TDF 2023: Stage 1:– Bilbao to Bilbao, 182km ***Spoilers***
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Stage 1:– Bilbao to Bilbao, 182km
Saturday, July 1
Start Time: 11-30amBST.
2023 Tour de France Grand Depart map.
The 2023 Tour de France begins in the Basque Country, 31 years after the 1992 Grand Départ in San Sebastian. The 182 kilometres stage takes in five classified climbs, which amounts to 3300m of climbing.
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. However, this being the Basque Country, there are an equal number of climbs that do not count towards the polka dot competition. Straight from the start it goes up and the first KOM summit of the 2023 Tour appears as early as kilometre 13.8.
After first heading inland to take in the Tour's first climb, the race then heads along the "flatter" coastal roads, before once again heading inland to return towards Bilbao and the toughest climbs of the day.
The Climbs.
The route includes two climbs in the first part of the race – Côte de Laukiz (2.1 kilometres at 6.6%) and Côte de San Juan de Gaztelungaxte (3.6 kilometres at 7.7%)
After the Côte de Morga (3.8 kilometres at 4.8%), the race enters it's decisive stage with the Côte de Vivero (4.3 kilometres at 6.9%),
Followed by the Côte de Pike, (2 kilometres at 10%) which features some extreme gradients towards it's summit.
Final Kms.
The riders fly down to Bilbao before the route starts to rise again under the flamme rouge. The final kilometre goes up at 5.4%.
What to Expect.
With both the maillot jeune and the maillot à pois up for grabs, expect a longer than usual scrap for the breakaway and potentially, a first day showdown between the likes of WVA and MvDP. This battle could well see the GC contenders forced (Jumbo, I am looking at you...) into an early confrontation.
Start and Finish Town.
Bilbao
First time stage city
Population: 353,000.
Stretching between France and Spain, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountains, this region has its own unique culture which is a pleasure to explore.
In the charmingly complex País Vasco, there is something for everyone. Bilbao is the capital of the province of Bizkaia.
BILBAO AND CYCLING
The largest city in the Basque Country is one of the cradles of Spanish cycling, as circuit races and road races to San Sebastian have been held here since 1893. One of the riders to win here, Vicente Fatras, became a Republican deputy for Bilbao before being assassinated in 1936 at the start of the Spanish Civil War Bilbao has also featured in 36 editions of the Vuelta. On the Vuelta’s last visit, in 2022, Marc Soler took his second stage victory of the edition.
Three years earlier, it was Philippe Gilbert, now a young retiree, who raised his arms in town. Among the riders born in Bilbao who have taken part in the Tour de France, the most notable are Inaki Gaston, who rode eight times between 1985 and 1993, Ramon Gonzalez Arrieta, with four participations between 1992 and 1995, Cesar Solaun (1998 and 1999), but also Eduardo Gonzalez or David Herrero, who only took part once.
Gastronomy.
The region’s famed “pintxos” are ingrained in the region’s culinary tradition, and one of the region’s most acclaimed chefs has created a special recipe for the upcoming start of the 2023 edition to start in Bilbao on July 1.
Dubbed the “TOURtilla” — a play on words from the Spanish tortilla — the pintxo blends bacalao, local vegetables, and fresh eggs.
Biscayne-style cod
Biscayan cod (Bakailaoa bizkaitar erara in Basque or Bacalao a la vizcaína in Spanish) is one of the traditional dishes of the Basque Country. Its main ingredient is cod, accompanied by a sauce known as Biscayan, which is made up of red choricero pepper, tomato, garlic and red onion. The preparation is simple. The back of the cod is candied in oil flavoured with garlic at a low temperature and the Biscayan sauce is added. There are many variations, with the addition of bay leaves or breadcrumbs.
Pisto a la bilbaina
These Basque-Style Scrambled Eggs, known in Spain as Pisto a la Bilbaina, truly elevate the scrambled egg field. They´re packed with simple yet delicious flavours. The "pisto bilbaino" is a regional speciality, a variation of the Spanish omelette that is served either as a tapas appetizer or as an hors d'oeuvre in Euskalduna.
Saturday, July 1
Start Time: 11-30amBST.
2023 Tour de France Grand Depart map.
The 2023 Tour de France begins in the Basque Country, 31 years after the 1992 Grand Départ in San Sebastian. The 182 kilometres stage takes in five classified climbs, which amounts to 3300m of climbing.
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. However, this being the Basque Country, there are an equal number of climbs that do not count towards the polka dot competition. Straight from the start it goes up and the first KOM summit of the 2023 Tour appears as early as kilometre 13.8.
After first heading inland to take in the Tour's first climb, the race then heads along the "flatter" coastal roads, before once again heading inland to return towards Bilbao and the toughest climbs of the day.
The Climbs.
The route includes two climbs in the first part of the race – Côte de Laukiz (2.1 kilometres at 6.6%) and Côte de San Juan de Gaztelungaxte (3.6 kilometres at 7.7%)
After the Côte de Morga (3.8 kilometres at 4.8%), the race enters it's decisive stage with the Côte de Vivero (4.3 kilometres at 6.9%),
Followed by the Côte de Pike, (2 kilometres at 10%) which features some extreme gradients towards it's summit.
Final Kms.
The riders fly down to Bilbao before the route starts to rise again under the flamme rouge. The final kilometre goes up at 5.4%.
What to Expect.
With both the maillot jeune and the maillot à pois up for grabs, expect a longer than usual scrap for the breakaway and potentially, a first day showdown between the likes of WVA and MvDP. This battle could well see the GC contenders forced (Jumbo, I am looking at you...) into an early confrontation.
Start and Finish Town.
Bilbao
First time stage city
Population: 353,000.
Stretching between France and Spain, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountains, this region has its own unique culture which is a pleasure to explore.
In the charmingly complex País Vasco, there is something for everyone. Bilbao is the capital of the province of Bizkaia.
BILBAO AND CYCLING
The largest city in the Basque Country is one of the cradles of Spanish cycling, as circuit races and road races to San Sebastian have been held here since 1893. One of the riders to win here, Vicente Fatras, became a Republican deputy for Bilbao before being assassinated in 1936 at the start of the Spanish Civil War Bilbao has also featured in 36 editions of the Vuelta. On the Vuelta’s last visit, in 2022, Marc Soler took his second stage victory of the edition.
Three years earlier, it was Philippe Gilbert, now a young retiree, who raised his arms in town. Among the riders born in Bilbao who have taken part in the Tour de France, the most notable are Inaki Gaston, who rode eight times between 1985 and 1993, Ramon Gonzalez Arrieta, with four participations between 1992 and 1995, Cesar Solaun (1998 and 1999), but also Eduardo Gonzalez or David Herrero, who only took part once.
Gastronomy.
The region’s famed “pintxos” are ingrained in the region’s culinary tradition, and one of the region’s most acclaimed chefs has created a special recipe for the upcoming start of the 2023 edition to start in Bilbao on July 1.
Dubbed the “TOURtilla” — a play on words from the Spanish tortilla — the pintxo blends bacalao, local vegetables, and fresh eggs.
Biscayne-style cod
Biscayan cod (Bakailaoa bizkaitar erara in Basque or Bacalao a la vizcaína in Spanish) is one of the traditional dishes of the Basque Country. Its main ingredient is cod, accompanied by a sauce known as Biscayan, which is made up of red choricero pepper, tomato, garlic and red onion. The preparation is simple. The back of the cod is candied in oil flavoured with garlic at a low temperature and the Biscayan sauce is added. There are many variations, with the addition of bay leaves or breadcrumbs.
Pisto a la bilbaina
These Basque-Style Scrambled Eggs, known in Spain as Pisto a la Bilbaina, truly elevate the scrambled egg field. They´re packed with simple yet delicious flavours. The "pisto bilbaino" is a regional speciality, a variation of the Spanish omelette that is served either as a tapas appetizer or as an hors d'oeuvre in Euskalduna.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
11
Comments
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This is the climb:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2821479,-2.9265748,3a,75y,76.18h,76.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sP2vseS3zOWtF9HAhFjSH4g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
GC gaps almost certain.0 -
Here we go again...
Cheers Blazing!0 -
On the Cote de Pike? Don't tell 'em.kingstongraham said:This is the climb:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2821479,-2.9265748,3a,75y,76.18h,76.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sP2vseS3zOWtF9HAhFjSH4g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
GC gaps almost certain.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body4 -
Am I the only one who would like Bilbao to win this stage?5
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That would be pretty cool tbhPross said:Am I the only one who would like Bilbao to win this stage?
Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Yes .....threads away"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
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Some interesting stuff been posted over on CN regarding tomorrow's finale.
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674729911741808642
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674846955577434112"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Virenque or was that the next dayandyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
mididoctors said:
Virenque or was that the next dayandyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
I was way wrong
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
It was in the Indurain era. Are you including the prologue, in which case I'll go for Indurain. Maybe Thierry Marie.andyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
If not, I'll go for Abdoujaparov (partly to show that I can spell his name)Twitter: @RichN951 -
If you're going to show off we're going to need his first name too please...RichN95. said:
It was in the Indurain era. Are you including the prologue, in which case I'll go for Indurain. Maybe Thierry Marie.andyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
If not, I'll go for Abdoujaparov (partly to show that I can spell his name)0 -
Top notch blazingPinno, מלך אידיוט וחרא מכונאי0
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Virenque didn't win the sole Pyreneen stage, but he did take yellow. The stage winner that day would really test @RichN95. spelling skills.mididoctors said:mididoctors said:
Virenque or was that the next dayandyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
I was way wrong
I was discounting the prologue (sorry Rich) and the first road stage was won by Dominique Arnould, who just held off the reduced peloton.0 -
I can’t remember ever hearing the name of the guy that won stage 2 through the Pyrenees.andyp said:
Virenque didn't win the sole Pyreneen stage, but he did take yellow. The stage winner that day would really test @RichN95. spelling skills.mididoctors said:mididoctors said:
Virenque or was that the next dayandyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
I was way wrong
I was discounting the prologue (sorry Rich) and the first road stage was won by Dominique Arnould, who just held off the reduced peloton.0 -
It was definitely the high point of his career.Pross said:
I can’t remember ever hearing the name of the guy that won stage 2 through the Pyrenees.andyp said:
Virenque didn't win the sole Pyreneen stage, but he did take yellow. The stage winner that day would really test @RichN95. spelling skills.mididoctors said:mididoctors said:
Virenque or was that the next dayandyp said:
Can you remember, without looking it up, who won the opening road stage?mididoctors said:Last time the tour came to the Basque country ETA burnt all the C4 press cars
I was way wrong
I was discounting the prologue (sorry Rich) and the first road stage was won by Dominique Arnould, who just held off the reduced peloton.0 -
Slightly surprised no full live show as per recent GT's/Major stage races. No Orla et al.0
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Yup.
A rather disappointing presentation, thus far.
ITV 4 have Cadel Evans as their guest pundit.
An 11km roll out is also stretching things a bit....."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
I hope this Tour does end up being some kind of donkey lottery.0
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Peter kennaugh hair dye is a bit brazen"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Someone is going to crash fighting for position"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Pinno and co better go watch ITV for a while, as it's Hatch and Kirby opening proceedings.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Fred in the jersey looks good"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm1
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The giro Donna needs a calender change"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm1
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It also needs a course change.mididoctors said:The giro Donna needs a calender change
Pathetic parcours this year.
Just one HC climb, right at the start of a stage.
Other than that, just three 2nd cat climbs.
All in all, a bit of a joke."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
The pro riders are as bad as some of the people I run with for toilet stops. Not even out of the neutralised zone and they’re lined up on the side of the road.0
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Nerves"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Also, it's going to kick off big time when the flag drops. Might not see another chance to pee for a few hoursWarning No formatter is installed for the format0
