Each day of the Tour de France poses a new challenge, with stages designed to challenge all types of riders.
A variety of flat, hilly and mountainous terrains are lined up this year, with one individual time trial breaking up proceedings.
As the 2023 edition of the event progresses, The Sporting News takes a closer look at some of the notable stages awaiting competitors.
MORE: Tour de France 2023 prize money — How much will the winner make?
How far will riders cycle at Tour de France 2023? Total event distance
The total distance of the Tour de France 2023 is 3,404 kilometres (2,115 miles).
Two separate rest days are scheduled after Stages 9 and 15.
The 2023 event features the following split of stage types:
- Eight flat stages
- Four hilly stages
- Eight mountain stages
- One individual time trial
The 2022 race covered 3,328km (2,068 miles) with two rest days for riders along the way, making it the shortest total distance of the past decade.
What is the longest stage of Tour de France 2023?
The longest stage of this year's Tour de France came nice and early.
Stage 2 saw competitors ride 209 km (129.86 miles) from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian.
Classified by organisers as a 'hilly' stage, there were five climbs to navigate.
The lengthy journey began in the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and concluded in the popular coastal resort town of San Sebastian.
What is the shortest stage of Tour de France 2023?
Like most editions of the race, this year's shortest stage comes in the form of a time trial.
Riders will travel just 22km (13.67 miles) from Passy to Combloux as part of Stage 16's individual time trial.
The stage includes two notable climbs — Côte de Domancy and Combloux.
The field is also likely to be fresh, with a rest day scheduled for the day prior.
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— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) June 14, 2023
🎬Tour de France : Au Coeur du Peloton est disponible depuis près d'une semaine sur @NetflixFR ! En voici les meilleurs moments. Si… pic.twitter.com/6sF92bPuqh
What is the highest mountain of Tour de France 2023?
There are eight mountain stages lined up for 2023 as the Tour visits all five of France's mountain massifs — the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Alps and the Vosges.
The highest peak that riders will reach will be at the Col de la Loze mountain pass in the French Alps, with an elevation of 2,304 metres.
That hefty climb will come during Stage 17 and totals 30 km (18.64 miles).
Whilst the initial phase of the ascent is gentle, the gradient increases to seven per cent at the halfway point, before a gruelling final five kilometres at 10 per cent gradient.
Tour de France 2023 confirmed route and stages
| # | Date (local time) | Length | Stage | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 1 | 182 km (113.09 miles) | Bilbao (hilly) | Adam Yates |
| 2 | July 2 | 209 km (129.86 miles) | Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian (hilly) | Victor Lafay |
| 3 | July 3 | 185km (114.95 miles) | Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne (flat) | Jasper Philipsen |
| 4 | July 4 | 182 km (113.09 miles) | Dax to Nogaro (flat) | Jasper Philipsen |
| 5 | July 5 | 165km (102.53 miles) | Pau to Laruns (mountain) | Jai Hindley |
| 6 | July 6 | 145km (90.1 miles) | Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque (mountain) | Tadej Pogacar |
| 7 | July 7 | 170km (105.63 miles) | Mont-de-Marsan to Bordeaux (flat) | Jasper Philipsen |
| 8 | July 8 | 201km (124.9 miles) | Libourne to Limoges (hilly) | — |
| 9 | July 9 | 184km (114.33 miles) | Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat to Puy de Dome (mountain) | — |
| — | July 10 | — | Rest | — |
| 10 | July 11 | 167km (103.77 miles) | Vulcania to Issoire (hilly) | — |
| 11 | July 12 | 180km (111.85 miles) | Clermont-ferrand to Moulins (flat) | — |
| 12 | July 13 | 169km (105.01 miles) | Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais (hillly) | — |
| 13 | July 14 | 138km (85.74 miles) | Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier (mountain) | — |
| 14 | July 15 | 152km (94.45 miles) | Annemasse to Morzine les Portes du Soleil (mountain) | — |
| 15 | July 16 | 180km (111.85 miles) | Les Gets les Portes du Soleil to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc (mountain) | — |
| — | July 17 | — | Rest | — |
| 16 | July 18 | 22km (13.67 miles) | Passy to Combloux (individual time trial) | — |
| 17 | July 19 | 166km (103.15 miles) | Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc to Courchevel (mountain) | — |
| 18 | July 20 | 186km (115.58 miles) | Moutiers to Bourg-en-Bresse (hilly) | — |
| 19 | July 21 | 173km (107.5 miles) | Moans-en-Montagne to Poligny (flat) | — |
| 20 | July 22 | 133km (82.64 miles) | Belfort to Le Markstein-Fellering (mountain) | — |
| 21 | July 23 | 115km (71.46 miles) | Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines to Paris Champs-Elysees (flat) | — |
When does the Tour de France 2023 start?
The Tour de France 2023 began on July 1.
The 110th edition of the famous cycling event set off in Bilbao, marking the second time it has taken place in the Basque Country.
Notably, the 1992 Tour also started in the region, and this time, the first stage will be made up of a loop around Bilbao.
This year's Tour de France is set to finish in Paris on July 23.