vuelta a burgos féminas, uci mtb bielsko bialia poland, everything you need to know about the 2021 tour de france mountains, don't let the three summit finishes fool you. this year's tour packs no shortage of serious mountain tests. find out the details here..

The 108 th edition of the Tour de France kicks off on June 26. The race will travel 3,383 kilometers across windswept plains, and mountain peaks from the seaside town of Brest, Brittany, to the finish in Paris. 

Join  PRO  to watch the  2021 Tour de France  live and on demand in Canada on FloBikes. Exclusive highlights and content will be available to our worldwide audience!

The 2021 route will likely favor a powerhouse GC rider thanks to its nearly doubled time trial kilometers, up from 36km in 2020 to 58km in 2021. While there are only three summit finishes in this year's Tour, the mountains the race will tackle are some of France's biggest and highest. 

This year the peloton will ride higher than in previous editions reaching an altitude of 2,408m on the Port d’Envalira on stage 14, with a total of 27 climbs, down from a record 29 in 2020. 

Summit time bonuses, which were introduced in 2019, return this summer. General classification bonus seconds will be strategically placed on six climbs throughout the Tour. The first time bonus opportunity falls on the first ascent of the Mûr-de-Bretagne during stage two. The top three riders will be awarded 8, 5, and 2 seconds respectively. These bonus seconds reliably draw out GC contenders, giving way to thrilling mid-race battles on key climbs.

The last two editions of the Tour have been won with slim margins of about a minute, with Tadej Pogačar winning with a gap of 59 seconds last season, the closest margin since Greg Lemond’s 8-second win in 1989 over Laurent Fignon. 

Besides being the youngest Tour de France champion in 111 years at the age of 22, Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates, also took home the Best Young Rider and King of the Mountain classifications in 2020.

Bonus Point Summits:

• Stage 2: Mûr-de-Bretagne, first passage
• Stage 7: Signal d’Uchon
• Stage 8: Col de la Colombière
• Stage 11: Mont Ventoux, second passage
• Stage 14: Col de Saint-Louis
• Stage 15: Col de Beixalis

Overall, there are fewer category 2, 3, and 4 climbs in the Tour's six major mountain stages. KOM points are doubled for the three summit finishes on stages 9, 17, and 18. 

While stage 7 is not considered a mountain stage, the riders will face Le Signal d’Uchon, a never before used 5.7 kilometer long climb which lies 230 kilometers into the Tour's longest stage. Despite not being listed amongst the Tour's mountain stages, the climb should see general classification interest due to the bonus seconds on offer. 

The iconic Mont Ventoux will be featured twice for the first time in its history on stage 11 for what is expected to be an epic battle for the GC. 

Read on to discover the six major mountain stages of the 2021 Tour de France.

Stage 8: Oyonnax – Le Grand-Bornand, 151km

The Tour's first mountain stage begins in Oyonnax, seven years after Tony Gallopin's 2014 solo to victory. The stage comes on the heels of the 248 kilometer stage seven and kicks off an alpine double header. 

On stage eight, the peloton will face the first iconic climb of the Tour – Le Col de Colombière. French fans will recall the finish in Le Grand-Bornand, where current World Champion, Julian Alaphilippe soared to his first Tour de France stage victory of his career in 2018, winning the stage by over a minute ahead of Ion Izagirre .

This time around, the route will feature two preceding climbs starting with the Côte de Mont-Saxonnex at 960m of elevation, 5.7 km long with a max gradient of 8.3%. Followed by the Col de Romme that is 8.8km in length with the steepest gradients of the day at 8.9%, before they face the 7.5km long, Col de Colombière. The trio of Alpine climbs take place all within 20km before the descent to the finish in Le Grand Bornand. 

Stage 9: Cluses – Tignes, 145km

The Tour makes good on its promise to return to Tignes, the mountain town which the Tour failed to reach on stage 19 of the 2019 Tour de France. The stage, which was cut short due to a hail storm and land slides, put Egan Bernal into the yellow jersey, thanks to his attack on the Col de l’Iseran. He would go on to become the first Latin American to win the Tour de France.

Stage nine is the first of three summit finishes in this year's Tour. It is followed by the first rest day, so do not expect to see anyone saving their legs in the finale. 

After a flat 20 opening kilometers the first of five categorized climbs set for the day – Côte de Domancy – which will likely see a breakaway should establish. 

The Col de Pré will see its second inclusion of the Tour, following a 17.5km descent to Beaufort before the road pitches up again. The final ascent up to Tignes concludes at 2,113m after a long, 21km climb. The average gradient is set at 5.6%, with those fighting for victory and the precious bonus seconds will have a respite halfway up the climb where it flattens out for roughly 2.5km. The total elevation gain for the stage will be 4,400m.

Stage 11: Sorgues – Malaucène, 199km (Mont Ventoux)

From its first inclusion in the tour in 1951 to the tragic loss of Tom Simpson in 1967, Eddie Merckx and Marco Pantani’s stage wins, to the controversial crash and run up the summit involving Chris Froome in 2016, the legendary ‘Giant of Provence’ will make its mark once in the Tour once again in 2021. 

The peloton will ascend Mont Ventoux twice on stage 11 for the first time in Tour history as a way for the Tour to salute the local government that refurnished the summit specifically for cyclists. 

The punishing winds and second ascent from Bédoin will punish the protagonists of the day, averaging 8.8% over 15.7km, rewarding the top three with time bonuses for their efforts.  The day finishes with a descent into Malaucène. The last stage winner was Thomas De Gendt in 2016.  

Stage 15: Céret – Andorre-La-Vielle, 192km

The Tour ventures outside of France on stage 15 to finish in the Provence of Andorra, a home to many pro cyclists. 

The Tour visited Andorra last in 2016, when Tom Dumoulin won amidst a hailstorm. Stage 15 is the day Race Director Christian Prudhomme believes the king of the mountains classification will be crowned. 

The peloton will face four category climbs, reaching the highest point of this year's Tour on the Port d’Envalira at Souvenir Henri Desgrange, a summit 2,408 meters above sea level. 

Following a final climb up the Col de Beixalis, where time bonuses are once again on offer to the first three over the summit, the race will descend to the capital of Andorra where the stage finishes, and where the peloton will then spend its second rest day. 

Stage 17: Muret – Saint-Lary-Soulan Col du Portet, 178km

The Tour always plans a special stage for Bastille Day, and this year's stage 17 will be no exception. The slopes of the Col du Portet were first tackled in 2018, when Colombian Nairo Quintana soloed to victory in spectacular fashion. He remains the only winner of the 6km (8.6%) summit. 

After 113 relatively flat kilometers, the peloton will tackle two major mountains, the Peyresourde and Val Louron-Azet. 

The Tour's second summit finish will then be fought out on the unforgiving 16km-long Col du Portet. Gradients remain above 8%, as the road snakes its way through steep, hairpin turns and over rough tarmac before pitching up to 10% for the brutal finale. 

Stage 18: Pau – Luz Ardiden, 130km

The pressure is on when the peloton arrives in Pau for stage 18. This is the day the KOM jersey will be decided, and it is the final opportunity for general classification contenders to attack prior to the stage 20 individual time trial. 

The stage will climb two giants of the Pyrenees, the Col du Tourmalet and for the first time in a decade, the Luz Ardiden.  

Samuel Sanchez last won this summit finish as Olympic Road Champion in 2011, narrowly beating Belgian Jelle Vanendert racing for Lotto Soudal, in a nail-biting battle that came down to the final 300 meters. 

The Tourmalet is the highest paved mountain pass in all of France with a summit reaching 2,115m, celebrating its 84 th participation in the Tour this July.  Stage 18 will conclude the last of the three summit finishes. 2020 Tour de France Champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates) stated in regards to the summit finishes, “I would have liked a few more, but, regardless, I expect exciting racing as always at the Tour.” 

Join   FloBikes for full   live and on demand streaming of the 108 th Tour de France in Canada, and exclusive content and coverage available worldwide!

• Tom Dumoulin
• Chris Froome
• Egan Bernal
• Julian Alaphilippe
• UAE Team Emirates
• Tadej Pogacar
• Thomas De Gendt
• Ion Izagirre
• Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team
• Movistar Team
• INEOS Grenadiers
• Astana Qazaqstan Team
• Lotto Soudal

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2024 Tour de France Jun 29 - Jul 21

Statistics:

Total climbs: 70, top 100 world: 70, avg. fiets (top 5) : 8.9, sort by attribute:, showing all 70 climbs, pjamm trips adventure starter bundles, member comments.

2024 Tour de France: June 29 to July 21, 2024

Also visit our: (1)   All Time Hardest Tour de France Climbs , (2) Most Legendary and Famous Climbs of the Tour de France ,  and, (3) 10 Highest Climbs in Tour de France History  pages for more Tour de France inside information.

https://www.letour.fr/en/overall-route

2024 TdF Stage Statistics

Col du Tourmalet  -- Stage 13: July 6, 2024

Since 1910 - 90 appearances in the TdF - more than any other climb.

Official post-race summary for Stage 1 (June 29) -  Letour.fr - Stage 1  - TBD

TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT CLIMBS OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE

(AND 10 FAMOUS ONES AFTER THAT)

©PJAMMCycing.com

Interesting 2023 TdF Facts (2024 Coming Soon)

• This is the 111th Tour de France;
• Start: Florence, Italy on Saturday, June 29, 2024 - this is the first time the Tour has ever started in Italy.;
• Finish: Nice, France on July 21, 2024 - this is the first time the tour has ever finished outside Paris.
• The tour is not finishing in Paris because of a conflict with the 2024 Summer Olympics which will be centered in Paris from late July to early August.
•  22 teams, 8 riders each - 176 total riders starting in Florence.
• Countries visited: Italy (3 stages), Republic of San Marino (1), France (19) and Monaco (1)
• Mountain ranges included in the 2024 TdF: The French and Italian Alps, Apennines (Italy) Pyrenees (France) and Massif Central (France);
• Categorized climbs:  Not yet named.
• Col du Tourmalet returns for the 90th time, by far more than any other climb featured in the Tour.
• Other notable climbs appearances:
• Col du Galibier  (64 appearances - fifth all time)
• Col de Peyresourde (69 appearances - number 4 all time)
•  Col de Portet Aspet (59 appearances)
• Distance: 3,492 kilometers (2,170 miles) - the longest tour was in 1926 at 5,745 kilometers (3,570 miles);
• Longest stage: Stage 3 - Piacenza to Turin, Italy 227 km / 141 miles);
• Total Elevation gained: 51,737 m / 169,741 ’(well below 2023 at 57,378m/188,248’ but above 2022 at 47,861m / 157,024’);
• Most elevation gained on a stage: Stage 15 (4,901 m / 16,079’’; includes Peyresourde and Plateau de Beille);
• Most elevation gained on a climb: Cime de la Bonette at 1,586 meters (5,203’) over 24 kilometers (15 miles);;
• Highest point on the 2024 TdF is Cime de la Bonette (Stage 19) at 2,802 meters (9,192’)
• This is the highest the Tour de France has ever gone.
• Cime Bonette has been featured 5 times in the TdF.
• This is the first time Bonette has appeared in the Tour since 2008.
• Steepest climb: Col de Portet d’Aspet  4.4 kilometers at 9.9% (Stage 15);
• Steepest segments: (you can filter yourself using the sorting tool in to the left of the map, above)
• 1 kilometer: 14% Pla d’adet (Stage 14)
• 2 kilometers: 12.5% Puy Mary (Stage 11)
• 5 kilometers:  103% Pla d’Adet (Stage 14)
• 10 kilometers 8.6% Plateau de Beille (Stage 15)
• 1 mile: 12.7% Pla d’Adet (Stage 11)
• 5 miles:  9.1% Pla d’Adet (Stage 14);
• This is the 111th Tour de France since its first edition in 1903:
• No TdF 1915-1918 (WWI)
• No TdF 1940-1946 (WWII)
• TdF postponed from 27 June 2020, to 29 August 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic;
• 7 mountain stages (4 summit finishes)
• 4 hilly stages;
• 8 flat stages;
• 2 individual time trials
• Two rest days (one after Stage 9 and one after Stage 15);
•  There is an individual time trial on the final day of the Tour, the first TT on the last day since 1989 when Greg LeMond edged Laurent Fignon by 8 seconds to win his second of three titles.  
• There are four summit finishes:
• Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet - Stage 14, July 13
• Plateau de Beille - Stage 15, July 14
• Isola 2000 - Stage 19, July 19
• Col de la Couillole - Stage 20, July 20
• The five hardest climbs of the 2024 Tour de France are:
• Cime Bonette (24 km at 6.55)
• Col du Tourmalet (18.7 km at 7.1%)
• Plateau de Beille (15.3 km at 7.9%)
• Isola 2000 (16.2 km at 7.1%)
• Col de la Couillole (15.9 km at 7.2%)        ;
• Time bonuses will be awarded at the finish of each stage: 10 seconds (first), 6 seconds (second), and 4 seconds (third).
• There will also be bonus seconds that will be located on climbs at strategic points: 8, 5, and 2 seconds for first through third riders past those points;
•  14 gravel segments on Stage 9 (Troyes to Troyes) with 32 of the total 199 kilometers consisting of strade bianche (white or gravel roads).
• No cobbles on this year’s Tour.
• HC & Category Climb: TBD
• Prize money:  Total $2,300,000 euros ($500,000 to the overall winner).

Historical Tour de France Facts of Interest

• Climb most often featured in the Tour:  Tourmalet - 90 times as of 2024 with Col d’Aspin second as of 74.

From Campan: 16.9 km gaining 1267m at 7.5% average grade.

From Luz Saint Sauveur: 18.7 km gaining 1319m at 7.1%.

• Highest point ever reached in the Tour de France: Cime de la Bonette, at 2,802 meters

Cime de la Bonette is the highest point ever reached by the Tour de France.

2,802 meters - Stage 18 1962 (passed again in 1964, 1993, 2008, 2024).

Five highest points the Tour de France has ever reached.

Also see Top 10 Highest Points of the TdF

• Highest point of first (1903) TdF:   Col de la République (1,161m).
• Most TdF wins:
• Yellow Jersey - overall winner:
• 5 Jacques Anquetil  (1957, 1961-1964)
• 5 Eddy Merckx  (1969-1972, 1974)
• Merckx has the most Grand Tour wins of anyone (11 - 5 TdF, 5 Giro, 1 Vuelta)
• 5 Bernard Hinault   (1978-1979, 1981-1982, 1985)
• Has the second most Grand Tour wins (10 - 5 TdF, 3 Giro, 2 Vuelta)
• 5 Miguel Indurain  (1991-1995)
• 4 Chris Froome :  (2013, 2015-2017)
• Polka Dot (King of the Mountains - since 1933):
• 7 Richard Virenque : 1994-1997, 1999, 2003, 2004 (best tour finish #2 1997)
• 6 Frederico Bahamontes : 1954, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964; nine in Grand Tours  
• Green Jersey (most points; since 1953)
• 7 Peter Sagan
• 6 Erik Zabel : 1997-2001
• Most days wearing the yellow jersey:
• 111 Eddy Merckx
• 79 Bernard Hinault
• 60 Miguel Indurain
• Most days wearing yellow jersey in a single TdF:
• 21: Jacques Anquetil 1961 - held the yellow jersey from day one.
• Most stage wins:  
• 34 Eddy Merckx
• 34 Mark Cavendish
• 28 Bernard Hinault
• Most stage wins in a single tour:  
• 8 Charles Pélissier , 1930
• 8 Merckx 1970, 1971
• 8 Freddy Maertens 1975
• Most times atop the podium (top three TdF finish):
• 8 Raymond Poulidor
• First mountain stage and climbs in the Tour:
• Stage 10 July 21, 1910: Luchon to Bayonne
• 326 kilometers
• Circle of Death: Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin, Col du Tourmalet, and Col d’Aubisque
• On arriving at the top of Col d’Aubisque Octave Lapize (TdF 1910 winner) yelled to tour organizers what is variously reported as: “murderers,” “assassins,” or “criminals.”  He also said he would quit the tour after descending to Laruns, but he rallied to complete the stage and go on to win the 1910 Tour de France.

Circle of Death

Tourmalet was the highest point the tour had ever reached as of 1910 (2115m)

Previous high point had been Col de Porte (1326m).

• First mountain-top stage finish:   Alpe d’Huez (Dutch Mountain/The Alpe) was the first mountain-top finish in the history of the Tour de France in 1952, Stage 10.
• Country wearing the yellow jersey most:  
• France (709)
• Belgium (434)

Frenchmen have been in the maillot jaune (yellow jersey)   far more than any other country.

• Winning TdF in first appearance:
• 11 between 1903 - 1983, but none since Laurent Fignon  (1983) until 2020 and Tadej Pogačar  
• Youngest winner of the Tour:  
• Henri Cornet : France, age 19 (1904)
• Tadej Pogačar: Slovenia, age 21 (2020)
• Oldest TdF winner:
• Firmin Lambot: Belgium, age 36 (1922)
• Most TdF appearances:
• 18 Sylvain Chavenel  (2001-2018 age 42; top finish 19 2009)
• King of the Mountains:  Mountain Classification victories (first recognized in 1933; jersey introduced 1975)

“Symbol of the mountains, of a rider pushing beyond their limits and of courage, the red polka dot jersey, which is sponsored by Carrefour, is awarded to the Tour de France’s leader of the best climber classification. Although this classification was introduced in 1933, its symbol, the polka dot jersey, appeared in 1975, which was also the year the Tour first finished on the Champs-Élysées and was won by Bernard Thévenet. It owes its appearance to track racing specialist Henri Lemoine, who competed between the 1930s and 1950s, and that Félix Lévitan, co-director of the Tour with Jacques Goddetwhich, had particularly noticed. While Belgium’s Lucien Van Impe was its first winner and claimed the mountains classification six times, just like his illustrious predecessor, Spain’s Federico Bahamontes, the so-called “Eagle of Toledo”, Frenchman Richard Virenque holds the record for victories with seven titles” ( Tour de France, Polka Dot Jersey ).

• Richard Virenque : 7 (1994-1997, 1999, 2003, 2004; best tour finish #2 1997)
• Frederico Bahamontes : 6 (1954, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964; nine in Grand Tours)  
• Triples (none ever in the same year):   Frederico Bahamontes  and Louis Herrera .
• Doubles same year (TdF+Giro):   Fausto Coppi , Charly Gaul , Lucien Van Impe , Claudio Chaippucci

King of the Mountains is designated by the red polka dot jersey.

• Most green jerseys (total points):
•  7 - Peter Sagan
• Most white jerseys (best young rider):
• 3 - Jan Ullrich  (1996-1998),
• 3 Andy Schleck  (2008-2010)
• Least finishers:  
• Shortest margin of victory:  
• 8 seconds: Greg Lemond  over Laurent Fignon in 1989.  Lemond overcame 50 seconds in the final time trial using aero bars for the first time in the TdF.
• Greatest margin of victory:
• 2h49’21” in 1903 between Maurice Garin  and Lucien Pothier .
• Country with most wins:
• France (36)
• Belgium (18)
• Britain (6)
• Luxembourg (5)
• USA and Denmark (3)
• Hardest climb ever in the Tour de France:  Col de la Loze (Meribel).
• See our All Time Top 10 Tour de France Climbs  page.

EXPLANATION OF KING OF MOUNTAIN, KOM POINTS, AND BONUS POINTS

FOR THE 2024 TOUR DE FRANCE

KOM DEFINED :  Climb-related points are accumulated during the race.  The rider with the most accumulated points at the beginning of the stage wears the red polka dot jersey that day, and the rider with the most points at the end of the race is crowned that year’s Tour de France King of the Mountains.

“ Category ”:   When the mountain classification (King of the Mountains) was introduced in 1933, there were points given to the first 10 riders over the summit (10 for first, 1 for tenth).  In 1947, the Tour introduced two climb “categories” with a certain amount of points for the second category and twice as many as for the first category.  Over the years “categories” were added, in addition to an “Above” category (Hors or HC) and since 1979 there have been a HC (hardest), Category 1 (second hardest) on down to Category 4 (least difficult climb).

The category of the climb is significant for two reasons:

• The points awarded for the TdF KOM for each climb is based upon the category of climb - thus, “category” is the basis for the points that are used to determine each year’s King of the Mountains.
• Most cycling fans, particularly Grand Tour fans, are very interested in the climb “category” because that tells them how hard each climb on a stage is, where the riders will struggle more, and the point in a stage where that day, or even the entire tour, will be won or lost.

KOM HISTORY :  

• King of the Mountains : Mountain Classification victories (first recognized in 1933; jersey introduced 1975)
• 2020 & 2021 King of the Mountains:   Tadej Pogačar , Slovenia (also won the TdF and the Young Rider classification)
• 2022 -  Jonas Vingegaard (NED) - also won TdF.
• 2023 - Giulio Ciccone  (ITA)

POINTS :  KOM points are awarded in three ways on the Tour de France:

•  To riders first over the summit of categorized climbs (in descending order HC, 1-4).  
• The higher the category the more riders receive points (HC points are awarded to eight riders, while CAT 4 points are awarded to only one rider).
• Bonus point (see below).
• Points for altitude finishes.

TDF POINTS FORMULA : Wikipedia has the best summary and graph we’ve seen for TdF KOM points distribution:

The points gained by consecutive riders reaching a mountain top are distributed according to the following classification:

Wikipedia - Mountains Classification - Tour de France

BONUS POINTS :  These points go towards the King of the Mountain designation and are awarded to the first (8 points), second (5 points), and third (2 points) riders reaching designated summits in the race.  

• There are no KOM bonuses in the 2022 Tour de France.  

MONEY PRIZES FOR KING OF THE MOUNTAINS

• Prize for first to eighth place:
• Winner = €25,000
• 2nd = €15,000
• 3rd = €10,000
• 4th = €4,000
• 5th = €3,500
• 6th = €3,000
• 7th = €2,500
• 8th = €2,000
• Daily prize for wearing the Polka Dot jersey = €6,000
• Per category climb:
• Souvenir Henri Desgrange €5000 first to Col du Galibier pass Stage 11.

The maximum amount the KOM winner could earn if he won every stage and wore the jersey from Stage 2 to the finish is $60,300 Euros (62,773 USD)

Loading Document

Tour de France 2023: Philipsen still leads points competition

Points competition stage 5 1. Jasper Philipsen 150 2. Bryan Coquard 84 3. Victor Lafay 80 4. Mads Pedersen 76 5. Wout van Aert 75 6. Caleb Ewan 73 7. Mark Cavendish 62 8. Tadej Pogacar 50 9. Jordi Meeus 44 10. Jai Hindley 41

Intermediate sprint, at kilometre 48.8: 1. Bryan Coquard 20 2. Mads Pedersen 17 3. Wout van Aert 15 4. Victor Campenaerts 13 5. Rémi Cavagna 11 6. Rigoberto Uran 10 7. Kasper Asgreen 9 8. Christopher juul-Jensen 8 9. Tiesje Benoot 7 10. Felix Gall 6 11. Emanuel Buchman 5 12. Matteo Jorgenson 4 13. Juan Pedro López 3 14. Giulio Ciccone 2 15. Torstein Træen 1

Finish: 1. Jai Hindley 20 2. Giulio Ciccone 17 3. Felix Gall 15 4. Emanuel Buchmann 13 5. Jonas Vingegaard 11 6. Mattias Skjelmose 10 7. Daniel Felipe Martínez 9 8. Tadej Pogacar 8 9. David Gaudu 7 10. Carlos Rodriguez 6 11. Jack Haig 5 12. Sepp Kuss 4 13. Simon Yates 3 14. Valentin Madouas 2 15. Adam Yates 1

Another interesting read: KOM competition stage 5 .

Tour de France 2023 stage 5: routes, profiles

Click on the images to zoom

Favorites for the General Classification of the Giro d'Italia 2024 | Tadej Pogacar? These gentlemen also dream of the pink jersey

Is there a more beautiful jersey in cycling than the pink one? Tadej Pogacar must have thought the same thing, as after winning two yellow jerseys in the Tour de France, the Slovenian is finally making his debut in the Giro d'Italia this year. The top favorite? Absolutely. But in the Tour of Italy, it’s not always the favorite who wins. IDLProCycling.com lists the top ten contenders for the overall victory!

Please also read/coming soon on IDLProCycling.com:

- Preview of the Giro d'Italia

- Favorites for the points classification (purple jersey)

- Favorites for the mountain classification (blue jersey)

- Favorites for the youth classification (white jersey)

- Betting pool tips for the Giro d'Italia

Recent winners Giro d'Italia

2023 - Primoz Roglic

2022 - Jai Hindley

2021 - Egan Bernal

2020 - Tao Geoghegan Hart

2019 - Richard Carapaz

2018 - Chris Froome

2017 - Tom Dumoulin

2016 - Vincenzo Nibali

2015 - Alberto Contador

2014 - Nairo Quintana

Favorites for the General Classification of the Giro d'Italia 2024

To compile this list, (former) editors at IDLProCycling.com were asked for their top ten in response to the question: "Who is most likely to win the Giro d'Italia?" Each top ten was assigned points as follows: 12 points for first place, 10 for second place, and then 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively. For each rider, the total points received were converted into a percentage of the maximum points possible. This percentage is indicated next to each rider. This helps give a clearer view of how the odds stack up according to IDLProCycling.com!

Antonio Tiberi/Juan Pedro López - Bahrain Victorious/Lidl-Trek: 17/108 points (15.7%)

We start off with a tie in the rankings. Antonio Tiberi appeared seven times on our lists, but often in the ninth or tenth spot. The 22-year-old Italian will chase a classification for the first time in a grand tour for Bahrain Victorious, and why would he not be able to surprise everyone? His third place in the Tour of the Alps was impressive. Top five is his goal, but with us, he just has to make do with narrowly making the top ten.

The same applies to Juan Pedro López, the winner of the Tour of the Alps and a former wearer of the pink jersey for several days. Representing Lidl-Trek, the 26-year-old Spaniard seems to have carte blanche to try again. His stage win in the Alps—where he dramatically dropped everyone—promises much. The problem for him are the time trial kilometers, so he must go on the offensive in his beloved mountains for a top ranking.

Damiano Caruso - Bahrain Victorious: 18/108 points (16.7%)

At number nine, we find Damiano Caruso, Tiberi's teammate at Bahrain Victorious and, of course, the runner-up of the 2021 Giro! That same year, he also won a stage in the Vuelta. However, the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023 didn't go as well for him.

Can he do it again at the age of 36? Or will it be more about chasing stage wins and supporting the new generation? His results in 2024 haven't been very spectacular, but neither were they before his second place in 2021. Caruso is tough, never count him out!

Luke Plapp - Jayco-AlUla: 18/108 points (16.7%)

Scoring the same as Caruso but placed a spot higher, Luke Plapp has caught the attention of several editors who believe he could be this Giro’s surprise package. One even placed him third! Why? Plapp finished sixth in Paris-Nice and seems to be climbing better than ever. Moreover, the Australian from Jayco-AlUla is an outstanding time trialist.

His switch from INEOS Grenadiers to Jayco is paying off, although he recently mentioned that the team's focus for the classification is on Eddie Dunbar. The Irishman isn't on our list, but Plapp is. He’s poised to surprise us. The Giro has often been a platform for riders to come into their own. Maybe this is the moment for the 23-year-old Plapp.

Daniel Felipe Martínez - BORA-hansgrohe: 39/108 points (36.1%)

Another man who, after a surprising departure from INEOS, has been tearing up the streets is Daniel Felipe Martinez. He beat Remco Evenepoel twice (!) in explosive finishes at the Tour of the Algarve. And let’s not forget his role as a domestique for the overall winner Egan Bernal in 2021, where he finished fifth in the Giro.

At BORA-hansgrohe, this year is all about the Tour de France. They are sending Primoz Roglic, Jai Hindley, and Aleksandr Vlasov to focus on it. This gives Martinez free rein to fully explore his potential as a GC contender. If he's really on point, he can compete with the best. He has, after all, also won the GC in the Dauphiné and the Tour of the Basque Country in his career.

Cian Uijtdebroeks - Visma | Lease a Bike: 46/108 points (42.6%)

At Visma | Lease a Bike, since December, they have had one goal: to make a splash in the Giro! Despite losing Wout van Aert and Wilco Kelderman to injuries, there remains more than enough quality to compete for stage wins every day. Olav Kooij, Jan Tratnik, Attila Valter... Impressive, to say the least.

One rider who consistently sneaks under the radar is Cian Uijtdebroeks. The young Belgian's switch from BORA to Visma last winter has been much discussed, and the Giro might shed light on whether this move was beneficial. Considering his eighth-place finish in a competitive Vuelta in 2023, he’s expected to perform even better in this Giro... We're eager to see what he does!

Thymen Arensman - INEOS Grenadiers: 54/108 points (50.0%)

Thymen Arensman is the first and only Dutchman on this list (most of our editors are Dutch), but he's no ordinary competitor. Born to race for the GC, Arensman might not typically finish in the top three of explosive finales, but he consistently secured a strong top ten spot in both the 2022 Vuelta and 2023 Giro.

Having finished sixth twice in a grand tour, he's aiming higher now. Let’s say at least top five. Geraint Thomas is the declared leader at INEOS Grenadiers, but the 24-year-old Arensman is a dangerous dark horse. After finishing fifth in the Algarve and sixth in the Tirreno, and with a year at INEOS under his belt, it's time for him to harvest the fruits of his labor.

Ben O'Connor - Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale: 61/108 points (56.5%)

We're slowly moving towards the podium, but according to our editorial team, it might just be out of reach for Ben O'Connor. Nonetheless, the Australian from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale is having an excellent season. There's no reason to believe he can't continue this form into the Giro.

The 28-year-old O'Connor is rock solid in the mountains and has improved significantly in time trials over the past few years. He won a stage in the 2020 Giro and followed up a year later with a stage win and an eighth-place finish in the final classification in the Tour de France. 2023 was marred by crashes and injuries, but in 2024, O'Connor has already impressed with a second-place finish in the UAE Tour and the Tour of the Alps, and fifth in the Tirreno.

Romain Bardet - Team dsm-firmenich PostNL: 68/108 points (63%)

Romain Bardet in the best form of his life? At Liège-Bastogne-Liège, he finished second with impressive form, after placing fifth at the Tour of the Alps. Watching a good Bardet race is a delight. And who knows what he might achieve in the GC if dsm-firmenich PostNL fully commits.

And why not? The time trials won't be easy for Bardet, but the Frenchman has greatly improved in this discipline and also has plenty of mountain stages and bonus sprints to compensate. After his second and third places in the Tour in '16 and '17, we'd love to see him on the podium again. However, it won't be handed to him on a silver platter!

Geraint Thomas - INEOS Grenadiers: 73/108 points (67.6%)

As previously noted, Geraint Thomas is the leader at INEOS Grenadiers, but it's always tough to fully gauge the Welshman. After his Tour de France victory in 2018, his career seemed to wane, but in recent years, he's rediscovered his top form. He finished third behind Pogacar and Vingegaard in the 2022 Tour and was the runner-up to Roglic in last year's Giro.

INEOS wants to race aggressively, whatever that may mean. Thomas on the attack? We've rarely seen that. He's mainly a model of consistency. Never really having a bad day, always finishing among the leaders. And in this way, we might see him on the podium again in Rome.

Tadej Pogacar - UAE-Team Emirates: 108/108 points (100%)

Whether any of the ten names mentioned can dream of overall victory will largely depend on one rider. Tadej Pogacar is the man to beat, the rider who stands out when everyone else is performing at their usual level. And this season, the Slovenian from UAE-Team Emirates is at his best...

He clinched a victory at Strade Bianche after an epic eighty-kilometer solo break, secured four (!) stage victories and the overall win in Catalonia, and topped it off with a win at Liège-Bastenaken-Liège following another bold solo effort from La Redoute. With a strong team backing him at UAE, if Pogacar stays healthy for three weeks, everything points to him dominating. However, the Giro still has to be raced, particularly with Pogacar also eyeing a win at the Tour de France this summer...

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Tour de France 2023 Stage 14 LIVE: Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard set to fight for yellow on the final climb of the first day in the Alps

• Overall standings

Updated 15/07/2023 at 16:21 GMT

Kwiatkowski wins Stage 13 as Pogacar takes time with sprint finish

‘Blast off to Planet Pidcock’ – Brit stars on Stage 12 on Alpe d’Huez

Stage 13 highlights: Kwiatkowski emerges victorious as Pogacar launches late attack

Stage 14 profile and route map: Annemasse - Morzine Les Portes du Soleil

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Tour de France

Tour de france stage 19: a crucial day in the high mountains, second-last mountain stage will play major part in tour gc battle, with three peaks over 2,000 meters..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Stage 19 — Friday, July 19 Embrum to Isola 2000 Distance: 144.6km (90 miles) Profile: Mountain stage

Stage 19: Second-last mountain stage will play major part in GC battle

Tour de France organizers may be avoiding Paris for the first time ever, due to the Olympic Games being held there, but the final three days of the race will be suspenseful right up to the finish in Nice. Stage 19 will see the climbers go all out for success, with 4,500 meters of climbing in store.

The difficulty is further heightened by the fact that all three of the day’s climbs are over 2,000 meters, the level at which altitude really starts to have an effect.

The first half hour of racing is on rolling roads but from there the peloton will begin the climb of the Col du Vars. At 18.9km in length, it averages 5.7 percent but does top 10 percent early on. It summits at 2,105 meters and then the riders will plunge downhill for 22km before starting the Cime de la Bonette. This 23km brute is 6.9 percent average and ascends to 2,797 meters, the highest of this year’s Tour.

A 40km descent takes the riders to the day’s final climb, that of Isola 2000. It is another testing one, averaging 7 percent over 16.4km up to the finish.

The view of Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme: “The menu for this ultra-mountain stage could well make you dizzy, but it’ll also whet the appetite of the very best climbers. Although the stage is less than 150km long, the riders will climb above 2,000 meters on three occasions.

“The biggest test the climb to the summit of La Bonette, the highest road in France at an altitude of 2,802 meters. Its 360-degree panorama is breath-taking.”

Everything you need to know about cycling in France your independent guide

Tour de France 2023 route: Stage-by-stage guide

The 2023 tour de france will take place july 1 to july 23. it will be the  110th edition of great race. the grand depart will take place in the basque country. .

• 2023 Tour de France Femmes routes
• Finding accommodation for the Tour de France
• Finding bike hire for the Tour de France
• Tour de France road closure information
• Advice for watching the TDF in person
• Advice for watching the TDF in Paris
• Beginner's guide to the Tour de France
• Riding Etape du Tour
• 2023 Tour de France program and race guide

The 2023 Tour de France Grand Depart  will be a big one as it takes place in cycling heartland, the Basque Country on the Spanish side of the border. This is an area with a rich cycling tradition and super passionate supporters. 

The race kicks off on July 1 and finishes on July 23. As is tradition, the Tour de France will  finish in Paris. 

Specific info on each stage and more detailed maps are also usually published online each May and in the official race program . We'll post links to it when it's released.

We have this page for Tour de France road closure information , which we also update as information comes to hand (usually not from around May onwards).

See here for accommodation near the route (it will be progressively updated throughout 2023).

Where to find more useful information: Official 2023 Tour de France Race Guide

2023 tour de france grand depart map.

Note that all maps and stage profiles are also available  from the official website . Stage timings are also provided there.

Stage 1: Saturday, July 1  – Bilbao to Bilbao, 182km 

For the first time in a few years, the Tour de France starts with a full stage, rather than a time trial – and it isn't an easy introduction to the Tour.

Bilbao is the host for this 185km loop ride that takes in a good 3300m of climbing. There are five  climbs with points up for grabs straight away in the polka dot contest. 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 we go to the popular seaside resort of San Sebastian.  The day may end on the coast but it's not a flat ride: there are  5 climbs on stage 2.

Stage 3: Monday, July 3 – Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne, 185km 

We know the stage starts in Amorebienta-Etxano and heads back across the border into France .   

Stage 4: Tuesday , July 4 -  Dax to Nogaro Circuit, 182km

Potentially 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 – today is also the first mountain stage.

Stage 6: Thursday, July 6 - Tarbes to Cauterets, 145km

Say hello to the Aspin and Tourmalet, part of 3750 metres of climbing.

Stage 7: Friday, July 7 - Mont de Marsan to Bordeaux, 170km

The Tour visits Bordeaux for the 82nd time – until recent times, it was one of the regular Tour towns. This is the first visit in more than 10 years, though. 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 difficult climb could take the win.

Stage 9: Sunday, July 9 -  Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat to Puy de Dôme, 184km

An icon returns.

Rest day - Monday, July 10 - Clermont-Ferrand

The area around Clermont-Ferrand also features prominently in the Tour de France Femmes 2023 .

Stage 10: Tuesday, July 11 - Parc Vulcania to Issoire, 167km

One for the breakaway.

Stage 11: Wednesday, July 12 - Clermont Ferrand to Moulins, 180km

A day for the sprinters.  

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.

Stage 13: Friday, July 14 - C hâtillon-Sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier,  138km

Stage 14: Saturday, July 15 -  Annemasse to Morzine, 152km

4200 metres of climbing, including the Col de la Ramaz and Joux Plane . This is also the 2023 L'Etape du Tour stage . That's on July 9.

Stage 15: Sunday, July 16 - Les Gets to Saint Gervais, 180km

More mountains!

Rest day: Monday, July 17 - Saint Gervais Mont Blanc

Stage 16: tuesday, july 18 - passy to combloux, 22km.

A quick little individual time trial.

Stage 17: Wednesday, July 19 - Saint Gervais to Courchevel, 166km

More than 5000 metres of vertical gain, the infamous Col de la Loze before reaching Courchevel's altiport.

Stage 18: Thursday, July 20 - Moutiers to Bourg en Bresse, 186km

After 5 very hard stages, the sprinters will find a route that should facilitate their return front and centre .

Stage 19: Friday, July 22 - M oirans-en-Montagne to Poligny, 173km

A 8km long final straight, the dream for the sprinters' teams .

Stage 20: Saturday, July 22 - Belfort to L e Markstein, 133km

A final chance in the mountains with a route for the leaders . This stage has the last 2 climbs in the Tour.

Stage 21: Sunday, July 23 - Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines to Paris Champs-Elysées, 115km   

As is tradition, we finish on the  Champs-Elysées . 

Time bonuses and points

In 2023, time bonuses will be awarded at the finish of each stage – 10, 6 and 4 seconds for the first three riders across the line.

Bonus points will also be awarded on strategic mountain passes and summits. The first three riders across these will pick up bonuses of 8, 5 and 2 seconds. The mountain-top bonus points won't count towards the points classification.

Bike hire for watching the Tour de France

A reminder that if you need bike hire during the Tour de France you should book early. It ALWAYS sells out and it can be very hard to find quality carbon road bikes closer to the time.  More info here .

2023 Tour de France Race Guide

Get the official 2023 Tour de France Race Guide: This collates all stage maps and race times into one booklet.

See here for bike-friendly accommodation  

Related articles

• Tour de France 2022 route: Stage-by-stage guide
• Tour de France 2024 route: Stage-by-stage guide
• Tour de France 2021 route: Stage-by-stage guide

2024 Tour de France program and race guide

• Tour de France 2020 route: Stage-by-stage guide
• 2019 Tour de France Official Race Guide
• Tour de France Femmes 2023 Stage-by-stage guide

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Tour de France 2023 stage 14 AS IT HAPPENED: Carlos Rodriguez wins as Pogačar and Vingegaard duel on the Joux Plane

Live coverage as the Tour de France tackles a tough mountain stage in the Alps

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Carlos Rodriguez wins stage 14 of the Tour de France. 

Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar duel on the Col de Joux Plane but finish together in Morzine. Vingegaard extends his lead in the GC by one second. 

Stage neutralised at 8km after early crash brought down much of the peloton. 

Race resumed after 25 minutes; Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost), Antonio Pedrero (Movistar) abandon. 

James Shaw (EF Education-EasyPost) and Romain Bardet (DSM - Firmenich) also abandon after subsequent crash. 

Hello and welcome to live coverage of stage 14 of the 2023 Tour de France . 

There will be plenty of sore heads today across France after last night's Bastille Day festivities, and plenty of sore legs in the Tour de France peloton as they face a second mountainous stage in succession. 

Today sees the Tour peloton wiggle its way around the Alps of Haute-Savoie, finishing the stage with a devilishly hard ascent of the Col de Joux Plane before tackling the fast and highly technical descent into Morzine. 

Another day for the breakaway, or will the stage honours go to the riders of the general classification? Get in touch with your questions and comments on Twitter @rabrahamcycling

Here's what's on the menu today - a real classic Tour mountain stage sawtooth profile with five categorised climbs. 

A day for the climbers, then, with plenty of points in the King of the Mountains classification up for grabs. 

Of course we'll likely see some GC fireworks on that final climb, with those bonus seconds on offer on the Col de Joux Plane a mouthwatering proposition for Tadej Pogačar, just 9 seconds down on Jonas Vingegaard in the battle for the yellow jersey. 

And here is the general classification going into the stage:

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma, in 53-48-50 2. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates, at 9 seconds 3. Jai Hindley (Aus) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 2-51 4. Carlos Rodríguez (Esp) Ineos Grenadiers, at 4-48 5. Adam Yates (Gbr) UAE Team Emirates, at 5-03 6. Simon Yates (Gbr) Jayco-AIUla, at 5-04 7. Pello Bilbao (Esp) Bahrain Victorious, at 05-25 8. Tom Pidcock (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers, at 5-35 9. David Gaudu (Fra) Groupama-FDJ, at 6-52 10. Sepp Kuss (Usa) Jumbo-Visma, at 07-11

While stage 13 was notable for Pogačar's brutal acceleration to claw back eight seconds from Vingegaard, it was a fine victory for one of the world's best riders: Michał Kwiatkowski. 

Winner of he World Championships, Milan-Sanremo, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, and now two Tour stages; the Polish rider also gives a great interview, as he did after the stage. 

"It was euphoria when I heard we [the break] had an advantage, and when I caught the guys. It was intense, to start to realise 'shit I can win this stage’. In half an hour I had completely different emotions, it’s crazy. I had the worst day on the bike yesterday at this Tour, I was really suffering on the bike, and today I had the best legs. It’s all upside down. It’s completely strange, and different emotions."

You can read CW's analysis here . 

More than 4,000m of elevation with Col de Joux Plane as the main challenge of the day ⛰️Stage 14 is a gruelling one and fatigue is growing. Once they reach Morzine, the riders will have overcome 40,000m of elevation since the start from Bilbao 🥵#TDFdata #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/g7UAqWhFx3 July 15, 2023

4,000m of elevation on stage 14, making 40,000m in total since the Tour began two weeks ago in Bilbao. 

Yikes! 

One thing to note about today's stage, however, is that very little of it takes place above 1,500m. In fact, most of it is below 1,000m. 

The high point of the stage, the Col de Joux Plane, is 'only' 1691m above sea level. That's plenty high enough for us mortals, but in Tour de France terms altitude will not be a significant factor in today's race. 

A little more on the Joux Plane. It doesn't have the superstar status of Alpe d'Huez or Mont Ventoux but it's a serious climb nonetheless. 

I went to visit the mountain ahead of the 2016 Tour, the last time it featured as the final climb (and descent) on a Tour stage. That year, the stage was won by Ion Izagirre (who won stage 12 of this year's race , as it happens). 

What I found was a small climb with a big story, and one which has put paid to many a Tour de France bid in its history. 

You can read all about it here . 

Who would I fancy for today's stage? Well, how about the man who must be the best descender in the peloton: Tom Pidcock. 

Who can forget that jaw-dropping descent en route to stage victory in last year's Tour. The guy goes downhill in another dimension. 

Any excuse to have another watch of those highlights... 

🗣️ "Les jambes sont lourdes, mais le moral est là ! Je vais tout donner pour garder le maillot aujourd'hui" - 🇺🇸 @NPowless #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/WEDOLautoS July 15, 2023

Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) is the current leader in the polka dot jersey competition, as he has been since the end of stage one . 

The American has 46 points, however Tadej Pogačar is rapidly coming up behind him on 31.  

Points mean prizes, and Powless really MUST get in the break today if he is to stand a chance of holding that famous jersey all the way to Paris.

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 151.8km to go

The flag has dropped in Annemasse and the riders are rolling out for the neutralised section, which lasts around 15 minutes. 

Talking of polka-dots, why stop at the jersey? I'm with Pierre Rolland; if you can make it white with red spots, do it. 

(Powless is in black shorts today, by the way. Boo.)

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 151km to go

Race director Christian Prudhomme pops his head out of his red Skoda, the flag drops, and the attacks start... gently. Simon Geschke and Neilson Powless, among others, make an effort to break free. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 147km to go

Lotto-Dstny are looking lively, along with breakaway stalwarts Matteo Jorgensen, James Shaw and Krists Neilands. 

It's an uphill start and the front of the bunch is stretching and snapping like raw pizza dough. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 146km to go

BIG crash brings down a big chunk of the peloton, with riders all over the place. Riders from a lot of teams are down and requiring attention. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 145km to go

RACE NEUTRALISED

The race has been paused while the riders who have come down in that large crash are assessed by the medical staff on the race. 

Dani Martinez (Ineos), Louis Meintjes (Intermarche), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) among some of the riders to require attention. 

Sensible decision by the organisers there. 

Not sure what exactly caused that crash but it happened as the peloton was flexing under the pressure of moves off the front. Wet roads, as well, out there in the Alps. 

Antonio Pedrero (Movistar) is out of the race. 

Dani Martinez undergoing a concussion check, it appears. Tom Pidcock is receiving a few dressings to his shin. 

The peloton is currently waiting by a road bridge. Tadej Pogačar is sat on the side of the road, lost in his own thoughts. Matteo Trentin is perched on the bridge railings. 

Some slow-mo images from the crash have appeared and it looks like Frederik Frisson (Lotto-Dstny) slipped out on the greasy roads, bringing down much of the peloton behind him. 

Some nasty wounds being bandaged up. Poor old Frederik has a large cut at the top of his thigh but will try to continue the race. 

The team mechanics and sports directors have taken the opportunity to hop out of the team cars and attend to their riders. 

We're still waiting to hear when the race will restart...

And after a 20 minute wait, the race has resumed with a 2km neutralised zone before the flag drops again. 

The hold up was for replacement ambulances to make it to the race. 

Louis Meintjes (Intermarche) has also abandoned the race.  

We are absolutely devastated to report that Louis Meintjes fractured his collarbone following a crash early in stage 14 and leaves the Tour de France. #TDF2023 July 15, 2023

Confirmation from Intermarché-Circus-Wanty that Meintjes fractured his collarbone in that crash

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 140km to go

The attacks began immediately after the restart but so far, nothing has managed to break the elastic tying it to the front of the peloton. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 136km to go

The whole peloton is virtually in single-file as EF Education force the pace and try to bring back a small move that they have failed to get a rider in. 

Lars van den Berg (Groupama-FDJ) is now the sole leader a few seconds up the road. 

They're on the first climb of the day: the Col de Saxel (4.2km at 4.6%). It's been uphill since the gun though, to be fair. 

Poor old Adrien Petit, who came down in that crash, is hanging out the back of the peloton already. 

There's never a good amount of skin to be on show through torn lycra, but that is a lot of bare skin on display. Allez Adrien, hang in there. 

Another sad sight as Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost), who came off worse for wear in that crash, climbs off the bike and into the open boot of a team vehicle on the side of the road. That will surely be that for his Tour - and another blow for EF. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 133km to go

Somehow, after looking pretty dazed in that crash, Dani Martinez has made it up the road and into the break. He led a quintet of riders over the first climb of the day. 

Alongside the Colombian are Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Lars van den Berg (Groupama-FDJ) and Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech). 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 124km to go

Romain Bardet is down! The Frenchman crashed on the descent of the Col de Saxel and is getting attention from medical staff. He is on his feet but it doesn't look good for DSM's team leader. 

So too is James Shaw! A nightmare day for EF gets worse. 

Hard to say what is behind these crashes but the damp weather has been replaced by hot sunshine, and that horrid combination of wet and dry can make roads extremely treacherous, even for the best bike handlers. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 120km to go

We now have a large group of 20 or so riders at the front as the race heads up the next climb, the Col de Cou (7km at 7.4%). 

They have a gap of around 20 seconds on the peloton. Many teams represented in there, so this could be the move... 

Jumbo-Visma begin to marshal the front of the main pack as the front runners begin to splinter. Thibaut Pinot, Giulio Ciccone and Neilson Powless are all up there and looking good. 

Confirmation on race radio that Romain Bardet and James Shaw have abandoned the race. That's desperately sad for the race and especially so for Shaw, who looked to have much more to give in his debut Tour. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 117km to go

Yesterday's stage winner Michał Kwiatkowski is also up there trying to make this move stick. Jumbo are holding it at 20 seconds. 

Adrien Petit update: he battles on, accompanied by his team car at the very back of the race. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 114km to go

Maximum 10 points for Giulio Ciccone at the top of the Col de Cou but that man Neilson Powless bags 8 more to his total. 

Could be a real shake-up in the KoM competition today: Tobias Johannesson (Uno-X) was third at the start of the day and he's a notable presence at the front of the race. Forty seconds is their gap now. 

Keep fighting Adrien ❤️❤️❤️ #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/oVn3pN1F1P July 15, 2023

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 105km to go

The breakaway is still in something of an embryonic stage as it hits the foot of the Col du Feu (translation: Pass of Fire). It's just waiting for someone to light it up as the riders start to feel the burn on this climb. 

Gorka Izagirre, Alex Aranburu (Astana) and Tobias Johannesson (Uno-X) are dangling 10 seconds out front. 

The peloton comprises around 60 riders with Jumbo-Visma firmly in control. The green jersey, Jasper Philipsen, is feeling the heat. He and the bigger riders have called gruppetto. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 102km to go

Now then, could this be the day that Thibaut Pinot fans have been waiting for? 

Riding his final Tour, the French fan favourite is forcing the pace at the front along with Giulio Ciccone, Mike Woods and Juanpe Lopez. 

Neilson Powless moving across... 

A well known goat enthusiast, Thibaut Pinot. He keeps a flock of goats (is flock the right collective noun for goats?) at home. Seem to remember you used to be able to purchase goat-themed Pinot merchandise from somewhere or other, too. 

Another fun goat fact - there is a 'goat village' a few kilometres away from today's stage finish town of Morzine. The curious animals roam wild in the little mountainside hamlet of Les Lindarets. Great for selfies and all other kinds of goat related fun. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 99km to go

The front of the race is in bits. Mike Woods and Giulio Ciccone are determined to force this move clear over the Col du Feu. Pinot dangles a few seconds back with Mikel Landa. 

Ciccone sprints for 10 more points at the top. 

Julian Alaphilippe is caught by the peloton. The Frenchman was one of the early instigators of the breakaway but couldn't keep with the pace on the early climbs. 

It's not for want of trying, but the former world champion really hasn't been at his effervescent best at this year's race. Soudal-QuickStep really haven't had the best of Tours either. Just two top tens for the Belgian squad, their best result coming from Fabio Jakobsen who got fourth on stage three. 

⚪️🔴 Classement provisoire après le col du Feu ⚪️🔴🥇 🇺🇸@NPowless, 54 pts🥈 🇮🇹@giuliocicco1, 42 pts🥉 🇸🇮@TamauPogi, 31 pts4️⃣ 🇵🇱@kwiato, 30 pts5️⃣ 🇳🇴@TobiasJohannes1, 30 pts#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/tUO3BKqp32 July 15, 2023

The current KoM standings - Giulio Ciccone shooting up the leaderboard early on today

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 88km to go

Despite the pedigree of the riders that were up the road, the Jumbo-Visma led peloton look like they are about to bring things back together.

There are a few choice words and a bit of head shaking between the members of the wannabe échappé, but little cohesion. Perhaps their dwindling 20 second lead will sharpen minds... 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 86km to go

Ciccone leads the race uncontested through the day's intermediate sprint. Which is also on a climb, the Col de Jambaz (it's one of those days). 

The points mean little but that's a cheeky 1500€ for the Italian and Lidl-Trek, there. Not to be sniffed at. 

Cycling can be such a cruel sport. 

Romain Bardet is consoled by his manager Matt Winston after crashing out of the Tour earlier today. 

Get well soon Romain. See you back at the Tour soon. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 72km to go

The highest GC rider in the break is Thibaut Pinot, 9 minutes off the race lead, but Jumbo gonna Jumbo and the break is still at 30 seconds. 

The break now comprises 11 riders:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), Mikel Landa, Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious), Gorka Izagirre, Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Mike Woods, Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech), Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), Dani Martínez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan).

Bet you didn’t know @giuliocicco1 was this ripped 😳 pic.twitter.com/wUKf72ctUO July 15, 2023

Nope, Lidl-Trek, I did not. 

Giulio Ciccone (body fat percentage = minus 5) will definitely be one to watch today. He looks like he's on a mission. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 63km to go

On to the Col de la Ramaz (13.9km at 7.1%) now, which the Tour will be crossing for only the fifth time in its history. 

It's a first category climb but there's a nasty kilometre at an average of 12% that comes 4km from the top. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 60km to go

Woods and Ciccone are now alone at the front of the break on the Ramaz. Six riders chasing at 11 seconds and then the peloton close behind at 27 seconds. 

Carlos Rodriguez, fourth overall at the start of the day, is off the back of the GC group with Michał Kwiatkowski for company. Looked like a mechanical issue rather than a matter of bad legs for the young Spaniard. 

Jumbo-Visma are on a mission today. Notable non-climber Nathan Van Hooydonck is tearing up the climb with six teammates on his wheel, massing like angry bees. They have caught all but Woods and Ciccone.

What are their plans today? Why the big effort with over 60km to go? The peloton is down to around 30 riders but UAE Team Emirates and Ineos Grenadiers are all there in numbers. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 59km to go

Ciccone goes alone with 9km to the top as Van Hooydonck peels off and hands over to Tiesj Benoot. Woods is caught. 

Tadej Pogačar is glued to the wheel of Jonas Vingegaard. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 58km to go

Bye bye breakaway. Giulio Ciccone is caught by Jumbo-Visma. 

Now what!? 

I am glad to announce that we had a call with @amaurysport, @AigcpOfficial, @UCI_cycling regarding the downhill finishes on stage 14 and 17 @LeTour. ASO will have warning Audio signs well before corners, new ashfelt(which was a main concern for the riders) and barriers with… pic.twitter.com/Bq5WPi8q4v June 29, 2023

There's been a lot of talk about the downhill finish off the Col de Joux Plane on today's stage. 

Former rider Adam Hansen is president of the CPA, the riders' union. He has worked with organisers to increase safety measures on the descent in light of the crash that claimed the life of Gino Mäder at the Tour de Suisse earlier this year. 

Along with resurfacing the worst parts of the road, organisers have installed signs with audio well before dangerous corners, plus padded barriers next to the large drop-offs. Hansen also went and filmed the descent and uploaded the video for riders to view before the stage. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 55km to go

Dylan van Baarle is leading the Jumbo-Visma juggernaught as Tom Pidcock is struggling at the back of the GC group of 20 riders or so. 

Jumbo are whittling this GC group right down as the gradient of the climb eases across a high alpine plateau. There are 21 riders left at the front here. Wout van Aert hits the front. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 51km to go

Tom Pidcock is fighting with everything he's got in order to stick with this lead group but the gap is starting to open up. Marc Soler (UAE) is also battling to stay in touch for his leader Tadej Pogačar. 

Twenty-six kilometres of descent and flat approach road follow the summit of the Col de la Ramaz before we hit the slopes of the Joux Plane. 

So, there's still time for dropped riders to rejoin the front of the race but it will be hard work with Van Aert pulling on the front. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 50km to go

35 seconds is the gap now, Tom Pidcock fans, over the top of the Ramaz. 

I'd expect him to be able to make that up on this upcoming descent but his weakness on this penultimate climb doesn't bode well for the Joux Plane. 

So here's the situation: 

A select GC group is descending the Col de la Ramaz and approaching the final climb of the Col de Joux Plane. 

Jonas Vingegaard should have Sepp Kuss and Wilco Kelderman with him on the final climb, once Wout van Aert has done his final pull. 

Tadej Pogačar will have Adam Yates, Rafał Majka and Felix Grossschartner. 

Jai Hindley is isolated, as are David Gaudu, Guillaume Martin, Pello Bilbao and Felix Gall. 

Carlos Rodriguez has teammate Jonathan Castroviejo for company but Tom Pidcock is still off the back at 30 seconds. 

Simon Yates and Chris Harper are there for Jayco-AlUla. 

Jumbo-Visma have totally dictated this stage in an impressive show of strength, almost with total contempt for the rest of the race. 

They have set an attritional pace from pretty much the first climb, grinding down the peloton and neutralising any breakaway before it even began. 

The result is that we're left with just 12 riders approaching the final climb. 

The Pidcock group is now 1-11 behind, with Simon Yates also having lost touch on the descent and sitting 13 seconds back from the Wout van Aert led front group. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 30km to go

Wout van Aert is making this look so easy but it's full steam ahead. Riders are pouring bidons of water over themselves in an effort to cool off. 

We're back up to 16 riders at the front as the Simon Yates group of four bridges back up after a big chase effort. 

It's a hot climb, the Joux Plane. Riders will be racing up the south facing slope and there's little in the way of forest cover to shade the riders. It rained earlier today, so heat and humidity will be high. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 28km to go

It's a case of damage limitation for Tom Pidcock now. He is almost two minutes back from the lead group and could see himself slip well down the GC today. 

Choo choo! The Jumbo-Visma mountain train steams through the Alps 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 23km to go

They're onto the Joux Plane now. 

11.6km at 8.5% await. Wilco Kelderman leads the GC group onto the lower slopes with Van Aert, Sepp Kuss and Jonas Vingegaard behind him. 

Rafał Majka now muscles his way to the front and takes it up. Jumbo-Visma are looking at each other and it the first hints of panic start to appear. Van Aert and Kelderman are out of the back and Jumbo have just Sepp Kuss left. 

UAE Team Emirates have been content to sit in the wheels of  Jumbo-Visma all day and they now have the upper hand. Adam Yates is sat alongside Tadej Pogačar as Majka leads on. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 22km to go

Miraculously, somehow, Wout van Aert is riding back up to the front of the bunch! The Belgian was pedalling squares a few minutes ago - dropped and done for the day - but he's now leading the peloton. 

That is quite simply astonishing. 

Van Aert is now turning himself inside out. Majka has been dropped and the tables have turned right back into Jumbo-Visma's favour. 

And now Van Aert is finally done. What a ride that was. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 20km to go

Just seven riders at the head of the race now. Vingegaard and Kuss, Pogačar and Adam Yates, plus Carlos Rodriguez, Jai Hindley and Felix Gall. 

Simon Yates, Guillaume Martin and Pello Bilbao are 30 seconds back. 

A superb ride from the Austrian on Ag2r-Citroen, Felix Gall. He was 14th overall at the start of the day but will shoot up into the top ten by the end of it. 

He was third on the Pyrenean stage to Laruns won by Jai Hindley, if you need reminding. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 18km to go

Sepp Kuss is pacing the leaders up the mountain. Vingegaard and Pogačar locked in the slipstream. 

When will we see the fireworks on this stage? 

This looks primed for an attack from Jonas Vingegaard. Still 5.5km to go on the Joux Plane. Tadej Pogačar grabs a bottle and a bag of ice from the side of the road, drops them both, is then handed a bottle from Adam Yates and pours it over himself. It is definitely hotting up... 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 17km to go

Jai Hindley is starting to crack now. Carlos Rodriguez is clinging on, potentially riding towards third on the GC at the end of the day. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 16km to go

A real poker game going on now. What cards are they all holding? 

Sepp Kuss is done for the day and Adam Yates takes it up. Advantage UAE. 

Just the three are left at the front now: Adam Yates, Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. 

Replays showing that Pogačar gave Yates the nod once he sensed Sepp Kuss's pace was slowing. 

Carlos Rodriguez is riding his own pace just behind the leaders. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 15.7km to go

Pogačar goes with 3.7km to the Joux Plane and Vingegaard has let the wheel go! 

The gap went out with another brutal acceleration from the Slovenian but it has stabilised as the Dane digs in. Around three seconds between them. 

Pogačar and Vingegaard are riding at almost exactly the same pace; that fierce attack is all that separates the two men on the road. 

2.5km to the top... 

Vingegaard is riding a smart race here. He couldn't go with Pogačar's acceleration but he has kept himself from blowing up. The two are basically tied on the virtual GC as it stands. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 13.6km to go

And Vingegaard is back on Pogačar's wheel! 

The two have slowed. Will this be a track sprint for the bonus seconds on the top of the climb!? 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 12.5km to go

These two are shaping up like they're sprinting for the stage finish, but it's for the bonus seconds. Vingegaard just wants to keep Pogačar on his wheel for as long as possible. 

Pogačar attacks with 600m to the summit, but a photographer motorbike is in the way! 

The Slovenian's attack is curtailed and Vingegaard is back on his wheel. 

And now Vingegaard goes! He nabs the bonus seconds over the summit ahead of Pogačar, but Pogačar pushes on over the top. 

That puts another three seconds between first and second in the GC.... 

Meanwhile Carlos Rodriguez has brought back some time and is now 25 seconds behind the lead pair. Jai Hindley crosses the summit 1-30 back. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 9km to go

Adam Yates and Carlos Rodriguez have battled their way through the motorbikes and bridged back to Pogačar and Vingegaard. Advantage Pogačar for the stage win, you have to think.

We're on to the Joux Plane descent now. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 6km to go

Carlos Rodriguez has opened up a small but significant gap on this fast and furious descent. Yates has just lost the wheels of Vingegaard and Pogačar, who are predictably sticking to each other. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 4km to go

Rodriguez is carving up this descent like he's on rails. Ten seconds is his gap and it's hard to see how anybody will catch him. 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 2km to go

Or perhaps not! Pogačar is pushing on at every opportunity and that gap is indeed closing... 

Tour de France 2023 stage 14: 1km to go

Pogačar just overcooked a corner coming into Morzine and that might have handed the advantage to Rodriguez. Yates is back up to the duo and will lead out his team leader. 

Carlos Rodriguez wins stage 14 of the 2023 Tour de France! 

A superb ride from the 22-year-old Spaniard and two in two for Ineos Grenadiers. He looked out of contention when he lost the wheel on the final climb but rode a smart race to bridge back up and push on alone on the descent. 

And Tadej Pogačar leads Jonas Vingegaard across the line, clawing back two seconds on the Dane. 

That means Vingegaard has increased his lead in the GC of the Tour. At the start of the day it was 9 seconds. After a thriller of a day, the gap is now... 10 seconds! 

With that victory, Rodriguez is within a whisker of third place on the GC. Jai Hindley crossed the line almost two minutes down, but the Australian might have just done enough to hold on to the virtual podium. 

What a remarkable day in the mountains. So much to-ing and fro-ing, and in the end only one second gained for Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma. 

I wonder how much more we'll hear about that unfortunate motorbike incident when Pogačar tried to make his move just before the top of the Joux Plane... 

It's a battle of seconds for first and second in the Tour GC, and it's now a battle of seconds for third and fourth. 

Carlos Rodriguez has leapfrogged Jai Hindley in the GC and leads the Australian by just one second. 

🤫The silence is deafening.🤫Un silence qui en dit long. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/a1EXI1Y73j July 15, 2023

Another chapter in what is shaping up to be a rivalry for the ages. 

Pogačar vs Vingegaard. The battle resumes tomorrow!

Tour de France 2023, stage 14 result

1. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa) Ineos Grenadiers

2. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates  at 5 seconds 

3. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma at same time

4. Adam Yates (GBr) UAE Team Emirates at 10 seconds 

5. Sepp Kuss (USA) Jumbo-Visma at 57 seconds 

6. Jai Hindley (Aus) Bora-Hansgrohe at 1-46

7. Felix Gall (Aut) Ag2r-Citroen at same time 

8. Pello Bilbao (Spa) Bahrain Victorious at 3-19

9. Simon Yates (GBr) Jayco-AlUla at 3-21

10. Guillaume Martin (Fra) Cofidis at 5-57

Tour de France 2023: GC after stage 14

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma in 57-47-28

2. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates at 10 seconds 

3. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa) Ineos Grenadiers at 4-43

4. Jai Hindley (Aus) Bora-Hansgrohe at 4-44

5. Adam Yates (GBr) UAE Team Emirates at 5-20

6. Sepp Kuss (USA) Jumbo-Visma at 8-15

7. Simon Yates (GBr) Jayco-AlUla at 8-32

8. Pello Bilbao (Spa) Bahrain Victorious at 8-51

9. Felix Gall (Aut) Ag2r-Citroen at 12-26

10. David Gaudu (Fra) Groupama-FDJ at 12-56

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Tour de France places bonus sprints atop mountain passes to encourage attacks

8 bonus points including atop Galibier and Iseran

When the 1996 Tour de France route was being designed, then race director Jean-Marie Leblanc mulled over the idea of re-introducing time bonuses atop mountain passes to encourage more aggressive racing. The plan was quietly discarded, however, amid concerns that it would be perceived as an express attempt to thwart Miguel Indurain's bid for a record sixth Tour victory. And, as it turned out, mountaintop time bonuses were not required to unseat Indurain, whose run of dominance was ended by Bjarne Riis the following summer.

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Twenty-three years on, the measure will finally be implemented, as race director Christian Prudhomme confirmed on Thursday that the 2019 Tour de France will feature eight bonus sprints placed atop climbs over the course of the three weeks. "These are," he said, "invitations to attack."

In 2018, bonus seconds were awarded to the first three riders at special sprints on the first eight road stages. In 2019, the same rewards – of 3 seconds, 2 seconds and 1 second – will be on offer, but the bonus points have been placed in more strategically important locations. As was the case this year, these special, time bonus sprints will not count towards the points classification.

"Last year, we had eight bonus points, but they were on flat stages. This time around, we'll put them on the top of the hills and cols, and on stages where there will be a fight for the general classification," said Tour de France technical director Thierry Gouvenou.

"There will be eight bonus points, often close to the finish, like on the Galibier or the Iseran. We have placed bonus seconds at points where the racing will be really intense, to reward attacking riders."

The first bonus point of the 2019 Tour comes on stage 3 atop the Côte de Montigny, 15km from the finish in Épernay. On stage 6, the Tour's first mountain leg to La Planche des Belles Filles, the bonus point comes atop the Col des Chevrères with 19km to go.

On stage 8, the bonus point comes atop the Côte de la Jaillière, which precedes the drop to the finish in Saint-Etienne. A day later, the Côte de Saint-Just – the final climb on the road to Brioude – is the site of the bonus point.

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There are two further bonus points in the Pyrenees, on the climb of Hourquette d'Ancizan on the road to Bagneres-de-Bigorre on stage 12, and atop the Mur de Péguère, the climb preceding the summit finish at Prat d'Albis on stage 15.

The Tour traverses the Alps in its final days, meanwhile, and there will be bonus seconds on offer atop the Col du Galibier on the road to Valloire on stage 18. The following day, the Col d'Iseran – some 2,770 metres above sea level – will also feature the eighth and final bonus point of the Tour.

Mountain high

With summit finishes at the Col du Tourmalet, Tignes and Val Thorens, this will be the first Tour in history to feature three mountaintop finishes with altitudes in excess of 2,000 metres , but Gouvenou warned against placing too much emphasis on the race's demanding finale in the high Alps.

The route designer pointed to the back-to-back summit finishes in the Pyrenees on the race's third weekend as a pivotal moment in the 2018 Tour. After finishing atop the Tourmalet for the third time in Tour history on stage 14, the peloton tackles the climb of Prat d'Albis above Foix for the very first time. Though just 1,205 metres in altitude, the climb is 11.8km in length with an average gradient of 6.9%, including sustained pitches above 10% around a third of the way up.

"It's the novelty of this Tour," Gouvenou said. "It's a typical Pyrenean road, the gradient is irregular, and it will hurt riders. People talk a lot about the high-altitude finishes, but I think the key to the race is the Pyrenees with the two successive summit finishes."

The big weekend in the Pyrenees is preceded by the Tour's lone individual time trial, a rolling 27km test around Pau. The rest of the Tour's racing against the clock comes in the form of a 27km team time trial in Brussels on stage 2. The careful rationing of time trialling kilometres is in keeping with the recent trend on the Tour.

"Everybody has noted that the gaps are getting smaller and smaller between the big favourites in the mountains," Gouvenou explained. "If we make the time trials too long, the race will be decided by the time trials."

It remains to be seen what impact, if any, the dearth of time trialling will have on Tom Dumoulin's racing programme for 2019, given that next year's Giro is slated to have three individual time trials on the route. Gouvenou, however, evinced confidence that the Dutchman would not be dissuaded from riding the Tour. "Dumoulin does not need a time trial to win a Tour," he said. "He has already proven that he is also a strong climber."

2021 Grand Départ in Copenhagen?

Nice has already been confirmed as the host of the 2020 Grand Départ, while Copenhagen has put forward its candidacy to welcome the Tour to Denmark for the first time in 2021. Confirmation of the location of the 2021 Grand Départ is not expected until early next year, but Christian Prudhomme appeared to give a vote of confidence to Copenhagen when asked about its prospects by a Danish broadcaster.

"You heard what ASO president Jean-Etienne Amaury said in his speech: we want to intensify the link between daily bike use and cycling champions," Prudhomme said, adding: "You have a city that knows how to do that."

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Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation , published by Gill Books.

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