Tour de France 2023: The Route

blazing_saddles
blazing_saddles Posts: 22,722
edited October 2022 in Pro race
It’s on Thursday. Live coverage from 10-30am.
Other than the Grand Depart being in Bilbao, not a lot has leaked from ASO HQ.
It’s logical to surmise that the Pyrenees will be tackled much earlier than usual, so probably not the toughest of challenges. Which perhaps lends weight to the rumour of a long awaited return to the Puy de Dome.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments

  • "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,540
    Locals sound pretty certain about the Col de la Loze from the Meribel side.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,086
    Sounds like the Puy de Dome will be closed to fans - I assume that includes on foot as it's pretty easy to walk to the top.

    It's a lovely part of the world and great cycling - tempting to plan a trip.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,540

    Sounds like the Puy de Dome will be closed to fans - I assume that includes on foot as it's pretty easy to walk to the top.

    It's a lovely part of the world and great cycling - tempting to plan a trip.

    It'll be interesting to see how the logistics work on the Puy de Dome given the narrowness of the road, and there not being much parking at the top. Presumably motor bike support for mechanicals, no team cars, and then the riders might descend in the funicular having met a soigneur at the top.

    i think it is suited to an ITT, starting outside the cathedral in Clermont.

    As you say though, it's an area worth visiting with some decent cycling.
  • Some interesting speculation here:

    https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/cyclisme/carte-tour-de-france-2023-decouvrez-le-parcours-probable-de-la-110e-edition-1666172393

    Of particular interest is what potentially happens after the Alps:

    After the Alps, the Tour de France will head east before reaching the capital. Two stages are planned in Franche-Comté and in the Jura. The 19th stage could start from Moirans-en-Montagne for a finish in Poligny or Saint-Claude. If the city of arrival is not certain, the main hotel in the sector, in Poligny, is full for the night of July 20 to 21.

    The penultimate stage should start from Belfort and an arrival at Markstein via the Grand Ballon is strongly anticipated. A nice look at the Tour de France women: the penultimate stage ended last year in this mountain resort in the Haut-Rhin, at 1,183 meters above sea level.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • This is supposed to be the final mountain stage in the Vosges, although we will know for sure in a few hours.


    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,540
    Puy de Dome is in, as is Col de la Loze.
  • It’s another big TDF production that ultimately is delivering very little information beyond start and finishing towns, plus the main climbs.

    At least the women’s presentation included profiles.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,540
    edited October 2022
    Annemasse to Morzine for the Etape, will include the Ramaz and Joux Plane. 152 kms and 4,100 m elevation
    https://img.aso.fr/epreuvedemasse/img-etapedutour-jpg/edt23-profil-etape-14-25oct-jpg/1108/0:31,1502:1032-1000-0-70/63535
  • The Vosges stage isn't as tough as predicted. No Grand Ballon so it's unlikely that it will effect the GC. Done and dusted by 17, given there's no ITT.
    Talking of which, on 22kms against the clock and much of that is uphill.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Is it 6 flat stages in a row?
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,540

    Is it 6 flat stages in a row?

    I don't think so, as the 2/3 stages in the Massif Central certainly aren't flat.
  • One thing I have noticed is how short most of the mountain stages are: 4 are under 152kms.
    The longest stage is only 208kms.
    Not very grand.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • gweeds
    gweeds Posts: 2,613

    One thing I have noticed is how short most of the mountain stages are: 4 are under 152kms.
    The longest stage is only 208kms.
    Not very grand.

    Maybe a reaction to some of the more interesting mountain stages not being as long as those in previous years. Makes for more exciting and less attritional racing (or so goes the theory).

    Only 1 mountain stage for the women is shit. They deserve much better than they're getting.
    Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,460
    gweeds said:

    One thing I have noticed is how short most of the mountain stages are: 4 are under 152kms.
    The longest stage is only 208kms.
    Not very grand.

    Maybe a reaction to some of the more interesting mountain stages not being as long as those in previous years. Makes for more exciting and less attritional racing (or so goes the theory).

    Only 1 mountain stage for the women is censored . They deserve much better than they're getting.
    I think the successful formula has tended to be a short day before or after a longer one though.

    As for the women's race, I suspect that is a reaction to this year's race where the first set of mountains basically killed the GC race.
  • Is it 6 flat stages in a row?

    I am more concerned by the fact that 3 of the last 4 stages are flat and therefore pretty much irrelevant.
    Not sure what the thinking was there unless they actually want the race to end in an anti climax.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,722
    edited October 2022
    Pross said:

    gweeds said:

    One thing I have noticed is how short most of the mountain stages are: 4 are under 152kms.
    The longest stage is only 208kms.
    Not very grand.

    Maybe a reaction to some of the more interesting mountain stages not being as long as those in previous years. Makes for more exciting and less attritional racing (or so goes the theory).

    Only 1 mountain stage for the women is censored . They deserve much better than they're getting.
    I think the successful formula has tended to be a short day before or after a longer one though.

    As for the women's race, I suspect that is a reaction to this year's race where the first set of mountains basically killed the GC race.
    It's crazy that both races have the identical number of ITT kilometres.
    As for the women's race, it's just delaying the inevitable.
    I doubt there will be more than a small handful left at the top of the Aspin and AvV will ride away early on the Tourmalet and gain minutes over the field.
    If she wants even more time, then there's always the TT to wrap things up.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,114



    I doubt there will be more than a small handful left at the top of the Aspin and AvA will ride away early on the Tourmalet and gain minutes over the field.
    If she wants even more time, then there's always the TT to wrap things up.

    AvA ? A Dutch rider I guess.
    BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    davidof said:



    I doubt there will be more than a small handful left at the top of the Aspin and AvA will ride away early on the Tourmalet and gain minutes over the field.
    If she wants even more time, then there's always the TT to wrap things up.

    AvA ? A Dutch rider I guess.
    You don’t watch or take note of womens cycling I guess.
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 13,227
    Ok, I bite. I assumed a mistype for Annemiek vV. Or is it?
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,722
    edited October 2022
    orraloon said:

    Ok, I bite. I assumed a mistype for Annemiek vV. Or is it?

    It is.
    Just a typo.
    AvA looks like an insurance company. :#
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Ah the lovely Haute-Savoie. Stage 15 will be boss. A week in the old haunt is most definitely on the cards for us.

    The Domancy to Saint Gervais section is superb.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,691
    edited October 2022
    Is that stage going up the "gorge of eternal peril" from Ugine do you reckon?


    The factory at the bottom there desperately needs new photos 😁
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,114

    orraloon said:

    Ok, I bite. I assumed a mistype for Annemiek vV. Or is it?

    It is.
    Just a typo.
    AvA looks like an insurance company. :#
    ok, I thought you maybe had a top tip for us.

    AvV will be 40 next year. The Chris Horner of women's cycling.
    BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    edited October 2022
    ddraver said:

    Is that stage going up the "gorge of eternal peril" from Ugine do you reckon?


    The factory at the bottom there desperately needs new photos 😁

    Ha! It’s not very bonnie that’s for sure.

    I reckon it’s going to go up the road from Saint-Ferréol on the way to the Croix Fry. It might miss that and go up the l’Epine, but that’s categorised and it’s not shown on the stage profile.

    Hands down the best climb in that wee area is the Col de l'Arpettaz from Ugine, with its 30+ switchbacks, but I reckon it’s never been included because the descent down the other side to the Flumet road is just way too technical. A shame.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,252
    edited October 2022

    orraloon said:

    Ok, I bite. I assumed a mistype for Annemiek vV. Or is it?

    It is.
    Just a typo.
    AvA looks like an insurance company. :#

    Not a good one, though. You should have mentioned this little known Spanish rider instead


    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,460
    Looks a very odd route on a map, very much focussed across the middle of the country after those initial few days in the southwest.
  • Pross said:

    Looks a very odd route on a map, very much focussed across the middle of the country after those initial few days in the southwest.

    More like a 'Fleche de France' than a tour.
    ================================
    Cake is just weakness entering the body
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,722
    edited October 2022
    RichN95. said:

    orraloon said:

    Ok, I bite. I assumed a mistype for Annemiek vV. Or is it?

    It is.
    Just a typo.
    AvA looks like an insurance company. :#

    Not a good one, though. You should have mentioned this little known Spanish rider instead


    I thought the ASO played a top trump by including a segment showing the Tourmalet being climbed by Évita Muzic and a team mate.



    Andrew Lloyd Webber should sign her up with a sponsorship deal.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • andyrac
    andyrac Posts: 1,195
    I think the women's peloton has a problem that most riders, and therefore most races suit the 'all rounder'. Anything outside that, tends to favour a small number of riders - and as we saw this year, it only took one stage for it to be settled.

    They've binned off another mountain stage, but brought in a ITT. Until other races set harder courses, we're not going to see properly challenging routes for the TdFF.
    All Road/ Gravel: tbcWinter: tbcMTB: tbcRoad: tbc"Look at the time...." "he's fallen like an old lady on a cruise ship..."