tour de basque 2023 stage 6

As it happened: Itzulia Basque Country final stage

All the action from the short and explosive final stage in Eibar

Jonas Vingegaard seals Itzulia Basque Country title with rampaging third stage win

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the final stage of the 2023 Itzulia Basque Country

The stage is waved underway and this has the potential to be a breathless final day of racing. 

Jimmy Jansens (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R) are the first attackers but it's a zippy start and no one is going anywhere for now. 

After 10km we start the climbing fest, and it barely lets up, with seven significant climbs on today's menu. 

We're about to hit the first climb, the short cat-3 Elkorrieta. 

It's 2.6km at an average gradient of 6.7%

After that, it's pretty much straight onto the more serious task of the cat-1 Azurki, which measures 5.1km at 7.4%

These climbs should provide the launchpad for a breakaway but we should see some big names try to move early on a treacherous finale.

We reach the top of Elkorrieta and Caja Rural's Jon Barrenetxea, who's already in the mountains jersey, skips away to bolster his lead in that classification. 

We have more attacks on Azurki, which should see some sort of break form. 

We have a strong nine-man move going clear:

Steven Kruijswijk, Attila Valter (Jumbo-Visma)

Valentin Paret-Peintre (AG2R)

Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe)

Harm Vanhoucke (DSM)

Esteban Chaves (EF Education-EasyPost)

Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ)

Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar) 

Felix Großschartner (UAE Team Emirates)

Interesting to see two Jumbo riders in there, and two strong ones at that. Vingegaard is using two domestiques as pawns who can potentially be called upon later on today. It shows the Dutch team aren't going to purely try and stifle and control this race, but roll with its inherent chaos. 

We have another group going clear of the bunch now. In there we see:

James Knox, Andrea Bagioli (Soudal-QuickStep)

Dani Martinez (Ineos)

Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla)

Amanuel Gebreigzabhier (Trek-Segafredo)

Marc Hirschi (UAE) is also on the move.

Those two groups have merged in the upper slopes of the climb, but Grossschartner and Gebreigzabhier have been dropped. 

Rein Taaramae (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) is another rider up the road. We'll bring you the full and final composition shortly as it looks like this is sticking.

Over the top of the Azurki climb and these riders have opened two minutes on the peloton. 

Kruijswijk led the race over the top of the Azkuri climb. 

We have 12 riders reported in the front group now:

Dani Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers)

Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates)

Rein Taaramae (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty)

100km to go

37km gone and we reach the bottom of the Azurki descent. It's now time for the Gorla climb, which is 9.6km long at 5.7%. 

The peloton has picked up the pace and the gap nudges down to 1:35. 

The best-placed GC rider in this breakaway is Buchmann, who started the day 15th at 1:37. He is on the cusp of being the virtual overall leader on the road. 

Over the Gorla climb and it's Guerreiro who's first to the top this time. The Portuguese rider moves to 14 points overall, 21 shy of Barrenetxea's mountains classification lead. There are just about enough points left on the road to make him a threat. 

The gap between break and bunch stands at 1:40. 

The riders have come off the Gorla descent and are now riding back into Eibar on a rare bit of sustained flat. After that, though, it's out for the fearsome Krabelin climb. 

Onto Krabelin now and this will sting, 5km long at 9.6%.

The gap has come down on the flat, and it ducks below the minute mark. 

The breakaway explodes on this steep climb. Kruijswijk, Chaves, and Guerreiro go clear.

This trio come into the final kilometre of the Krabelin and most of the other breakaway riders have been caught by the bunch. 

Hermann Pernsteiner is leading the bunch for Bahrain and second-placed Mikel Landa, with Vingegaard poised in second wheel.

Guerreiro leads the race to the top of the Krabelin, adding 10 more points to his mountains classification tally. That takes him to 24 points and 11 shy of the KOM jersey. There's another cat-1 climb and two more cat-3s, so a maximum total of 16 points left. 

Valter is trying to get back to the front three on the descent. He's one of the very few to hang on on that climb.

Valter joins them to make it four out front, two of them Jumbo-Visma riders. They've played this perfectly so far. 

65km and three climbs to go and the situation is as follows:

- 4-man break: Valter, Kruijswijk, Chaves, Guerreiro 

- Reduced Peloton: led by Bahrain Victorious, at 45 seconds

The gap nudges down to 35 seconds. Pernsteiner is doing a hell of a ride for Landa so far. 

Nature break for the race leader and the gap to the break goes back out to one minute. 

Into the final 50 and our four-man break has a lead of one minute over the reduced bunch. 

We're now heading towards the Trabakua climb, which is 3.3km long at 7.1%

We have a counter-attack now, with Mauro Schmid (QuickStep), Igor Arrieta (Kern Pharma), and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) trying to bridge to the break.

The leaders - Kruijswijk, Valter, Guerreiro, Chaves - hit the Trabakua climb.

Chaves leads the front group over the top of the climb - surprising not to see Guerreiro any higher than third there. Just the one point for him there and he'll have to be first to the top of the next cat-1 climb to take the KOM jersey.

Cofidis have lent a hand to the chase as the gap to the bunch goes out to 1:25.

Mauro Schmid is the last survivor from that counter-attack and he's not farr off the front of the race here.

Schmid makes it in! Five out front now. 

Chaves accelerates on a punchy ramp. 

Schmid goes after him and the others are flagging and looking at each other.

Valter is dropped as Guerreiro and Kruijswijk work their way back.

Simon Geschke is leading the bunch, working for Cofidis' Ion Iazguirre, who started the day 6th at 34 seconds. 

Two proper climbs remaining and we should see some fireworks on the Izua, the next cat-1 ascent. Landa and others have to do something there. 

Valter comes back as cooperation wanes up front. Chaves is looking for assistance but not finding much.

Chaves is waving his arms in remonstration. He's not happy with the others here. Kruijswijk and Valter have an excuse - their leader is in the bunch behind, but the other two are trying to hide for now. 

Schmid attacks!

That's Chaves' worst nightmare. He was shouldering the work, complaining, only to be hit by a sly attack.

The road tilts uphill ahead of our next climb. Schmid has found 30 seconds on the rest of the break. The bunch are a further 45 seconds down.

Groupama-FDJ have appeared on the front of the bunch - first we've seen of them today (although they did try to post a man in the break earlier). They have David Gaudu fourth overall at 32 seconds.

Chaves lights it up and Valter is dropped again. 

Schmid started the day 16th at 1:40. He's slipping now, though, as the others come back to within 20 seconds.

The climb begins!

Izua is 4.1km long at 9.2%

Chaves keeps the pressure on and the others are struggling.

Vingegaard attacks!

The race leader pings out as the bunch hit the climb

Vingegaard finds Valter, who lends some support. 

Enric Mas goes after Vingegaard but no one else can live with him at the moment.

Vingegaard uses Valter and now finds Kruijswijk. Expert stuff from Jumbo-Visma so far. 

Kruijswijk is used up and now Vingegaard goes again!!!

Vicious acceleration and Mas can't follow this one. Luckily he has his own satellite rider from the break, Guerreiro, who he leans on now.

Vingegaard works his way over to Chaves and Schmid. That's the front of the race.

Still 1500 metres to the top of this climb and Vingegaard comes through and drops both Chaves and Guerreiro. 

Mas leaves Guerreiro and sets off in pursuit. Landa, Izaguirre, and Higuita are further behind.

Vingegaard heads to the top of the climb, amid a sea of Basque fans. A pre-taster of this year's Tour de France start.

26.8km to go

Vingegaard leads the race alone over the peak of Izua. He has around 35 seconds in hand.

40 seconds is the gap to the next group, which includes most of the other big names now banded together.

In the chase are:

Landa, Izaguirre, Mas, Higuita, Chaves, Schmid. There's also Simon Yates just about staying in contact and a couple of others who joined at the top.

Vingegaard is nailing this sweeping descent. The gap grows to 45 seconds and this is an emphatic final-day display.

One climb remains after this descent, the Ukaregi, but it's only a cat-3 climb. 

55 seconds for Vingegaard now as he prepares to start the final climb. This is done.

The Urkaregi climb begins. It's 5km long at 4.8%.

Vingegaard extends his lead on the lower slopes - 1:18 now!

Brandon McNulty (UAE) has attacked from the chase with Felix Gall (AG2R).

Mas eases out as the rest of the chase scrambles after the two attackers. The real race is now the one for the podium.

Izaguirre attacks after Mas dragged him, Landa, and Higuita across.

Gaudu and Yates can't follow - they're not at their usual level here.

Vingegaard still has 1:18 as he enters the final kilometre of this climb. 

Gaudu, Yates, and James Knox make it back up to that chase group.

12.5km to go

Izaguirre attacks again as Vingegaard goes over the top of the Urkaregi climb.

Nothing doing as the chase remains together. 

A short descent now then a light drag to the finish. Vingegaard is sailing to stage and overall honours.

Final 10km and this is just about the minor podium places now. 

Vingegaard is making no mistake on this descent. His lead dips to 1:14 but he's just 7km away from victory.

Vingegaard finishes the descent and pops out into Eibar, just the final few kilometres to tick off. 

5km to go and the gap is down to one minute, but the chasers are all looking at each other.

Chaves attacks! 

He only got back on on the descent. He's been in the break all day. What a ride

Schmid - also back in - marks him. Deja vu. And the chase comes back together.

Knox is the next to attack from the chase.

2km to go for Vingegaard.

He's blowing kisses to the camera

Here he comes, into the barriers and into the final 300m.

Vingegaard sits up, raises his arms wide, and crosses the line. He wins the stage and the overall.

Knox is still away and comes in for second place. He might gain some positions here

But the rest of the chase come close in the final straight, with Izaguirre taking third place.

"It was a hard day, but a really good day for us," Vingegaard says after sealing his first week-long stage race victory at WorldTour level.

"Once again I have to thank my teammates, today they were amazing, they really locked up the race, having two guys in the break. We did a perfect job today I think. 

"I was thinking if I have to go it's on the second last climb because last one was not hard enough to make a big difference. I had the legs and I wanted to try."

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Itzulia - Tour of the Basque Country 2023

Eibar (esp) -> eibar (esp).

© Images by itzulia.eus

Itzulia - Tour of the Basque Country

Itzulia Basque Challenge

Special edition, official jersey of itzulia basque challenge, images of itzulia 2022.

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• Itzulia Basque Country
•   »  

• 1 MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe
• 2 BERNAL Egan
• 3 CASTROVIEJO Jonathan
• 4 FRAILE Omar
• 5 HAYTER Ethan *
• 6 RIVERA Brandon Smith (DNF #6)
• 7 PLAPP Luke * (DNF #6)

• 11 VENDRAME Andrea (DNF #6)
• 12 BAUDIN Alex * (OTL #6)
• 13 GALL Felix *
• 14 HÄNNINEN Jaakko (DNS #1)
• 15 WARBASSE Larry
• 16 PARET-PEINTRE Valentin *
• 17 PRODHOMME Nicolas (DNF #6)

• 21 OLDANI Stefano * (DNF #4)
• 22 BAYER Tobias *
• 23 CONCI Nicola (DNF #5)
• 24 HERMANS Quinten
• 25 JANSSENS Jimmy
• 26 RIESEBEEK Oscar (DNS #4)
• 27 STANNARD Robert * (DNF #5)

• 31 RODRÍGUEZ Cristián
• 32 CHAMPOUSSIN Clément * (DNF #6)
• 33 GUERNALEC Thibault (DNF #6)
• 34 GUGLIELMI Simon
• 35 RIES Michel *
• 36 RIOU Alan (DNF #6)
• 37 VERRE Alessandro * (DNF #2)

• 41 SÁNCHEZ Luis León
• 42 MOSCON Gianni (DNS #5)
• 43 DE LA CRUZ David
• 44 FELLINE Fabio (DNF #5)
• 45 ZEITS Andrey
• 46 ROMO Javier * (DNF #3)
• 47 SCARONI Christian (DNS #4)

• 51 BUCHMANN Emanuel
• 52 ALEOTTI Giovanni *
• 53 HIGUITA Sergio
• 54 LÜHRS Luis-Joe * (DNF #5)
• 55 PALZER Anton
• 56 SCHELLING Ide * (DNF #6)
• 57 LIPOWITZ Florian *

• 61 IZAGIRRE Ion
• 62 CHAMPION Thomas * (DNF #6)
• 63 GESCHKE Simon
• 64 HERRADA José
• 65 LASTRA Jonathan
• 66 ROCHAS Rémy
• 67 WOOD Harrison * (DNF #3)

• 71 STORK Florian
• 72 COMBAUD Romain
• 73 DINHAM Matthew *
• 74 LEKNESSUND Andreas *
• 75 TUSVELD Martijn
• 76 VANHOUCKE Harm
• 77 VANDENABEELE Henri * (DNF #5)

• 81 CARAPAZ Richard (DNF #5)
• 82 AMADOR Andrey
• 83 CAICEDO Jonathan Klever
• 84 CHAVES Esteban
• 85 EIKING Odd Christian
• 86 KUDUS Merhawi
• 87 URÁN Rigoberto

• 91 GAUDU David
• 92 ARMIRAIL Bruno
• 93 GRÉGOIRE Romain *
• 94 LADAGNOUS Matthieu
• 95 PACHER Quentin
• 96 STORER Michael
• 97 VAN DEN BERG Lars * (OTL #6)

• 101 COSTA Rui (DNF #6)
• 102 CALMEJANE Lilian
• 103 PAQUOT Tom * (DNF #4)
• 104 HUYS Laurens *
• 105 SMITH Dion
• 106 TAARAMÄE Rein
• 107 ZIMMERMANN Georg

• 111 YATES Simon
• 112 CRADDOCK Lawson
• 113 DUNBAR Eddie
• 114 HARPER Chris (DNF #6)
• 115 JUUL-JENSEN Christopher
• 116 MAAS Jan
• 117 SOBRERO Matteo

• 121 MAS Enric
• 122 GUERREIRO Ruben
• 123 ARANBURU Alex
• 124 ARCAS Jorge
• 125 OLIVEIRA Nelson
• 126 SERRANO Gonzalo
• 127 IZAGIRRE Gorka

• 131 CAVAGNA Rémi
• 132 BAGIOLI Andrea * (DNF #6)
• 133 DEVENYNS Dries (DNF #6)
• 134 KNOX James
• 135 SCHMID Mauro *
• 136 SVRČEK Martin * (DNF #6)
• 137 CATTANEO Mattia

• 141 LANDA Mikel
• 142 BILBAO Pello (DNS #2)
• 143 ARASHIRO Yukiya (DNF #6)
• 144 KEPPLINGER Rainer (DNF #6)
• 145 PERNSTEINER Hermann
• 146 SÜTTERLIN Jasha (DNF #6)
• 147 ZAMBANINI Edoardo *

• 151 GALLOPIN Tony
• 152 ABERASTURI Jon (DNF #6)
• 153 GHEBREIGZABHIER Amanuel
• 154 SKJELMOSE Mattias *
• 155 MOLLEMA Bauke
• 156 LÓPEZ Juan Pedro
• 157 TESFATSION Natnael * (DNF #6)

• 161 VINGEGAARD Jonas
• 162 DENNIS Rohan (DNF #4)
• 163 HOFSTEDE Lennard (DNF #6)
• 164 KRUIJSWIJK Steven
• 165 LEEMREIZE Gijs *
• 166 OOMEN Sam
• 167 VALTER Attila *

• 171 MCNULTY Brandon *
• 172 HIRSCHI Marc *
• 173 FORMOLO Davide (DNF #6)
• 174 GROßSCHARTNER Felix (DNF #6)
• 175 VINK Michael
• 176 SOLER Marc (DNF #2)
• 177 NOVAK Domen

• 181 OKAMIKA Ander
• 182 ARDILA Andrés Camilo * (DNF #5)
• 183 ANGULO Antonio (DNF #6)
• 184 DÍAZ José Manuel (DNF #6)
• 185 EZQUERRA Jesús (DNS #4)
• 186 LANGELLOTTI Victor
• 187 NAVARRO Daniel (DNF #6)

• 191 MURGUIALDAY Jokin * (DNF #6)
• 192 AULAR Orluis (DNS #6)
• 193 BALDERSTONE Abel *
• 194 BARRENETXEA Jon *
• 195 CEPEDA Jefferson Alveiro (DNF #6)
• 196 NICOLAU Joel
• 197 PRADES Eduard (DNF #5)

• 201 LÓPEZ Jordi *
• 202 AGIRRE Jon (DNF #6)
• 203 ARRIETA Igor *
• 204 CARBONI Giovanni
• 205 ELOSEGUI Iñigo * (DNS #6)
• 206 GARCÍA PIERNA Carlos * (OTL #6)
• 207 RUIZ Ibon *

• 211 BIZKARRA Mikel
• 212 BOU Joan
• 213 CANAL Carlos * (DNF #6)
• 214 ETXEBERRIA Asier * (DNF #6)
• 215 IRIBAR Unai *
• 216 JUARISTI Txomin
• 217 MARTÍN Gotzon

• 221 DE LA PARTE Víctor
• 222 BURGAUDEAU Mathieu *
• 223 CABOT Jérémy
• 224 CRAS Steff (DNF #6)
• 225 JOUSSEAUME Alan *
• 226 LATOUR Pierre (DNF #6)
• 227 VUILLERMOZ Alexis (DNF #2)
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Itzulia Basque Country Route, Stages and Results 2023

• Giro d'Italia

TV Guide - Where and When to watch Itzulia Basque Country 2023

From the 3rd to 8th of April 2023 the riders will tackle one of the most complicated stage-races in the World Tour calendar: Itzulia Basque Country . The six-day stage-race will see some of the world's best climbers fight in holy cycling land, the Basque Country. Here's where and when to watch the race.

You will be able to follow the race within the traditional channels, online via the GCN+, Discovery+ and Eurosport Player subscriptions. This also includes Eurosport on TV.

Profiles & Route Itzulia Basque Country 2023

Estimated start and finish times for Itzulia Basque Country stages:

Stage 1: 14:20 - 18:30CET

Stage 2: 13:40 - 18:30CET

Stage 3: 14:40 - 18:30CET

Stage 4: 14:00 - 18:30CET

Stage 5: 14:20 - 18:30CET

Stage 6: 15:00 - 18:30CET

PREVIEW | Itzulia Basque Country 2023 - Vingegaard, Mas, Landa and Gaudu headline exciting and explosive week of racing

Prize money 2023 itzulia basque country - €99.000 in total, read more about:, place comments.

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UNDER_ARTICLE

Wed 01 May 2024

Thu 02 May 2024

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: our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages

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Cycling Tourism Nature and Outdoor Activities Sporting Activities Mountains

Reading time: 0 min Published on 4 December 2023, updated on 15 April 2024

The most famous cycle race in the world, the Tour de France will be taking to the skies once again this year, as the 3,404km and 21 stages will take in all 5 of France's mountain ranges! The Pyrenees, the Auvergne volcanoes, the Jura mountains, the Alps and the Vosges massif... The peloton has plenty of pedalling to do and plenty of climbing to do. The grandiose landscapes, the high altitude finishes and the dizzying descents promise to be emotional highs. To experience the highs (and lows) of the Grand Loop, saddle up with our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages.

From Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque, the Pyrenees take centre stage

After 3 stages on the Spanish side, welcome to the French Pyrenees! First there's Bayonne and the Basque country, Dax and its thermal baths, Pau and its beautiful castle where King Henry IV was born. And then there's Tarbes, with its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, its palm-lined streets (yes, yes!) and its gourmet markets. The riders of the 2023 Tour de France will need a lot of courage to tear themselves away from this gentle way of life and tackle the climbs of the Aspin and terrible Tourmalet cols . The reward for all this climbing is a finish on the Cambasque plateau, overlooking the charming resort of Cauterets, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, where the Pic du Midi is enthroned. Want to cool off? Try the hike to the peaceful Lac d'Ilhéou . In a green setting with magnificent views and waterfalls, picnics and swimming...

The Puy de Dôme, a feast for the eyes in Auvergne

The ascent of Puy de Dôme, the undisputed star of the Auvergne, will be one of the highlights of the 2023 Tour de France! The youngest and highest volcano in the Puys chain has not featured on the itinerary for 35 years. Taking on this fearsome and majestic peak and finishing with a 360° view over the gentle rolling hills of the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is sure to motivate many a rider! But did you know that you can also climb this peaceful giant by mule track or on board the Panoramique des Dômes, a picturesque little cogwheel train? In just 15 minutes, you'll be transported to an altitude of 1,465 m, with the 80 volcanoes of the Puy range and the Limagne fault (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site at your feet. To complete a stage that's full of fireworks, the Vulcania Park is not far away! Who can beat that?

Breathtaking escapes in the Jura

Expect to fall under the spell of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne! Just 1 hour from Lyon and the Monts du Beaujolais, this small town in the Ain département, from which the Tour de France 2023 peloton will set off on 14 July, is a delightful medieval town. With its pink stone houses, flower-bedecked bridges and old market hall housing one of France's most popular traditional markets, it is also the gateway to the Dombes region, a paradise for fish farmers and birdwatchers with its landscapes of water and ponds. Take advantage of this area on foot, by boat or, ideally, by bike (it's flat!), before taking to the heights of the Montagnes du Jura , just a stone's throw away. The Pyramide du Bugey, from the top of which you can see Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, is a must-see. The Tour de France riders attack it via the Col du Grand Colombier. At top speed. Take your time, the panorama is well worth it!

In the Alps, between lakes and legendary passes

It's doubtful that the riders will enjoy the view of Lake Geneva as they take their first pedal to the metal in the Alps at Annemasse on stage 14 of the Tour de France 2023. We recommend this one, though, as well as the view of Lake Annecy and its turquoise waters. Then it's time for a series of twists and turns and climbs to the legendary passes of the Alps, including the famous Col du Feu, an unprecedented climb for the peloton. At an altitude of 1,000 metres, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, the stage finish in Morzine won't dampen the spirits of those who love nature. In summer, the little village resort in the Alps is an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor activities : a stroll along the Dérêches river, swimming in Lake Montriond, canyoning or via ferrata... the hardest thing will be to choose.

From Gets to Saint-Gervais, Mont Blanc in your sights

For the first time since its creation, the Tour de France will start from Les Gets. Well-known to mountain bikers (the World Championships were held there in 2022), the pretty Alpine resort will kick off a 15th stage during which you'll need to have plenty of breath. The Col de la Forclaz-Montmin is on the programme. So allow yourself a break at its belvedere for a bird's-eye view of Lake Annecy before setting off again for Saint-Gervais, at the foot of Mont-Blanc. If you want to reach the highest peak in the Alps, this village resort, with its well-preserved heritage and traditions, is the ideal place to stop. And its thermal baths, renowned for the many benefits of their waters, set the well-being at the summit in a magnificent green setting.

Courchevel, star of the Alps

The regulars call it Courch' and they come and go summer and winter as connoisseurs, just like the Tour de France caravan which is visiting the Savoyard resort for the 4th time. Welcome to the pinnacle of top-of-the-range skiing in the Alps, at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area. Courchevel tops the list not only for the size of its ski area (Méribel and Val Thorens are its famous neighbours) but also for its range of hotels (no fewer than 5 mountain palaces , from the Apogée to the Cheval Blanc, not forgetting the K2 Palace, Airelles and the Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges) and restaurants. So, with its 6 hamlets and the surrounding area, the resort has a lot to offer. Take a selfie at the top of La Saulire, take a stroll down to Lac de la Rosière, cycle down the Bike Park, spend the night in the Lacs Merlet refuge or hike through the heart of the Vallée des Avals... You're going to love it!

Full steam ahead in the Vosges

Between the Lorraine plateau and the Alsace plain, the Vosges massif lives up to its reputation: a perfect blend of nature, wide open spaces, traditions and local produce, crafts and fine cheeses. Between the Grand Ballon d'Alsace and the Petit Ballon, via the famous Col de la Schlucht, the Tour de France 2023 will be taking a break from the normality of the mountains, with a new finish on the slopes of the Markstein, in the welcoming family resort of Marlstein Fellering. In the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park , you can enjoy bucolic hikes, tobogganing in the mountain pastures, paragliding with a view, and mountain biking (or mountain bikes) in a landscape of absolute serenity. And for those with a sweet tooth, July is the peak of blueberry season (and the season for tarts in the farm inns).

And (finally) Paris.... and the Olympics!

Will the riders be in Olympic form for the triumphant finish on the Champs-Elysées on 23 July 2023? Just one year ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris , the route will certainly provide a magnificent prologue to the sporting event. Starting in Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, all the future Olympic venues in the Yvelines département will be on the peloton's final route. A gigantic loop will join the Colline d'Elancourt (where the mountain bike events will take place), the Golf National in Guyancourt and the Château de Versailles , which will host the equestrian events and part of the modern pentathlon competitions. A prestigious line-up of finishers for a Tour de France 2023 that's sure to be at the top of its game!

Find out more:

More information on the route of the Tour de France 2023 and nearby tourist attractions

5 minutes to find out all about the Tour de France 9 mountain skills to discover

By Redactie France.fr

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Tour de France

Tour de france stage 6: another one for the sprinters, flat stage suits green jersey contenders, but positioning will be crucial..

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 6 — Thursday, July 4 Mâcon to Dijon Distance: 163.5km (102 miles) Profile: Flat stage

Stage 6: Flat stage suits green jersey contenders

The sprinters will be smiling again with a second consecutive day suited to a big bunch finish. The stage from Mâcon to Dijon is almost completely flat, with the sole categorized climb just 1.8km in length and at a gentle 5.7 percent gradient.

This comes 10 kilometers after the start and looks like the likely launching site for a long-distance breakaway which will try to hold off the sprinters’ teams to the line.

The view of Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme: “Fans of medieval architecture will be treated to aerial images of Cluny Abbey and much more. The breakaway will set off with the ambition of holding off the peloton’s pursuit though the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise, but the sprinters should have the last word on the 800-meter straight into the prefecture of the Côte-d’Or.”

Tour of the Basque Country 2023

Top 5 Tour of the Basque Country 2023 1. Jonas Vingegaard 2. Mikel Landa + 1.12 3. Ion Izagirre + 1.29 4. David Gaudu + 1.31 5. Enric Mas + 1.36

Read about the route and the start list of the 2023 Itzulia Basque Country.

Another interesting read: records & winners Itzulia Basque Country.

Please click links in below schema for results/reports and in-depth information on the individual stages.

Tour of the Basque Country 2023 stages:

Tour of the basque country 2023: route, profiles, more.

Click on the images to zoom

Tour of the Basque Country 2023: Solo triumph Vingegaard highlights impeccable GC win

Tour of the Basque Country 2023: Higuita wins group sprint, Vingegaard still leader

Tour of the Basque Country 2023: Vingegaard outsprints Landa to extend lead

Tour of the Basque Country 2023: Vingegaard wins and takes GC lead in steep vineyard climb

Tour of the Basque Country 2023: Schelling sprints to triumph and race lead