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Tour de France 2023: our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages

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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

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Could a mountain biker win the Tour de France? We rate Tom Pidcock and Mathieu Van Der Poel's chances

With multiple MTB World Cup winner Mathieu Van Der Poel and Olympic MTB gold medalist Tom Pidcock lining up for the Tour this year, could a mountain biker win it?

We’ve already written several features about the increasing rider cross over between road, cyclo-cross and mountain bike racing . But with multiple MTB World Cup winner Mathieu Van Der Poel riding his second Tour de France and Olympic MTB gold medalist Tom Pidcock making his Tour debut, might we see a dirt merchant on the top step at Paris this year?

Ineos rider Tom Pidcock has certainly had a great time on the mountain bike when he’s turned up on his blacked out BMC occasional suspension bike – rather than his Pinarello road bike. Dominating both World Cup races, he’s started to follow up his crushing Olympic Gold Medal performance in Tokyo. In contrast, it was the Olympic MTB race that caused Mathieu Van Der Poel a ton of back related grief for months after he body slammed the deck following the infamous ‘missing ramp’ incident. 

After smashing it on the MTB, Pidcock had a less impressive Spring Classics race season than many predicted. What looked like a return to form with some aggressive racing at Tour de Suisse just two weeks ago was cut short by Covid. He’s never completed a multi-week tour either. That means his role is likely to be in support of the Team Ineos leaders. But knowing Tom he’ll seize any opportunity to take a stage win if he can and more mixed terrain is likely to suit his punchy cyclo-cross and MTB honed fitness best. 

In contrast, Van Der Poel has just finished his first big multi-week challenge at the Giro D’Italia where the Dutch Icon wheelied his time trial bike down the final stage ramp Peter Sagan (another ex MTBer) style for maximum steeze points. That means he could be eyeing up a push for the green stage finish points jersey against arch nemesis and fellow cyclo-cross monster, Wout Van Aert. He’s almost certainly there to target the opening Prologue time trial in Copenhagen (yep, we know that’s not in France, they always do that with the start) and then hold onto the yellow jersey as long as possible – just like he did last year. Given how easily MVDP gets bored on long road stages (we reckon he misses the excitement of MTB riding), don’t be surprised if he goes on a small group or even solo attack just to spice things up. He’s definitely got form for that, especially if the weather is miserable and he wants to warm up.

Off-roadie favorites

Unfortunately Tour de France winner and Junior MTB World Championship double podium scorer Egan Bernal and Jumbo Visma’s Milan Vader are still both recovering from crashes early this season so won’t be in Denmark for the start. However, there are still some strong ex-mountain bike contenders for a top ten placing when the Tour finishes on the Champs Elysees. 

Previous U23 MTB World Champion and Absa Cape Epic winner Jakob Fuglsang is always a strong wild card. He’s on good form right now too with some really combative rides and a third place finish in the Tour de Suisse just a few weeks ago.

Jack Haig from the Bahrain Victorious team was Australian U23 mountain bike champion and comes off an extremely good year so far. That includes sixth overall at Paris-Nice and Ruta del Sol, and fifth at the Dauphine a month ago. He was third overall at the Vuelta D’Espana last season too so can clearly go the distance. 

Hey Primoz, give us a backflip!

While winning the round France race is obviously a big deal in the road world what us mountain bikers really want to know though is who’s going to score the traditional peloton huck this year? This freerider favorite was started in true shock exploding, bike bucking, 'mutha hucker' style on the Col D’Galibier by Dave Watson back in 2003 and saw him awarded the ‘Alternative Athlete of the Year Award’ by the Guardian. The idea has been revived in recent years though with Red Bull Freerider Szymon Godziek upping the ante by back flipping the Tour of Poland field on a road bike in 2017. Who knows, given his background of ski jumping maybe even top yellow jersey favorite Primoz Roglic might go rogue on a ramp this year?

All eyes on Copenhagen

The Tour's Grand Départ takes place in Copenhagen on Friday July 7th with a 13.2km time trial. While Mathieu Van Der Poel has the power required for a win and Tom Pidcock has a Junior TT World Championship under his belt, they will be up against TT specialists like stage one favorite, Ineos Grenadiers’ Filippo Ganna, and it will be very tough from the onset.

We will be glued to our screens through the Prologue and the days that follow though, where it will be fascinating to see how all the MTB riders perform. 

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

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Tour de France winning bikes: Which brand has won the most Tours in history?

A history of the most successful bike brands at the Tour de France

With 21 stages covering thousands of kilometres of flat, rolling and mountainous terrain, accompanied by the staccato efforts of the puncheurs, the enormously high power efforts of the sprinters, and the high-speed cornering that accompanies the descents, the Tour de France is one of the biggest tests a bike can face. 

While no bike could win the race alone without a deserving rider, the same can also be said the other way round; any Tour de France winning bike has earned its place on the top step of the podium. 

Over the years, the basic design of all Tour de France bikes hasn't changed all that much. There are still two wheels, two triangles, gears, a chain, and pneumatic tyres, but the technology supporting each part has advanced by lightyears. We can’t help but wonder what the race would look like if you took today’s riders, and made them race the three-week tour on the bikes ridden in the 1903 edition of the race — or the other way around. 

With WorldTour teams using the equipment provided by their sponsors, many of the brands that are racking up stage wins in the modern race are still comparatively young compared to the Tour de France itself. But even while certain brands sponsor multiple teams, some of which are dominant, these young teams may never rack up the same number of TDF general classification wins as many of the now-defunct bike brands of old. 

We’ve combed through the results of every edition of the Tour and tabulated which brands have dominated the race over the last century. Because of the unavoidable shadow cast by doping over the sport during this time, we've listed the total number of wins per brand based on any retrospective action that was taken, such that our list tallies with the Tour's own records. 

Further complicating matters is the historically common practice of frames being built by a different brand than the one displayed on their tubes. The most significant of these instances concerns the French manufacturer Alcyon. Between 1930 and 1939, every bike ridden in the Tour was labelled L'Auto, as decreed by the race organisers. It is widely assumed that these were built by Alcyon in each year except 1938, which would add 9 victories to the company's tally. But, since there was no competition, these wins could be judged to be by default. To simplify matters here, we're sticking with the brand name on the winning frame.

1. Pinarello - 16 wins

By now, we’ve all heard Dave Brailsford’s infamous quote about ‘marginal gains,’ and with the number of Tour wins his Pinarello sponsored team has racked up, it’s hard to argue with this philosophy. But Pinarello was winning the Tour de France long before Brailsford started his tenure at Sky/Ineos or British Cycling. 

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Pinarello earned its first TDF overall classification in 1988, piloted by Pedro Delgado riding with Team Reynolds. This race was marred with controversy, as Delgado tested positive for Probenecid, which at the time was considered a performance-enhancing drug by the IOC, but was not yet banned by the UCI. 

In the early 1990s, Pinarello road bikes were ridden to six consecutive TDF General Classification victories by Miguel Induráin, Bjarne Riis — he was removed from then reinstated to the winner's list after admitting to taking PEDs, with an asterisk to acknowledge the offence — and Jan Ulrich who finished second in the 1996 tour behind Riis, and won his only Tour in 1997. 

Some of the Pinarello-branded bikes ridden in the Tour in the late '80s and early '90s were actually manufactured by TVT, though this was a pretty common practice of the era. In the interest of names on frames, we count 16 in total for the Italians. 

2. Peugeot - 10 wins

Peugeot has been making bicycles since the early 1800s, and while today it is best known for its cars, the French brand still produces a range of road, commuter, and mountain bikes, and even sponsor an eMTB team.

Originally from Sochaux, France, the French brand earned its first Tour de France victory in 1905 with French rider Louis Trousselier and most recently in 1977 with Bernard Thévenet riding a Peugeot PY-10.

While Peugeot’s official Tour de France count is 10, they were also part of the collective of French automotive manufacturers that banded together after World War I under the moniker La Sportive to provide bikes for the race between 1919 and 1921. La Sportive has won in all three of these editions, which in part can be attributed to Peugeot.

3. L’Auto - 10 wins

In 1903, Henri Desgrange, the editor of the newspaper L’Auto, founded the Tour de France as a publicity stunt for his waning publication - spoiler alert, it worked.

As Desgrange was running the race and setting the rules, in 1930, he banned trade teams and only allowed national teams to participate, stipulating that each rider had to use a generic bicycle. For those 10 pre-war years, every rider from the yellow jersey winner to the lanterne rouge competed on a yellow road bike with L’Auto painted on the downtube. 

 4. Gitane - 9 wins

With nine Tour de France victories, French outfit Gitane made the bikes which Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault rode to their wins. The brand was widespread in the professional peloton from the 1960s through to the 1980s and was also well known for producing motorcycles, also supporting moto racing teams during this period as well. 

In 1972, Gitane produced the “Tour de France”, which was a lightweight (for the time) frame, made from Reynolds 531 tubing and served as the brand's race bike, until it went on hiatus from the WorldTour. 

After a few name changes and transfers of ownership, Gitane ended up as part of the same brand portfolio as Peugeot and B.H, under the umbrella of Cyclegroup — which later was purchased by a Swedish firm that now also owns Bianchi. 

Gitane purchased the Helyett company in the 1960s, and also claimed their three Tour victories, which were achieved by Jacques Anquetil in 1957, 1961 and 1962. The Helyett frames may well have been built by Gitane too, but since we're sticking to names on frames, Gitane remains on nine victories.

5. Alcyon - 7 wins

With seven wins to its name, Alcyon, like so many of the brands that provided bikes to early Tour teams, made bikes, cars, and motorcycles. The brand’s first-ever win in the Tour de France came from the Luxembourgian François Faber, who also clinched five stage victories in that edition. 

Alcyon sponsored a team through the 1920s and was becoming a force in the peloton winning the 1927, 1928 and 1929 editions, but the visibility of the Alcyon name ended there due to Desgrange’s ban on trade teams in 1930.

6. Merckx - 5 wins

If we are going by what was written on the down tube, Merckx would be the next on our list, though by all accounts, the Cannibal was riding bikes built by Masi and Kessels. Despite a storied history, and recent sponsorship of AG2R, Merckx isn't a presence at the 2022 Tour. Its recent history involves financial difficulty and a takeover by Ridley Bikes , so we don't expect this number to grow for a while.

7. Automoto - 4 wins

French outfit Automoto was founded in 1902 and like so many others of the era, was in the business of two-wheeled vehicles, both human-powered and motorised. 

The brand won four consecutive Tours de France under Henri Pélissier in 1923, Ottavio Bottecchia in 1924 and 1925, and Lucien Buysse in 1926. A few years later, in 1930, the brand was purchased by Peugeot but still produced bikes and motorcycles under the Automoto brand name until 1962, when it was discontinued.

8. La Sportive - 3 wins

While La Sportive may only have three Tour wins under its belt, and was only in existence for a handful of years, it’s one of our favourite stories in cycling history. 

World War One left Europe in bad shape, and many of the factories that produced bicycles had been reduced to rubble. The continent was in a depression, and spending money on sporting teams was hardly a priority at the time.

So to make sure the race would not be yet another casualty of the war, Alcyon, Armor, Automoto, Clément, La Française, Gladiator, Griffon, Hurtu, Labor, Liberator, Peugeot and Thomann banded together to provide equipment to half the peloton, and sponsored the race from 1919-1921. Given that half the riders were on La Sportive bikes during these years, it’s no surprise they came away with the General Classification each time, with Firmin Lambot winning in 1919, Philippe Thys winning in 1920 and Léon Scieur in 1921.

The group disbanded in 1922 when each respective company restarted their own teams. 

9. Bianchi - 3 wins

The last time a Bianchi was ridden down the Champs-Élysées at the top of the general classification was in 1998 when Marco Pantani had the yellow jersey on his shoulders. This edition was drama-filled not only because of the racing, as the 85th edition was also the year of the Festina affair that marred the race with police raids, rider strikes, and teams pulling out of the race.

Bianchi’s other Tour de France victories were with Fausto Coppi in the saddle, in 1949 and 1952.

The brand came within a hair's width of doing it again in 2020, but Primož Roglič's untimely implosion on the stage 2020 time trial up La Planche des Belles Filles handed the race to Tadej Pogačar, resulting in Colnago's first-ever maillot jaune. 

10. Trek, Colnago, Specialized, Frejus, Stella and Geminiani - 2 wins

For a brand with a history so ingrained in cycling culture, it does seem out of sorts that until 2020, Colnago had never won a Tour de France. Of course, thanks to Tadej Pogacar, it's won two in a row and is the bookies' favourite for the 2022 edition too. His hat trick would see Colnago step up the standings and sit alongside Italian rivals Bianchi.

Snapping at Colnago's heels are five other brands, each with two wins to their name: Frejus, Stella, Geminiani, Trek and Specialized. 

Trek has a tumultuous history with the Tour de France; its bikes have 'won' a total of nine Tours de France, however, with all of Lance Armstrong’s 'victories' being officially stricken from the record, the big red barn in Wisconsin can only officially claim Alberto Contador’s 2007 and 2009 wins. In 2022, none of the Trek Segafredo riders are expected to fight for GC, so don't expect Trek to get another this year.

Given Frejus, Stella and Geminiani no longer operate in the sport, Specialized is the only other brand able to climb above Colnago. However, despite sponsoring three of the teams in this year's race, Specialized's hopes would fall on Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora Hansgrohe) as the only of their riders at the race with any serious GC ambitions. 

Elsewhere, BMC has also crossed the line 1st in Paris on two occasions, but while Cadel Evans' 2011 title is irrefutable, soon after the 2006 Tour, Floyd Landis was found to have doped, was removed from the results, and Óscar Pereiro confirmed as the race winner, thus adding to Pinarello's victory total.

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Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Colin has written tech content for cycling publication for a decade. With hundreds of buyer's guides, reviews and how-tos published in Bike Radar, Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect and Cycling Weekly, as well as in numerous publications dedicated to his other passion, skiing. 

Colin was a key contributor to Cyclingnews between 2019 and 2021, during which time he helped build the site's tech coverage from the ground up. Nowadays he works full-time as the news and content editor of Flow MTB magazine. 

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Bike Finder

Results have arrived, the stage-winning bikes from the 2023 tour de france.

We are keeping track of which bikes win each stage of the 2023 Tour de France. We'll find out what bike manufacturers are dominant, and what drivetrains, wheels, and tires are regulars on the podium.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Jul 28, 2023

Posted in: Bikes

The Cervelo S5 may not have won any stages this year, but it helped Jonas Vingegaard take a much bigger prize: the Yellow Jersey. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet

The Tour de France is full of exciting race action, tragic defeats, and heroic moments. It's what makes the Tour so magical. But bike nerds like us are here for another reason: the bikes! 

Riders, teams, and manufacturers all bring their best equipment to the Tour, so its the perfect place for us to geek out on new bikes, gear, and tech. 

For the duration of this year's Tour, I'll be keeping track of what bikes are winning each stage. At the end, we'll have some fun data, and maybe some inspiration for how to equip our own bike quivers at home. 

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2023 Tour de France - The Final Scores

 The 2023 Tour de France is now done and dusted. After spending the first two weeks locked wheel to wheel with Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard landed a couple killer blows on stages 16 and 17 to secure his second Tour victory. There were a lot of different winning bikes, and a few notable "losers." Let's review...

2023 Tour de France Jersey Winners

• General Classification  - Jonas Vingegaard - Cervelo S5 / Cervelo R5
• Points Classification  - Jasper Philipsen - Canyon Aeroad CFR
• Best young rider - Tadej Pogacar - Colnago V4Rs
• King of the Mountains - Guilio Ciccone - Trek Madone SLR / Trek Emonda SLR

The Yellow Jersey winner, Jonas Vingegaard, can be seen riding into Paris aboard his Cervelo S5 . This is the bike he used for the majority of this year's stages. He only switched to the lighter Cervelo R5 for the mountain stages, and it's what he rode on stage 17 when he took minutes out on Pogacar to essentially win the Tour.

Both Cervelo's have nabbed plenty of stage wins in the previous two years, but they came up short this year. The only Cervelo win was Vingegaard's Stage 16 TT win on the Cervelo   P5 . But hey, winning the overall is a much bigger deal. One thing I want to point out is that Vingegaard rode many stages with a 1x drivetrain. Take a look at his S5 above, and you'll see the single chainring set-up. I've been preaching the gospel of 1x road for a while, and while Vingegaard did switch back to a 2x for the mountain stages, I do feel a bit validated! 

The Green Jersey Winner, Jasper Philipsen and his Canyon Aeroad CFR were leagues ahead of everyone else. With 4 wins, they won the most stages this year and proved that they were the fastest combo on flat finishes. 

The White Jersey winner, Tadej Pogacar, put up a brilliant fight on his Colnago V4Rs . Unlike Vingegaard, Pogacar used the same frame for every stage, opting only to swap to shallower ENVE SES 2.3 wheels on the hardest mountain stages.  

The Polka-dot Jersey Winner, Guilio Ciccone, cleverly targeted the King of the Mountains and secured it late in the race on Stage 20. While he rode a polka-dot Trek Madone SLR into Paris, most of his KOM points were won on the lighter Trek Emonda SLR . Like Vingegaard, Ciccone had the option to switch between aero and all-rounder frames. 

Stage-Winning Frames and Components

• Best Bike - Canyon Aeroad CFR - 4 wins
• Best Drivetrain - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 - 18 wins
• Best Wheels - Shimano Dura-Ace C60 - 4 wins
• Best Tires - Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR - 8 wins

Of course, since Jasper Philipsen got the most stage wins, so did his bike, the Canyon Aeroad CFR . But thanks to the efforts of Tadej Pogacar and Adam Yates, the Colnago V4Rs was a strong second with three wins. 

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 dominated most stages the Tour. It's not surprising since Shimano sponsors most of the teams. But even though Shimano groupsets won the majority of stages, it was SRAM AXS that took the overall. Interestingly, it looks like Vingegaard pairs Force AXS shifters with  RED AXS drivetrains, likely because he likes the new revised hood shape . Also, I have to say it again — Vingegaard rode several stages on a 1x drivetrain. AWESOME.

Again, thanks to Philipsen, the Shimano   Dura-Ace C60 wheels were the top wheel of the Tour with 4 wins, while Pogacar and Yates put the ENVE SES 4.5 into second with 3 wins. Interestingly, these wheels are close in depth, but Pogacar and Yates took their wins on hilly/mountain stages. It goes to show that deep aero wheels can win on climbs. Also, it's worth noting that Dura-Ace wheels took 2 additional wins with Ineos, but Kwiatkowski and Rodriguez rode the shallower Dura-Ace C36  to their two mountain stage wins. 

The tubeless  Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR was the tire of the Tour with 8 wins. Again, like Shimano, Continental sponsors the most teams, so it's not that surprising. But independent rolling resistance testing has shown that the GP 5000 S TR is among the fastest of the fast. The tubeless   Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0 , however, was the tire that took the overall under Vingegaard, and it did also win 4 stages thanks to Philipsen. We did see a few clinchers win (all the Specialized teams and Cofidis still use clinchers), and we did see Vingegaard bust out some tubulars in the early Basque stages. But the story of this Tour was one of tubeless domination. 

The Formula for the Ultimate TdF Stage-Winning Bike

Frame: Canyon Aeroad CFR Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheels: Shimano Dura-Ace C60 Tires: Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR

Aero bikes won more stages. Pair the most sucessful aero frame with a benchmark drivetrain, aero wheels, and the fastest tires, and maybe you can win more stages than Jasper Philipsen. 

My Dream TdF Stage Winning Bike

Frame: Look Blade 795 RS Drivetrain:  SRAM RED eTap AXS (1x) Wheels:  ENVE SES 4.5 Tires: Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR G2.0

I just have to be different. I think the Look Blade 795 RS was the best looking new bike at the Tour, and I love that it finally broke the 15-year-long Cofidis win drought. Of course, me being a weirdo, it needs a 1x SRAM AXS drivetrain, just like Vingegaard used in many of the early stages this year. Then my favorite blingy wheels, the ENVE SES 4.5. Finally, I have to have bright, tanwall tires, so the Vittoria Corsa Pro is the pick for me. 

Stage 01 Winner - Bilboa > Bilboa

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) took the first Yellow Jersey of the race by beating his twin, Simon Yates (Team Jayco-AlUla), to the finish line after an extraordinary breakaway. This may be the first time a pair of twins have competed for a stage win at the Tour! Yates is riding the newly released Colnago V4Rs, which the UAE Team rode all of last year under the "Prototipo" guise. This year they also switched to Shimano drivetrains, ENVE wheels, and Continental tires. 

Stage 02 Winner - Vitoria-Gasteiz > Saint-Sébastien

Victor Lafay (Cofidis) ended Cofidis' 15-year-long drought of Tour de France stage wins with a thrilling and powerful attack in the final meters of stage 2 to beat top favorites like Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogacar, and Tom Pidcock. He did it on Look's new Blade 795 RS. This French brand made the first carbon bike to win the Tour de France way back in 1986, and they brought us the first clipless pedals. Cofidis' Blade 795 RS is painted in Look's iconic Mondrian colors for the Tour. 

Stage 03 Winner - Amorebieta-Etxano > Bayonne

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took advantage of a monster leadout from Mathieu van der Poel to beat Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) to the line, proving that he is the sprinter to watch out for in this year's Tour. He did box out Wout van Aert (Team Jumbo-Visma) against the barrieers before the finish but was cleared by the race jury. Philipsen is riding Canyon's super fast and recently updated Aeroad CFR, which has a revised seatpost to reduce slips and squeaks. This is the same bike van der Poel used to win Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix this spring so it's already a proven winner. 

Stage 04 Winner - Dax > Nogaro

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has now won two stages in a row, beating Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) to the line once again and showing that he and Mathieu van der Poel might be the most potent sprinter/lead-out combo in the peloton. The finish was marred by several crashes, but Philipsen kept his Canyon Aeroad CFR safely ahead of all the chaos to take the win.

Stage 05 Winner - Pau > Laruns

Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) snuck into a large breakaway group to win the Tour's first mountain stage and snatch the Yellow jersey. Not only did the established favorites get caught out, but Adam Yates and two-time winner, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), lost significant time to last year's winner, Jonas Vingegaard ( Team Jumbo-Visma ), who moved into second. Hindley performed his coup on the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7, one of the most popular modern road racing bikes. Introduced in 2020, it combined Venge-killing aerodynamic efficiency with the Tarmac's agility and light weight to create a do-it-all racer that's super fast on flat and mountainous terrain. Interestingly, Bora, as well as the other two Specialized teams, are actually running still the old S-Works Turbo Cotton clincher tire, even though there's a new tubeless version of the Turbo available. Bora has stated that it does switch to the tubeless version for wet stages. 

Stage 06 Winner - Tarbes > Cauterets-Cambasque

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) struck back after losing time to his main rival, Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma) yesterday. Attacking on the final climb, Vingegaard was unable to follow, and Pogacar took the stage win, 24 seconds, as well as 10 bonus seconds. Vingegaard, however, is now in the Yellow Jersey, but the gap between the two is only 25 seconds. It's looks like it's going to be a big fight in the mountains. Pogacar has a much better kick, and might take a few more stage wins on his Colnago V4Rs. Fun fact: while Ernesto Colnago had been building Tour-winning bikes for decades, when Pogacar won his first Tour back in 2020, it was actually the first Tour win for a Colnago-branded bike.

Stage 07 Winner - Mont-de-Marsan > Bordeaux

After three sprint stages, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and his Canyon Aeroad CFR have scored a hat trick of wins. He really is the fastest sprinter this year, and with three more flat stages in this year's Tour, there's a very good chance we'll see Philipsen and the Aeroad CFR take the top step again. Of note, Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), took second, and looked oh so close to beating the Tour stage win record. The next chance for the sprinters will be stage 11, so we'll hopefully get a few different riders and bikes in the mix soon!

Stage 08 Winner - Libourne > Limoges

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), finally broke Jasper Philipsen's winning streak in Limoges. The story of the day, however, was Mark Cavendish's crash and subsequent abandonment due to a broken collarbone. Pedersen is aboard the new Trek Madone SLR Project One. The Madone received a major update for 2023 with an "IsoFlow" opening in the seattube to enhance aerodynamics and improve comfort. It is also the first SRAM-equipped bike to win a stage. Pedersen's bike features a custom oil-slick Project One paint job for the Tour. Interestingly, he runs a massive 56-tooth outer chainring plus a gold Flattop chain, which SRAM reserves for world champions like himself. 

Stage 09 Winner - Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat > Puy de Dôme

In the GC fight, Pogacar has now closed to 17 seconds behind Vingegaard, but it was the breakaway that won the day. Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) judged his effort perfectly to take one of, if not the biggest win of his career. Woods overhauled a fading Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar Team) in the final meters of Puy de Dome aboard his Factor OSTRO VAM. Factor is a small British brand and the OSTRO VAM is its latest aero all-rounder. Since Israel-Premier Tech is also sponsored by FSA, this is one of the few bikes to run a mixed drivetrain, with Shimano components paired with an FSA carbon crankset. 

Now that was an exciting opening 9 stages! We're witnessing an incredible battle between the two favorites — Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar — and it's not clear (yet) who will be the strongest in the final week. 

While everyone catches their breath on the first rest day, here are some quick hit stats:

Most Wins - Canyon Aeroad CFR 

With three wins, the new Canyon Aeroad CFR has been the king of the first half of the Tour. This is entirely down to Jasper Philipsen's domination of the sprint stages. So far, the Colnago V4Rs is the only other bike with multiple stage wins (2). 

Shimano vs. SRAM

Shimano holds a strong 8-1 lead over SRAM. It's not too surprising since SRAM only sponsors 2 of the 22 teams at the Tour. Campagnolo sponsors one (AG2R) and the rest are running Shimano. However, since SRAM sponsors Jumbo-Visma, I think we can expect some more stage wins as the Tour continues. 

Tubeless vs. Clincher

I'll have to do some deeper investigating to be sure (many teams use a mix of tubeless, clincher, and tubular wheels), but it appears that 7 out of 9 stages so far have been won on tubeless tires. This shift started a few years ago, and at this point, all the top teams have the option to run tubeless set-ups. Victor Lafay and Jai Hindley are the only stage winners riding clinchers. The Cofidis team do also have wheels and bikes set up with tubulars, and Bora says it uses tubeless tires for wet stages or poor conditions. But it seems that most of the time they still prefer the clincher, probably with latex tubes. 

Stage 10 Winner - Vulcania > Issoire

The breakaway was expected to prevail today, and Pello Bilbao (Team Bahrain Victorious) came out on top in the final sprint. He dedicated his first Tour stage win to his late friend and teammate, Gino Mäder, who tragically passed away after a crash during this year's Tour de Suisse. In Gino's memory, Bilbao has promised to plant trees in deforested areas, an obsession of  Mäder's.  Bilboa has been donating €1 to Mäder’s charity for every rider he beats in each stage, and promised to donate double if he won a stage. 

As for the bike, Bilboa rode a Merida Scultura Disc Team. Merida is a Taiwanese manufacturer, who like Giant, actually manufactures frames for many other brands as well. The fifth-generation Scultura was released at the end of 2021 and incorporated new aero touches from Merida's Reacto aero bike. Team Bahrain brought frames with "Pearl-inspired" white paint, but Bilboa is riding a black bike, likely to commemorate Mäder.

Stage 11 Winner - Mont-de-Marsan > Bordeaux

Jasper " Disaster the Master" Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and his Canyon Aeroad CFR are looking unbeatable this year with 4 wins now. Philipsen didn't even need a leadout from Mathieu van der Poel this time. He jumped on the wheel of Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco–AlUla) in the final meters and steamed past. Philipsen clearly has the power and the positioning. Maybe his new aero bike is just that much more slippery than everyone else's. 

Stage 12 Winner - Roanne > Belleville-en-Beaujolais

Rider: Ion Izagirre Insausti Bike:  Look Blade 795 RS Drivetrain:   Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheels:  Corima WS EVO 47 Tires:  Michelin Power Cup Competition Line Bike Type:   Aero/All-Rounder Stage Type:   Hilly

Ion Izagirre  Insausti  (Cofidis) took advantage of a chaotic day to go off the front alone and secure a second stage win for Cofidis. This is the French team's best performance in over a decade after a 15-year-long drought of Tour de France stage wins, and it's Izagirre's second Tour stage win after he took his first seven years ago. Interestingly, like his teammate and Stage 2 winner, Victor Lafay, Izagirre appears to be riding the Corima WS EVO 47 wheels with clinchers (instead of tubulars) rather than the higher-end Corima MCC EVO 47 wheels. Also, after seeing it again, I am starting to thing that Look's new Blade 795 RS in the   iconic Mondrian colors  might be the best looking bike at this year's  Tour. 

Stage 13 Winner - Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne > Grand Colombier

Rider: Michal Kwiatkowski Bike:  Pinarello Dogma F Drivetrain:   Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheels:  Shimano Dura-Ace C36 Tires:   Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR Bike Type:   Aero/All-Rounder Stage Type:  Mountain

Former world champion, Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) dropped the breakaway to take the summit finish of the Grand Colombier. Pogacar also managed to take another 8 seconds on Vingegaard with a late burst. Ineos (formerly Team Sky) has been riding the Pinarello Dogma for over a decade. The current Dogma F replaced the Dogma 12 in 2021. It continues to use Pinarello's trademark asymmetric frame design, but I'm always sad that the current Onda fork and rear stay design don't use the quirky wavy carbon the Dogma used to be so well-known for. 

Stage 14 Winner - Annemasse > Morzine Les Portes du Soleil

Rider: Carlos Rodriguez Bike:  Pinarello Dogma F Drivetrain:   Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheels:  Shimano Dura-Ace C36 Tires:   Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR Bike Type:   Aero/All-Rounder Stage Type:  Mountain

Carlos Rodriguez makes it two stages in a row for the Ineos Grenadiers and the Pinarello Dogma F. He paced his effort perfectly to bridge back to the front after getting dropped on the final climb and went alone to the win on the descent. He's now taken third in the GC away from Jai Hindley, but the two are separated by a single second. Likewise, the battle for first between Vingegaard and Pogacar remains a battle for seconds as the two remained glued together. With time gaps this close, maybe the podium in Paris will be determined by whose bike is slightly more aero...

Stage 15 Winner - Les Gets les Portes du Soleil > Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

Another brutal day in the mountains and Wout Poels (Team Bahrain Victorious) took the win to give his team its second stage of this year's Tour. When he launched an attack on his Merida Scultura Disc Team, the other Wout (van Aert) didn't respond. He took the win nearly 3 minutes up on van Aert. Once again, there's nothing separating Vingegaard and Pogacar, the GC leaders, who came in several minutes behind Poels. Like his Bahrain Victorious teammate, Pello Bilbao, who won stage 10, Poels is riding the lightweight Merida Scultura for this tough and mountainous stage. He also switched to shallower 45mm Vision wheels. 

The GC race between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar is still incredibly tight. They've been stuck to each other on every stage, which has allowed several opportunists to sneak away and steal stage wins as the Jumbo and UAE teams spend all their time and energy marking at each other. 

Double Stage Winners

Several teams and bikes have had a relatively good Tour so far, winning two (or more) stages:

• Alpecin-Deceuninck - Canyon Aeroad CFR  - 4 wins!
• UAE Team Emirates - Colnago V4Rs - 2 wins
• Cofidis - Look Blade 795 RS - 2 wins
• Team Bahrain Victorious - Merida Scultura Disc Team - 2 wins
• Ineos Grenadiers - Pinarello Dogma F - 2 wins

Of these multi-stage winners, the biggest surprise has to be the Look Blade 795 RS of Cofidis. After 15 years without a Tour stage win, to take two on a brand new bike makes the new Blade 795 RS look very promising. I also think it might be the best looking bike in the Tour right now. 

What Bikes Are Underperforming?

Of course, it's riders who win, not bikes, but sometimes, you expect certain bikes to win because they're ridden by exceptional teams and riders. Personally, I'm surprised that Specialized and Cervelo haven't taken more wins.

Specialized sponsors 3 teams at the Tour, all with high-power riders capable of winning stages. The Tarmac SL7 was also hailed upon its release as the king of aero all-rounders. But this year it's only taken a single stage with Jai Hindley. 

Cervelo is sponsoring Jumbo-Visma and Wout van Aert, a team and rider that have won multiple stages at the Tour over the last few years. But with a major focus on keeping Jonas Vingegaard in yellow, van Aert and the team perhaps don't as much freedom to chase stage wins this year, though van Aert has come very close on several occasions. 

What's Coming Up Next?

The next stage is the first and only time trial of this year's Tour. The winning rider will need a lot of horsepower, but also a very slippery bike. When seconds matter, reducing aerodynamic drag to save a few watts can be the difference. 

I also expect to see some serious fireworks between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar in the time trial and the final couple of mountain stages. Maybe Cervelo will finally nab a stage win? Even if they don't, making it to Paris in the Yellow jersey is perhaps the bigger prize. 

Stage 16 Winner - Les Gets les Portes du Soleil > Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

I thought Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma) might make it all the way to Paris without a stage win, but he had the TT of his life today, taking a commanding win and pulling out an additional 1 min 38 sec over Tadej Pogacar (who chose to switch to a road bike for the final climb of the TT). Cervelo is well-known for its class-leading aero bikes, and the P5 TT bike has definitely shown itself to be very fast since Vingegaard's teammate, Wout van Aert, rounded out the podium. It's equipped with a 1x wireless SRAM RED AXS drivetrain, with a massive aero chainring, a full rear disc from Reserve, and Vittoria's Corsa Speed G+ 2.0 TLR tires which are among the fastest road tires ever tested.

Stage 17 Winner - Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc > Courchevel

While the big news is that Jonas Vingegaard increased his lead over Tadej Pogacar to a massive 7 minutes and 35 seconds, it was Felix Gall (AG2R Citroën Team) who took the Queen stage win aboard his BMC Teammachine SLR 01. The Teammachine is BMC's high-tech aero all-rounder, but it's particularly unique because it's the only bike in the peloton equipped with Campagnolo. AG2R are running the recently released Super Record EPS electronic groupset, which the team help develop and test. The latest Super Record group is a big shift for the legendary Italian component maker as it's a wireless disc-brake-only group which also does away with Campy's iconic thumb shifters. At $5,399 for a complete group, it's also absurdly expensive!

Stage 18 Winner - Moûtiers > Bourg-en-Bresse

Kasper Asgreen (Soudal Quick-Step) got into a four-man breakaway that displayed exceptional teamwork to hold the peloton at bay and disappoint the sprinters in a thrilling finish. It's the second stage win for the Specialized S-works Tarmac SL7. Asgreen's bike is essentially the same as the bike Jai Hindley used to win stage 4, with one notable exception. It seems that like the other two Specialized teams — Bora and Team TotalEnergies — riders at Quick-Step are still using the older Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton clincher tire, in some cases with the older Roval Rapide CLX wheels instead of the Rapide CLX II. A possible explanation is that the older clincher set-up is a bit lighter (around 100 grams) than the newer tubeless wheel and tire combo. He may also prefer the tubular-like ride quality of the Turbo Cotton tires. Either way, it's a proven winner since Asgreen won Tour of Flanders in 2021 on this exact set-up. 

Stage 19 Winner - Moirans-en-Montagne > Poligny

Stage 20 Winner - Belfort > Le Markstein Fellering

Rider:   Tadej Pogacar Bike:   Colnago V4Rs Drivetrain:   Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Wheels:   ENVE SES 4.5 Tires:   Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR Bike Type:   Aero/All-Rounder Stage Type:  Mountain

The Tour de France overall was essentially decided on stage 17 when Jonas Vingegaard gained minutes on Tadej Pogacar on the final climb. In his post-race interview, Pogacar expressed a desire to win stage 20, the final mountain stage, a small but important consolation prize for his efforts this year. Of course, Pogacar being the animal that he is, delivered the win. It may not be the Tour finish he hoped for, but he and the UAE team were able to take 3 stages this year on their brand-new Colnago V4Rs. Despite winning the overall, Jumbo Visma and Cervelo had a much quieter Tour. Only the Cervelo P5 TT bike won a stage, while the S5 and R5 came up a bit short (though Wout van Aert came very close several times). The overall is the bigger prize though, so while Colnago won more battles, Cervelo won the war.  

Stage 21 Winner - Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines > Paris Champs Elysées

Jonas Vingegaard has wrapped up GC, so the final parade into Paris ends with one last chance for the sprinters on the famed Champs Elysées. The expected favorites — Jasper Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen, and Mads Pedersen — were all there at the final sprint. But it was an amazing upset by Jordi Meeus (BORA - hansgrohe) who beat everyone to the line by mere centimeters. It is a great finish and a bit of redemption for Meeus, who struggled to make in impact in the early stages. It also gives the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 its third win, putting it on terms with the Colnago V4Rs, and it also means that clincher tires were able to pip all the tubeless tires one last time.  

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Mathieu van der Poel's Tour de France bike is monochromatic, aggressive and hides a new seat clamp design

All-Shimano build is clean as a whistle

Simon von Bromley / Our Media

Mathieu van der Poel started out his 2023 Tour de France campaign onboard this custom-painted Canyon Aeroad CFR.

The super-clean white bike is one of three bikes the Dutch multidiscipline superstar has ridden at this year’s race.

Van der Poel has since switched to his regular metallic-red Canyon Aeroad after racing this and a special-edition Raymond Poulidor tribute bike in the first week of the Tour de France .

While subdued, this all-white paintjob – officially dubbed ‘MvdP white’ by Canyon – is handsome in a muted sort of way.

Let’s take a closer look.

A go-fast cockpit for the world’s best lead-out man

The integrated cockpit of van der Poel’s bike is as good as slammed with only a teeny-tiny spacer sitting beneath the stem.

Though not as extreme as the setup used by some riders, van der Poel hasn’t been able to resist the urge to tilt his hoods slightly inwards in chase of further aero gains.

Jasper Philipsen’s lead-out man will want to ensure he’s efficient as possible when pushing watts in a sprint.

In terms of measurements, van der Poel's Canyon's CP0015 cockpit has an 11cm stem length, with the width-adjustable handlebar set at 40cm.

With many riders at the 2023 Tour running a 36cm or 38cm bar , that's a fairly conservative setup.

A neat 3D-printed out-front mount is fitted to the underside of the bar.

Seat clamp change made official?

Van der Poel’s Aeroad features an exposed expander wedge on the top tube just in front of the seatpost. A similar design is used on many of the best aero road bikes .

This design is different to both that seen on the existing consumer version of the Aeroad and the bike he rode to victory at Milan-San Remo .

The bike seen at Milan San Remo hid the expanding wedge inside the top tube. It is exposed on van der Poel’s Tour de France bike.

The original seat clamp – used on the consumer version of the Aeroad to date – adopted a design similar to that of the Canyon Ultimate, clamping as low as possible on the seat tube to enable the post to flex. This is said to improve rear-end comfort. The clamp was accessed from the rear of the bike between the seatstays.

Looking at the Canyon web store, it appears the change seen on van der Poel's latest bike has carried over to at least some of the brand’s top-end versions of the Aeroad.

A Selle Italia Flite saddle slammed all the way back on its rails sits atop the deep aero-profiled seatpost.

An all-Shimano build

Van der Poel's build is dominated by Shimano parts, covering both the groupset components and wheels.

When we saw van der Poel's bike at the Grand Départ in Bilbao, it featured Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheels, shod with a pair of 28c Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR tyres .

Those tyres inflate to 29.3mm on the C50's 21mm internal rim width.

That's still wide by modern standards – but not as wide as the tyres seen on Tadej Pogačar’s Colnago V4Rs .

On Pogačar’s bike, the (nominally) 28c Continental Grand Prix5000 TT TR tyres inflate to 31.3mm (front) and 32.2mm (rear) on the 25mm internal rim width of the ENVE SES 4.5 wheels.

Back to van der Poel's bike, and the wheelset is paired with the near-ubiquitous Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset , with van der Poel opting for 54/40t chainrings.

How much does Mathieu van der Poel's bike weigh?

The Aeroad is Canyon's aero road bike, with the Ultimate sitting alongside it at the top of the German direct-sales brand's range as a lightweight all-rounder.

We put van der Poel's bike on the BikeRadar scales at the Tour de France – and, in full team trim, it comes in at 7.94kg.

Mathieu van der Poel’s Canyon Aeroad | Specs

• Frameset: Canyon Aeroad CFR MVDP
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace R9250 Di2
• Wheelset: Shimano Dura-Ace C50
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Speed, 28c (29.4mm measured), tubeless
• Cockpit: Canyon CP0015, 11cm stem, 40cm handlebar
• Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow MVDP Edt
• Weight: 7.945kg

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All the famous mountain bike jumps over the tour de france petoton from 2003 to 2019.

Yesterday as the Tour de France rode Stage 10 of the 2019 tour, 19-year-old Valentin Anouilh took to the trails above the peloton and claimed the honour of being 'the guy to jump the tour' this year. We thought it was high time we rounded up all the mountain bike jumps over the Tour from as far back as 2003, as it seems this is becoming a bit of a thing now....

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• Jon's enduro blog pt3: Race day, crunch time?

2019 - Saint Flour

19-year-old Valentin Anouilh hucked the huck during Stage 10 of Le Tour somewhere around St Flour and Albi. The French mountain biker is sponsored by Orange Bikes and Hope Technology and it looks like he's making his way in the bike world by beginning to film stunts and trick on YouTube whilst racing. This year's attempt at gapping the peloton has already amassed 279k views!  

2018 - Montée du Plateau des Glières

Last year, Alexis Bosson jumped over riders, again on Stage 10 but this time as they climbed up the Montée du Plateau des Glières. This rider threw in a no hander as well, as if launching over a road full of riders wasn't quite enough! Bosson was also caught on the live race footage for additional 'tour jump kudos points'. 

2013 - Le Semnoz

Between 2014 and 2017 things were quiet on the Tour de France huck front, but back in 2013 Romain Marandet from Annecy planned an executed a huck as the peloton rode from Annecy up Le Semnoz. Researching the topic shows that a large amount of rain the night before soaked the take off and landing but Marandet successfully completed the jump and made a short film about how they planned the jump.

2003 - Col de Galibier

Canadian mountain biker Dave Watson kicked off the Tour de France hucking movement way back in 2003. He jumped over the peleton as they rode stage 8 up to the summit of the Col de Galibier. Without any practice jumps Watson launched down his man-made jump and came up slightly short, crashing on landing, but he did get some epic footage and started a trend that we think is going to continue for quite some time!

Who will it be next year? How will they do it? And on what bike? We think that future riders might take note of Simon Godziek's flip over the Tour of Poland in 2017.... on a road bike....

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Author block

Previously Editor here at off-road.cc, Rachael is happiest on two wheels. Partial to a race or two Rachael also likes getting out into the hills with a big bunch of mates. In the past Rachael has written for publications such as, Enduro Mountain Bike Magazine, Mountain Biking UK, Bike Radar, New Zealand Mountain Biker and was also the online editor for Spoke magazine in New Zealand too. For as long as she's been riding, she has been equally happy getting stuck into a kit review as she is creating stories or doing the site admin. When she's not busy with all the above she's roasting coffee or coaching mountain biking in the Forest of Dean. 

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Tour de France Winning Bikes by Year (1903 to 2023)

36 different bike brands won the Tour de France in 110 editions. In this article, cycling fan Alex Lee breaks down the top 12 bike brands that have won at least 3 times.

Jonas Vingegaard rode a Cervélo bike to his second Tour de France overall win in 2023 with SRAM Red eTap AXS electronic groupset and Reserve Wheels.

Depending on the stage profile, Jonas Vingegaard’s bike can be a Cervelo R5, S5, or P3.

• Cervélo R5 is an all-rounder, lightweight road race bike for the mountains.
• Cervélo S5 is an aero bike for the flat stages.
• Cervélo P5 is a time trial bike that Jonas rode to win the Stage 16 ITT.

Full specifications and setup of Jonas Vingegaard’s bike.

Cervelo bikes

2023 Cervelo R5 vs S5 vs Caledonia 5 vs Soloist

Cervelo S5 Frame Geometry (2018-2023)

Cervelo Soloist Frame Geometry (2022-2023)

Cervelo Caledonia Frame Geometry (2021-2023)

Cervelo Aspero Frame Geometry (2019-2023)

2023 Cervelo R5 Size Charts and Guide

Pinarello – 15 wins

L’auto – 10 wins, peugeot – 10 wins, gitane – 9 wins, trek – 10 wins, alcyon – 7 wins, eddy merckx – 5 wins, automoto – 4 wins, bianchi – 3 wins, colnago – 3 wins, helyett – 3 wins, la sportive – 3 wins, tour de france winning bikes by year.

Throughout 110 editions (up to 2023), the Tour de France has been won by 36 different bike brands . Many of these brands are unknown to cycling fans today. Few bike brands, such as Colnago, Pinarello , Specialized , and Trek , are synonymous with cycling fans today.

The road bike industry has undergone massive change and innovation in the past 20 years by introducing new technologies such as electronic shifting , carbon fiber frames, disc brakes, and tubeless tires .

This article will go back in history and explore all the Tour de France winning bikes .

Pinarello has a long history in cycling, dating back to 19534, when it was founded by Giovanni Pinarello in Treviso, Italy. With 15 Tour de France wins, Pinarello is the most successful bike brand at the Tour de France.

Pinarello’s dominance at the Tour de France can be summed up in two eras.

• Mid-1990s. Miguel Indurain won four consecutive Tour de France from 1992 to 1995, followed by Bjarne Riis (1996) and Jan Ullrich (1997).
• Mid-2010s. Team Sky (Ineos-Grenadiers) won seven Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins (2012), Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), Geraint Thomas (2018), and Egan Bernal (2019).

Today, Pinarello’s top-of-the-line bike is the Pinarello Dogma F .

L’Auto (now L’Equipe) is not a bike brand but the French newspaper that started the Tour de France in 1903.

From 1930 to 1939, Henri Desgrange, the newspaper’s owner, required all riders to paint their bikes’ downtube with L’Auto as part of the marketing campaign and publicity stunt to increase the race profile.

During that period, riders competed based on national teams, so there wasn’t any commercial conflict of interest.

Today, most of us know Peugeot as the French automotive brand. Peugeot started making bicycles way back in 1882 and won their first Tour de France with Louis Trousselier in 1905 and their last win came in 1977 with Bernard Thévenet.

In the past 50 years, the bicycle arm of Peugeot has gone through various ownership. Today it’s part of Cycleuope, which owns bike brands such as Bianchi and Gitane.

Here’s an interesting fact; Peugeot has a complete bike lineup from road to mountain, city, kids, and electric bikes.

2023 Tour de France Bikes and Gear

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Gitane is a French bike brand synonymous with racing from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s. All nine of Gitane’s Tour de France wins occurred during this period with legendary French riders such as Bernard Hinault (4), Jacques Anquetil (2), Laurent Fignon (2), and Belgian Lucien Van Impe (1).

Today, Gitane is part of Cycleuope, which owns the Bianchi and Peugeot bike brands. Gitane produces mostly city and mountain bikes today. They don’t have much presence outside of France.

Founded in 1976, Trek is one of the leading bike brands today with its men’s and women’s World Tour teams.

Trek’s first Tour de France win was in 1999 by Lance Armstrong. For the next seven years until 2005, Lance Armstrong dominated the Tour de France, helping to raise Trek’s profile in the United States and worldwide. In 2012, all seven of Lance’s Tour de France wins were nulled.

Trek’s other three Tour de France wins were with Alberto Contador in 2007, 2009, and 2010 although the 2010 win was later nulled.

Trek offers the riders three types of road bikes; Trek Emonda (lightweight), Trek Madone (aero) and Trek Domane (endurance), and the Trek Speed Concept (TT).

Alcyon was a French bicycle, motorcycle, and automotive brand active from 1903 to 1954. They sponsored their own cycling team from 1905 to 1959 under different names such as Alcyon-Dunlop, Alcyon-Soly, Alcyon-Armor, and Alcyon-Leroux

Their first Tour de France win was in 1909 with François Faber, a Luxembourgian rider. Their last win was in 1929 with Belgian Maurice De Waele. From 1930 onwards, the Tour de France organizers required the teams to paint their bikes’ downtube with L’Auto, the newspaper that started the Tour de France.

2023 Tour de France Riders’ Gear

Wout van Aert’s Red Bull Helmet at the 2023 Tour de France

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Mark Cavendish’s Bike at 2023 Tour de France

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Eddy Merckx is no stranger to cycling fans. He’s widely known as the most successful cyclist of all time , winning the Tour de France (5 times), Giro d’ Italia (5 times), and 34 Tour de France stages .

The Eddy Merckx bike brand was only started in 1980 after he retired. Eddy Merckx was riding bikes built by Masi and Kessels with his name painted on the downtube for his five Tour de France wins.

In 2008, Eddy Merckx sold all his shares in the company to Sobradis, a Belgian holding company. In 2017, another Belgian company, Race Productions, which owns Ridley Bikes, took over Eddy Merckx after struggling with sales for the past decade.

Automoto was a French bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer that started in 1902. It was the dominant bike brand in the mid-1920s, with four consecutive Tour de France wins from 1923 to 1923 with three different riders.

In 1930, it was bought by Peugeot and sadly discontinued in 1962.

Bianchi is the oldest bicycle manufacturing company today. It was founded in Italy back in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi who was a 21-year-old medical instrument maker.

All of Bianchi’s three Tour de France wins were achieved by Italian riders. Fausto Coppi won in 1949 and 1952 and Marco Pantini won in 1998. Bianchi was present at the World Tour with Team Jumbo-Visma (2014 to 2020) and Team BikeExchange (2021.

Team Arkea-Samsic will ride the Bianchi Oltre (aero) and Bianchi Specialissima (lightweight) at the 2023 Tour de France.

Today, Bianchi bikes are known for their Celeste color, also known as Bianchi Green.

Colnago has a long history, dating back to 1952. It was founded by Ernesto Colnago near Milan, Italy. In May 2020, Chimera Investments LLC, based in the UAE, acquired a majority stake in Colnago.

Colnago’s first Tour de France win was in 1960 by Italian rider, Gastone Nencini. It was a long 60-year wait for their second win until Tadej Pogačar won two consecutive Tour de France in 2020 and 2021. He also won the Best Young Rider and Climber Classification in these two years riding the Colnago V3Rs .

In 2023, Tadej Pogačar will be riding the Colnago V4Rs in an attempt to win his third Tour de France General Classification .

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Helyett is a little-known French bicycle manufacturer started by the Picard brothers in 1926. It took its name from a lead character from a late 19th-century play, Miss Helyett, which is why the Helyett logo has a young women’s face on it.

Frenchman, Jacques Anquetil won three of his five Tour de France onboard a Helyett bike in 1957, 1961, and 1962.

La Sportive’s three Tour de France wins occurred right after World War 1, from 1919 to 1921. Right after the war, Europe was in bad shape and many bicycle manufacturers were either out of business or didn’t have the manufacturing capabilities.

The remaining brands include Alcyon, Armor, Automoto, Clément, La Française, Gladiator, Griffon, Hurtu, Labor, Liberator, Peugeot, and Thomann came together. They provided more than half the peloton with various bicycles and components so that the Tour de France can take place.

Once each brand recovered from the aftermath of World War 1, La Sportive disbanded in 1922.

Tour de France Records and Stats

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Which Rider the Most Tour de France Appearances?

Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.

He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.

Mr. Mamil's content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content is not a substitute for official or professional advice. Please do your own due diligence.

Mr. Mamil participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and at times we earn a commission through purchases made through links on this website.

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Stage 1 | 06/29 Florence > Rimini

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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.”

• Giro d'Italia

Tom Pidcock to race Tour de France and Paris Olympics mountain bike in 2024

British super talent will have just eight days between the end of the Tour and the XCO event in Paris

Matilda Price

Racing news editor.

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© UCI Mountain Bike World Series

Tom Pidcock won the final round of the XCO World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada

Multidisciplinary star Tom Pidcock ( Ineos Grenadiers ) has revealed that he plans to ride both the Tour de France and the cross-country mountain bike event at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Speaking to Red Bull’s Just Ride podcast , MTB world champion Pidcock confirmed his hopes to ride both events next summer, despite just eight days separating the final stage of the Tour and the XCO race in Paris.

Read more: UCI World Championships: Tom Pidcock takes cross-country mountain bike title in Glentress

He also hopes to ride the Olympics road race, which takes place just another five days after the mountain biking.

Pidcock is the defending Olympic champion in XCO mountain biking after winning the race in Tokyo in 2021, but is opting to mix his title defence aims with another assault on the Tour de France, having taken a memorable win atop Alpe d’Huez in 2022.

“Next year, I want to go and defend my title at the Olympics, but I also need as many points as I can get,” he said, referring to the MTB ranking points that determine Olympics qualification and start order. His world title in August has already secured his spot in Paris, but his ranking will decide how good his start position is.

“But also I’ve got to balance that with the team, and they need me or want me at the Tour, so I have to be there and at my best at the Tour, and I have eight days between the end of the Tour and the Olympics.

“It’s going to be on the limit, it’s not going to be easy, but I’m giving myself the best chance.”

Despite being several months away still, Pidcock has carefully planned his approach to the Olympics, going and racing the final World Cups in North America to try to gain enough points to allow him to skip the early rounds of the 2024 season and focus on road preparation.

“Doing these races now at the end of this year sets me up better for next year, because it means that I don’t have to go to the mountain bike races in the spring, which means I’ll have a longer prep for the Tour, which means hopefully I should come out of the Tour in a better condition and cope with it better, meaning that in eight days I can be ready.”

Double Olympic ambitions, but MTB course disappoints

He also confirmed that he plans to race the road race in Paris, taking place just a few days after the mountain biking, which would be his first time racing road at the Olympics, but this is dependent on making the Team GB selection.

Pidcock won’t be the only rider possibly racing the Tour de France and the Olympics MTB concurrently, with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) also plotting a ride in both, though sources around the Dutchman have suggested he would cut his Tour short in favour of the mountain biking.

Read more: Mathieu van der Poel may only ride one week of 2024 Tour de France

Both riders were in action at the recent Olympics test event in Paris, won by Victory Koretzky, though Pidcock gave a harsh critique of the Elancourt Hill course.

“I wasn’t that impressed to be honest,” he said. “They’ve just gravelled over a hill. It’s big gravel, slippy - they could have made a more exciting track, because there is a hill there, and they could have made some nice natural features, but I think they’re scared it’s going to rain.”

Balancing road and off-road

Though he is the world champion and is hoping to become a two-time Olympic champion, Pidcock reaffirmed that the priority remained road racing, and that that - and the interests of Ineos Grenadiers - were key.

“I’m a road rider, but I’m better at cross and mountain biking,” he joked.

“I ride for a road team, so the priority for them - and also me, to be honest - is the road,” he said. “With mountain biking, for example in the spring when I do the World Cups in April, it’s just nice to get away from the road for a bit. Mountain bike is just a bit more of a relaxed atmosphere. It’s where I can go and just enjoy riding.”

Whilst riding the Paris Olympics XCO race straight off the back of the Tour de France may not be the most enjoyable experience on the bike, Pidcock will be hoping the work pays off with another gold medal next summer.

INEOS Grenadiers

• Nationality United Kingdom
• Founded 2010
• Team Principal Dave Brailsford
• UCI Code IGD
• Bike Sponsor Pinarello

Tom Pidcock

• Team INEOS Grenadiers
• UCI Wins 13
• Height 1.7m

Mont-Sainte-Anne

• Dates 8 Oct
• Race Length 0 kms
• Start Mont-Sainte-Anne
• Finish Mont-Sainte-Anne
• Race Category Elite Men

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The Tour de France Glossary

Flamme rouge ? Hors catégorie ? If you’ve ever wondered what Tour announcers are saying, we’ve got you covered.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

But don’t worry: We’ve got you covered with this Tour de France glossary. Use it as a guide help you navigate what the commentators are saying and why.

Arrière du peloton - French for “rear of the peloton,” or those riders at the back of the main group. See: peloton.

Attack - An aggressive, high-speed jump away from other riders.

Bidon - French for “water bottle.” Riders go through several a day. While grabbing one from the team car, riders can often receive a “sticky bidon”—that is, they hold onto the bottle for a few seconds as the driver accelerates, thus towing them along and giving them a brief pull.

Blocking - Legally impeding the progress of riders in the pack to allow teammates a better chance of success (see: soft-pedal).

Blow up - To suddenly be unable to continue at the required pace due to overexertion.

Break, breakaway - A rider or group of riders who escaped the pack.

Bridge, bridge a gap - To catch up with a rider or group that has opened a lead.

Broom wagon ( voiture balai) - A van that follows the race each day, picking up riders who have dropped out and giving them a ride to the stage finish. It also signals the end of the race itself, meaning local authorities are free to open the roads to traffic.

Categorized climb - Most of the Tour’s major ascents are ranked according to certain guidelines, though it’s not all set in stone. In decreasing order of difficulty, official climbs are rated 1, 2, 3, and 4, though the toughest climbs are considered “beyond category” (see: hors catégorie ).

Champs-Élysées - The famous cobbled boulevard in downtown Paris that hosts the finish of the final stage of the Tour de France. Riders make several laps of a circuit that takes them around the Arc de Triomphe, through the Place de la Concorde, and up and down both sides of the Champs.

Christian Prudhomme - A former journalist who is now the general director of the Tour de France. As head of the sport’s biggest and most important race, Prudhomme is one of the most powerful people in cycling.

Directeur sportif - A French term essentially meaning head coach. The DS is responsible for planning team strategy on each stage and throughout the overall race. He’s usually the one directly answerable to sponsors, so he also operates as PR director, chief corporate liaison, head cook, and bottle washer.

Domestique - A French term for those riders willing to sacrifice their own ambitions for the sake of their teams. Domestiques do things like grab water bottles, ride into the wind to give their leader a draft (see: drafting), or pace their leader back to the peloton in the event of a flat tire .

Doping - Originally meant in reference to blood doping, or withdrawing blood to re-inject it later on to boost red blood cell count and oxygen uptake. Now meant to include any performance-enhancing substances, most of which are banned from competitive use and only some of which are testable.

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Drafting - Tucking in closely behind another rider to escape the wind, therefore saving you energy. See: slipstream.

Dropped - To be left behind by the rest of the field. Also known as “off the back” or “out the back.”

Echelon - A form of paceline in which following riders angle away from the leader to get maximum draft in a crosswind.

L’Équipe - A French daily newspaper covering sports. Used to be called l’Auto and serve as chief sponsor of the Tour.

Feed zones - A designated point on a stage where team personnel can pass food (often little pastries or finger sandwiches) and water bottles to riders. Huge groups of kids will wait after the feed zones because riders tend to toss away empty bottles and musettes once they’re done chowing down.

Field sprint - The dash for the finish line by the main group of riders. Also known as a bunch sprint or pack finish.

Flamme rouge - A red flag that hangs from an inflatable banner 1K from the end of each stage to let the riders know the finish is approaching. For sprinters, the flamme rouge indicates when they should launch their final dash for the line. For climbers, it means the pain will end soon.

Full tuck - An extremely crouched aerodynamic position used to achieve maximum speed on descents.

General Classification (GC) - The ranking of riders from first to last according to their total elapsed time, with the first rider boasting the lowest or fastest time. The yellow jersey goes to the GC leader at the end of each day.

Green jersey ( maillot vert) - First awarded in 1953, it goes to the leader of the Points Classification. Riders can earn these points at stage finishes and certain mid-stage sections (see: intermediate sprint). Flat stages award the most green jersey points, which is why field sprinters often win the competition.

Grand Départ - French for “great departure,” it’s the start of the Tour de France. This often takes place in France itself, but has increasingly gone to foreign cities to generate international interest in the race.

Grand Tours: The three most prestigious road races in professional cycling, each held annually over the course of three weeks: the Tour de France in July, the Giro d’Italia in late spring, and the Vuelta a España in late summer.

Grupetto - Large groups of dropped riders that often form at the back of the race on mountain stages. Grupettos are generally filled with sprinters and riders who have finished working for their team leaders.

Hors catégorie - French for “beyond category,” a rating reserved for the most challenging climbs, such as the Alpe d’Huez.

Hors délai - See: time limit.

Intermediate sprint - Found in the middle of each stage, this section awards points in the Tour’s green jersey competition. The first 15 riders to cross the line at these locations earn points.

King of the Mountains (KoM) - A competition for the best climber, which runs on a points system like the green jersey. The leader wears the polka dot jersey .

Lanterne rouge - The last rider in the General Classification. The term, which means “red lantern,” originated in the early days of the Tour, when a car bearing a red lantern would follow the last rider, signifying the back end of the race.

Leadout - A race tactic in which a rider accelerates to maximum speed for the benefit of a teammate in tow. The second rider then leaves the draft and sprints past at an even greater speed.

Lieutenant - The team leader’s right-hand man who helps keep things organized during the stage. The lieutenant also plans and executes strategy, like chasing down breakaways or setting up the final sprint.

Musette - A small cloth bag filled with snacks and water bottles that riders pick up while passing through feed zones. They’re notorious for causing crashes after they’ve been discarded, making feed zones—and the sections immediately following them—some of the most dangerous moments on each stage.

Off the back/out the back (OTB) - See: dropped.

Paceline - A group formation in which each rider takes a turn breaking the wind at the front before pulling off, dropping to the rear position, and riding the others’ draft until he reaches the front again.

Pau - Only Paris and Bordeaux have hosted more Tours de France than Pau, a city at the foot of the Pyrenees that the race visits almost annually.

Peloton - The largest cluster of riders on the road at any given time. Also called the bunch, group, pack, or field.

La Planche des Belles Filles - One of the newer summit finishes, found in the Vosges. With an average gradient of almost 9 percent and several pitches that hit 20 percent, the climb always serves as an early indicator of the Tour’s true overall contenders.

Polka dot jersey - First given in 1975, it goes to the leader of the King of the Mountains competition. Riders earn points at the top of each categorized climb.

Poursuivant - French for “pursuer,” it refers to those riders who break away from the peloton to chase the race leaders (see: “ Tête de la course”).

Prologue - A short stage held as the opener of the Grand Tours. It’s usually less than 5 miles long and designed mainly as a showcase kick-off (and a way to get the yellow jersey on someone’s back right away).

Publicity caravan - A huge procession of vehicles that traces the day’s route before the pack. Each Tour sponsor has at least one car, making the caravan bigger than the race itself in terms of personnel.

Pull (pull through) - To take a turn at the front.

Pull off - To move over after riding in the lead so another rider can come to the front.

Pyrenees - A mountain range on the border between France and Spain.

Rollers - An indoor bike trainer that works like a treadmill for bikes. (Also, a series of short hills.) Tour riders use them to warm up prior to a stage.

4 Great Rollers and Trainers

Tacx Antares Retractable Rollers

Simple, durable, and designed to help you stay on, these rollers are affordable and great for riders looking to try out rollers.

The most affordable, fully immersive smart trainer for those wanting the virtual riding experience.

Alloy Rollers

Simple and durable, these traditional rollers will stand the test of time.

Kinetic RS Power Bike Trainer

This is a reliable trainer that lets you get into the virtual world for far less than most.

Slipstream (draft) - The pocket of calmer air behind a moving rider. See: drafting.

Soft-pedal - To pedal without actually applying power. If a rider is in a solo break, his teammates will impede the chase effort by soft-pedaling at the front of the pack. If a racer in a break doesn’t want to take his pull, he’ll soft-pedal.

Soigneur - Team staffers that basically take care of anything not covered by the directeur sportif or the team mechanics. That includes things like finalizing hotel arrangements, assembling the day’s musettes, giving massages, doing laundry, and countless other necessary, thankless tasks.

Summit finish - Stages that end atop a categorized climb are called summit finishes. Time gaps here are usually large as climbs separate riders into groups, with often one rider winning alone or “solo.”

Switchback - A 90-degree or greater turn.

Take a flyer - To suddenly sprint away from a group.

Team time trial (TTT) - A race against the clock with two or more riders on a given team working together. See: time trial.

Tête de la course - French for “head of the race,” it refers to the rider or riders in the lead at any given point on a stage.

Time bonus - Awarded to the first three finishers at the end of each stage (besides the time trials). Bonuses of 10, six, and four seconds count toward each rider’s place on the General Classification. Time bonuses of eight, five, and two seconds are also awarded at special sprints near the end of key stages.

Time limit - Riders must finish each stage within a certain time limit, calculated based on difficulty, average speed, and the winning rider’s finishing time. Those who fail to finish within that time are considered hors délai, or “beyond the limit,” and must leave the race.

Time trial (TT) - A race against the clock in which riders start at set intervals and cannot give or receive a draft. Racers may use aero bars and helmets, which aren’t allowed in ordinary stages.

Le Tour - Whenever someone says le Tour , it’s plain they mean the Tour de France. No other race gets this treatment.

Tourmalet - First appearing in 1910, the Tourmalet has been climbed more than any other ascent in Tour history. Located in the heart of the Pyrenees, it can be approached from two equally difficult sides.

Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) - The official governing body of professional cycling worldwide.

Vosges - A mountain range in eastern France.

White jersey ( maillot blanc) - Created in 1975, it recognizes the Tour’s Best Young Rider, or the rider under age 26 with the highest position on the General Classification.

Yellow jersey ( maillot jaune) - First awarded midway through the 1919 Tour, it identifies the rider currently leading the General Classification.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

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The Pyrenees stages with the Premier Official Tour Operator

LIVE race-viewing of the key Pyrenees stages during Week 2 of the Tour de France. Witness the Tour LIVE on the iconic climb to Pla d’Adet and enjoy VIP access to the Stage Finish in Pau. Ride the Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde, Port de Bales – and of course the Tourmalet!

Thomson Tour de France K/QOM Challenges are the trips of choice for avid cyclists of all abilities looking for a unique blend of LIVE race-viewing and challenging riding.

Be there on Pla d’Adet to experience the Tour de France LIVE on this iconic climb. Mingle with pro riders and Tour celebrities with our privileged VIP access to the Departure Village and Team Paddock at the start of Stage 15 in Loudenvielle. Experience a memorable day in Pau with an official ride across the Finish Line before the peloton, a photo shoot on the Official Podium, then witness the Finish of Stage 13, LIVE from the Official VIP Lounge.

Riding is also a key feature of every Thomson Tour de France trip and on this trip you’ll have the opportunity to conquer numerous famous climbs including the legendary Col du Tourmalet, the Col d’Aspin, the Col de Peyresourde, the Port de Balès (where Andy Schleck dropped his chain in the 2010 TDF),  and one of our favorite climbs, the little-known but super-challenging climb to Cap de Long on the Spanish border. 

Live Race Viewing

VIP Hospitality Lounge at the Stage Finish in Pau

Private Hospitality Marquee on the final climb to Pla d'Adet

VIP Departure Village & Team Paddock access in Loudenvielle

Next Departure

July 9th 2024

Rental Bike

USD $ 7,695

7 days / 6 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

Dan Stevenson, USA — 2022

Tour de France

We had the time of our life. Each ride was carefully planned. Peter and his team inspired us to ride harder and better than we thought we could. Thank you!!!

Rachel Dubois, Singapore — 2017

Ross Sly, Australia — 2019

Daily itineraries

Only with Thomson: a choice of 3 fully supported rides each day. With daily rides from 25km to 150km (15 miles to 90 miles), no matter your fitness level, we’ve got you covered!

Your partner doesn’t ride but is a Tour de France fan: no problem, our Non-riding Companion program features daily activities and Tour de France viewing for those who prefer not to ride.

Check out our Sport, Performance, Epic and Non-Riding Companion itineraries below.

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Itineraries

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Itinerary Detail

Bienvenue en France!

Your trip starts at Toulouse Blagnac Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in St Lary.

After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on our warm-up ride, a magnificent ride through the rolling hills that surround the Aure Valley. Serene roads and spectacular mountain landscapes set the scene for the week to come!

After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on our warm-up ride which takes you high into the hills above the Aure Valley over the Col de Ris. Serene roads and spectacular mountain landscapes set the scene for the week to come!

After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on our warm-up ride over the famous Cat.1 climb to the Col de Val Louron-Azet, a spectacular climb with stunning views of the high peaks that mark the border with Spain.

Your trip starts at Toulouse Blagnac Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in St Lary. In the afternoon we’ll organise a walk around the small town of St Lary, a very quaint mountain town with lots of lovely cafés where we can enjoy a coffee.

Port de Balès (Chaingate)

Your first big ride in the Pyrenees and we’ve picked the legendary Tour de France climb, the stunning Col d’Aspin, as your first test. The Aspin was the favorite climb of Thomson Bike Tours co-founder, the late Paul Rogen – and Paul never missed an opportunity to ride this climb whenever he left his home in Connecticut for a trip in the Pyrenees!

You’ll ride from the hotel and enjoy a 15km warm-up before reaching the town of Arreau where you’ll start the climb to the Aspin. Enjoy the ride and don’t forget to stop along the way to marvel at the highest peaks in the Pyrenees off to your left as you’re climbing!

First big ride in the Pyrenees and we kick things off with one of our favorite Pyreneeen climbs. The Port de Bales was first introduced to the Tour de France in 2007 when a gravel forestry trail was asphalted allowing a connection between two valleys. It’s probably best remembered for the “chaingate” incident in 2010 when Alberto Contador attacked Andy Schleck after Andy had dropped his chain.

Stunning scenery, no traffic, great pavement, fantastic views from the summit, and on a par with the Tourmalet in terms of difficulty all combine to make the Port de Bales one of our all-time favorite climbs. It’s a long ride so our staff will advance you 50km in the vans, to the village of St Bertrand de Comminges. From St Bertrand you’ll have a 10km warm-up before reaching Mauleon-Barousse and the start of the climb. From the summit, enjoy the great descent before the final climb of your trip, the iconic Col de Peyresourde.

Stunning scenery, no traffic, great pavement, fantastic views from the summit, and on a par with the Tourmalet in terms of difficulty all combine to make the Port de Bales one of our all-time favorite climbs. From the summit, enjoy the great descent before the final climb of the day, the iconic Col de Peyresourde.

Ainsa visit

Our hotel in St Lary is very close to Spain and today we’ve organised a day-trip over the border into Spain to visit the beautiful town of Ainsa. Sitting on a hlll-top above the new town, the medieval town is a real gem to visit. Enjoy tapas and wine in the Plaza Major which dates back to the 12th century then discover Ainsa’s narrow medieval streets on a walk around the old town.

The Tourmalet

Today’s your chance to ride the most famous of all Pyreneen climbs – the legendary Col du Tourmalet.

After breakfast you’ll jump in one of our support vans for a short, 30-minute transfer to the Hourquette d’Ancizan where you’ll start the ride. The descent through the vast prairies that surround the Hourquette is one of the prettiest rides in the Pyrenees. The village of Sainte Marie de Campan signals the start of the climb to the Tourmalet. The summit lies 17km ahead at an altitude of 2115m. Bon courage!

Setting out from the hotel your first challenge is in the form of the Cat.1 Hourquette d’Ancizan. The descent of the Hourquette takes you to Ste Marie de Campan and the start of the Tourmalet. Enjoy a snack at the famous cafe on the summit before heading back down to Ste Marie and the start of the magnificent ride over the Col d’Aspin and back to your hotel in St Lary Soulan.

Today’s your chance to ride the most famous of all Pyreneen climbs – the legendary Col du Tourmalet. And trust Thomson to add an extra twist, and have you climb it not once, but twice – from the Ste Marie de Campan side and from the Luz St Sauveur side. Only with Thomson!

Setting out from the hotel your first challenge is in the form of the Cat.1 Hourquette d’Ancizan. The descent of the Hourquette takes you to Ste Marie de Campan and the start of the Tourmalet. Enjoy a snack at the famous cafe on the summit before heading down to Luz St Sauveur where you’ll turn around and head back up for your 2nd “Tourmalet” of the day.

Pic du Midi Observatory

Today, your cycling partner will be climbing the most famous climb in the Pyrenees, the Col du Tourmalet. You’ll also head towards the Tourmalet, stopping at the ski station of La Mongie where you’ll take the spectacular cable car to the Pic du Midi summit and observatory. After visiting this famous site, we’ll continue on to the Col du Tourmalet where we may time it right to have a coffee with your partner at the café on the summit.

Ride over the Finish Line, Podium Photo Op & LIVE VIP Race-Viewing of the Stage Finish

A unique opportunity today to ride your bike across the Official Finish Line just a few hours before the peloton – followed by a photo shoot on the Official Podium. You’ll round off an amazing Tour de France day by witnessing the Race Finish from the VIP Tribune at the Finish Line in Pau.

We’ve secured access to the VIP Tribune located at the Finish – and to get there you’ll enjoy a beautiful ride through the French countryside on the actual race route of today’s Tour de France stage, so you can expect to be cheered on by thousands of passionate fans.

Podium Photo Op & LIVE VIP Race-Viewing of the Stage Finish

Our cycling group will be riding across the Official Finish Line just a few hours before the peloton where you’ll be invited to join them for a photo shoot on the Official Podium. You’ll round off an amazing Tour de France day by witnessing the Race Finish from the VIP Tribune at the Finish Line in Pau.

LIVE Race-Viewing: Private Hospitality Marquee on the final climb to Pla d'Adet

A summit finish today on the famous climb to Pla d’Adet where george Hincapie won the Tour de France stage back in 2005. Pla d’Adet is situated directly above our hotel in St Lary Soulan so you’ll ride from the hotel on a short warm-up before meeting up with the Tour de France race route and the final climb to Pla d’Adet. Riding this legendary climb on race day will be an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Enjoy!

Our Logistics Team will have set up our Race-Viewing Hospitality Marquee on the climb to Pla d’Adet which will be buzzing with thousands of passionate fans excited to see the stage finish on this legendary climb. Enjoy the atmosphere from the comfort of our Private Hospitality Marquee. Food, drinks, and satellite TV race coverage will keep you entertained as you wait for the peloton to approach.

A summit finish today on the famous climb to Pla d’Adet where george Hincapie won the Tour de France stage back in 2005. You’ll ride from the hotel over the Col d’Azet Val Louron then along the valley where you’ll meet up with the Tour de France race route before the final climb to Pla d’Adet. Riding this legendary climb on race day will be an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Enjoy!

A summit finish today on the famous climb to Pla d’Adet where George Hincapie won the Tour de France stage back in 2005. You’ll ride from the hotel over the classic Col d’Aspin where you’ll meet up with the Tour de France race route on the climb to Hourquette d’Ancizan then along the valley before the final climb to Pla d’Adet. Riding this legendary climb on race day will be an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Enjoy!

A big mountain stage in the Pyrenees with the Stage finishing in Pla d’Adet, directly above our hotel in St Lary. Our staff will drive you to close to the summit where our Logistics Team will have set up our Race-Viewing Hospitality Marquee where you’ll join thousands of passionate fans excited to see the stage finish on this legendary climb. Enjoy the atmosphere from the comfort of our Private Hospitality Marquee. Food, drinks, and satellite TV race coverage will keep you entertained as you wait for the peloton to approach.

LIVE Race-Viewing: VIP Departure Village & Team Paddock access

After breakfast you’ll head over to Loudenvielle to experience the start of Stage 15 of the Tour de France. You’ll have privileged access to the VIP Departure Village and Team Paddock, a great place to mingle and meet the riders as they relax and warm-up before the start of today’s stage.

In the afternoon join our ride leaders for a magnificent final ride to one of our favorite Pyreneen climbs, the Col de Val Louron Azet, with it’s spectacular views of the high peaks that form the border with Spain.

After the ride, we’ll meet up in the Hotel Bar to toast a sensational week in the Pyrenees with a few celebratory drinks before dinner.

In the afternoon join our ride leaders for a magnificent final ride which features the spectacular climb to Cap de Long, rated one of the most beautiful (and challenging) climbs in the Pyrenees.

Today the Tour de France leaves the region and heads out on a challenging mountain stage to the Plateau de Bielle. We’ll head over to Loudenvielle to experience the start of the Tour de France stage. You’ll have privileged access to the VIP Departure Village and Team Paddock, a great place to mingle and meet the teams and individual riders as they prepare for the start of the stage. In the evening, we’ll meet up in the Hotel Bar to toast a sensational week in Italy with a few celebratory drinks before dinner.

Au revoir et à bientôt!

Sadly, your Tour de France trip in the Pyrenees has come to an end.

Our private shuttle will drop you off at Toulouse Blagnac Airport.

Map & Profile

Orléans > Saint-Amand-Montrond

Heading through the Sologne forest, it’ll be difficult to predict the outcome of this stage, as the weather may play a significant role. After leaving Issoudun, the riders will find themselves on roads exposed to the crosswinds that scattered the peloton a decade ago. With three changes of direction in the last 30 kilometres, there’s a real chance of echelons forming.

Évaux-les-Bains > Le Lioran

There’s only one stage across the rugged Massif Central, but what a stage it is! With 4,350 metres of vertical gain, the riders will have to be on their mettle at all times, and particularly in the final 50 kilometres, when the degree of difficulty rises a level with a series of very challenging obstacles: the climb to the Col de Néronne, then to the Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol with its fearsome final two kilometres, then continuing on to the Col de Pertus, the Col de Font de Cère and the ascent to Le Lioran. They provide all manner of opportunities for eager climbers to attack.

Aurillac > Villeneuve-sur-Lot

The aesthetic landscapes of the Cantal and Lot regions won’t distract the baroudeurs (breakaway specialists) from the knowledge that there’s something for them to play for. The terrain here is all hills, with the climb to Rocamadour standing out – it’ll be tackled in the opposite direction to the route taken by the 2022 Tour time trial. The second part of the stage is more suited to the sprinters’ teams that are set on chasing the break down. However, on two previous and similar stages into Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the breakaway managed to hold off its pursuers.

The Lot-et-Garonne serves up some lovely balcony roads early in the stage, when the formation of the breakaway will be closely monitored by the sprinters’ teams, who will have studied the route carefully. If they judge their effort correctly, they won’t be caught out by the day’s escapees. However, amidst the hilly terrain approaching the finish, the Blachon and Simacourbe climbs could pose a problem for those sprinters who don’t feel comfortable in the hills.

Pau > Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d´Adet

The dynamic format of the first Pyrenean stage is accentuated by the fact that battle is unlikely to commence until the riders have gone through Lourdes. From that point, with 80 kilometres remaining, there’ll be a festival of climbing, featuring the Col du Tourmalet, the Hourquette d'Ancizan and the climb to Pla d'Adet. Fifty years on, the finish line will be exactly where it was when Raymond Poulidor celebrated victory in the 1974 Tour.

Loudenvielle > Plateau de Beille

The third Sunday of the Tour could prove crucial. Whatever’s happened on the previous days in the mountains, the terrain on this stage is ripe for revenge or confirmation, with 4,850 metres of vertical gain on the menu over almost 200 kilometres of racing. All manner of scenarios could play out, and it’s not unrealistic to imagine that team-mates of the GC contenders will attempt to infiltrate the breakaway climbing the Peyresourde. That would prove invaluable given what lies ahead, especially in a finale that features the climbs of the Col d’Agnes and the Port de Lers followed by the final haul up to Plateau de Beille.

Rest Day: Gruissan

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Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan

The top hotel in the Pyrenees for cyclists and the Thomson Pyrenees HQ every year! The Mercure is located in the quaint, Pyrenees village of St Lary Soulan, surrounded by phenomenal rides and iconic climbs. The Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Pla d'Adet, Portet, Port de Balès, Hourquette d'Ancizan, Val Louron-Azet, Super-Bagneres are all within riding distance of the hotel.  The hotel itself is a gem, absolutely fantastic food, great rooms, a wonderful bar and the most welcoming staff. A home-from-home for the Thomson staff! 

Pick-up and Drop-off

What's included

Rental bikes

Specialized Aethos Expert

Aethos FACT 10r Carbon

Di2 Shimano Ultegra

699g (size 56)

11-36t (12-speed)

49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

Guest Experience

Elevate your riding experience to new heights as you conquer legendary ascents that have tested the mettle of cycling's elite. Picture yourself pedaling through panoramic vistas, tackling hairpin turns and steep gradients, all while astride top-tier bikes meticulously fine-tuned by professional mechanics. With a support crew unparalleled in their dedication, every mile becomes a triumph, every summit a personal victory. Fulfill your lifetime riding goals and immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of the pro peloton, where the passion for cycling meets the grandeur of the mountains. This isn't just a trip—it's a unique opportunity to challenge yourself and ride the same paths as cycling legends.

VIP Experience

Embark on the ultimate cycling pilgrimage with our exclusive VIP trip to witness the Tour de France in unparalleled style. Immerse yourself in the thrilling energy of the race with spectacular access to the start and finish lines, as well as prime vantage points along major climbs like the legendary Col du Tourmalet and the Col du Galibier. Rub shoulders with cycling royalty as you meet the pro riders up close, savoring the electrifying atmosphere of the world's greatest cycling event. Indulge in the epitome of luxury with our VIP areas, where the finest champagne and cuisine await you. Experience the Tour like never before – you'll be as close to the pros as a Directeur Sportif, creating memories to last a lifetime. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, meticulously supported by the Thomson team, and elevate your passion for cycling to new heights.

Legendary Climbs

Get ready to ride your way into cycling history! Join us on an exhilarating adventure that puts your climbing skills to the ultimate test along the legendary routes of the Tour de France. Channel your inner pro cyclist as you conquer iconic climbs such as the formidable Tourmalet and the breathtaking Galibier. Feel the rush of ascending these famed Cols, surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes that have witnessed cycling greatness. This isn't just a ride; it's a chance to immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of professional cycling, supported by a dedicated team ensuring you tackle each ascent like a champion. Grab your bike, bring your determination, and let's ascend to new heights together!

2024 TDF K/QOM Challenge – Pyrenees

Experience the Tour de France with the Premier Official Tour Operator

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• Mont Blanc Tunnel closed night of 2/3 May 2024
• Festival 'Montagne en Scène' this Thursday 2 May 2024 in Chamonix
• Mont Blanc Tunnel closed from 2 Sept to 16 Dec 2024
• Skier 25, dies on Aiguille Verte after 500 meter fall
• Magic Mont-Blanc, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 April 2024

At the foot of Mont Blanc (4808m or 15,770ft), the highest mountain in western Europe, Chamonix's alpine town atmosphere

The resort of Chamonix has three 5 star hotels, eleven 4 star hotels, twenty two 3 star hotels, thirteen 2 star hotels

TransferFix, we help you find your Chamonix transfer

Since 1934, Snell Sports has been the largest mountain shop in the Chamonix Valley.

Compare & Book Online with Chamonix.net

Mountain bike in the alps: the tour of mont blanc by mountain bike.

The Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB) is the circumnavigation of the Mont Blanc massif. It's an absolutely spectacular ride passing glaciers, crossing high mountain passes and traversing the frontiers of France, Switzerland and Italy.

Originally a walker's route, it is becoming a popular tour for mountain bikers. There are a lot of tracks in each valley and many variations possible; half on road - half on track - fully on road - fully on track. The classic Walker's route has a lot of unrideable parts and does involve a lot of carrying (especially the Col du Bonhomme and La Bovine sections).

Take care on some of the mountain tracks on steep slopes. A fall here may have serious consequences.

Accommodation : You can choose to stay in refuges, hotels or camp depending on which route you take.

Equipment : Maps (French IGN Top 25 3630OT & French IGN Top 25 3531ET), a bike repair kit and warm clothing. This is alpine riding and the weather can deteriorate very quickly.

An Itinerary Example: Starting from Chamonix

Variants of this classic tour have been developed which involve as little as 1 hour pushing in the 4 day trip. This route avoids as many of the unrideable parts as possible. It is still a very tough tour, and vehicle support is recommended. The total elevation gain is about 8000 metres including use of a cable car on the first day and a train on the last.

Day 1 : Take the Balcon Sud in the direction of Les Houches then cross town to the Bellevue lift station. Take the lift to the top and then come down the Col de Voza; from there descend into the Bionnassay valley and zig-zag the hairpins down into the Contamines valley. Once there, continue south towards the Col du Bonhomme.

This track is not rideable at the summit and the descent is highly technical; so take the walking path on the left hand side or go right down in to the valley until you get to the road that goes to the Rosental lake. At the Rosental lake go by road in the direction of Chapieux. This road will take you to a really steep pass (La Culaz) which, by this point at the end of the day, will take a fair effort. Spend the night in the Nova hut or camp out.

Day 2 : Set off again from the Nova hut heading east in the direction of the valley of the Col de la Seigne (2516m). This track is pretty harsh and ends up not cyclable for 200 or 300 metres from the summit of the pass. You'll get an extraordinary view from the top.

From the Col de la Seigne come down the footpath; it's difficult but do-able and finally ends up as a forest track that flanks the side of the Val Veni. You'll pass the huge Miage and Brenva glaciers. The track ends at Courmayeur. Take the road that goes up to Val Ferret. The road becomes a 4x4 track and snakes up to the Elena hut at 2062m.

Day 3 : Behind the Elena refuge there is a hiking trail that leads to the Grand Col Ferret ( 2537 m). This section is not bike-able. You must walk your bike about 90m. From the top of the pass, the trail heads down a very steep and challenging slope towards Switzerland.

This becomes a forested track near the village of Ferret. From there, take the route that leads to Martigny. About 30km downhill! Stop in the village of Champex.

Day 4 : From Champex continue on the Mont Blanc track towards the Col de la Forclaz. After the pass it's possible to get to "Les Jeurs" by road. For this itinerary, that leads to the border, take the only possible road on the left.

In "les Jeurs" the road becomes a 4x4 track that is easily rideable to the Col des Posettes - this marks your return to the Chamonix valley. From the top of the pass go down the forestry track to the village of Le Tour and return to Chamonix either by the Balcon Nord or by road.

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Pogacar starts explosive first Giro weekend in pole but potholes await

The outstanding Slovenian cyclist is putting the hype in perspective as he prepares for his debut in historic Grand Tour

T adej Pogacar may be the outstanding bet to win his debut Giro d’Italia, but the Slovenian is also acutely aware of how three weeks of Grand Tour racing can throw up sudden, unexpected moments of weakness.

He has exploited that in the past, usurping his stunned compatriot Primoz Roglic to win the 2020 Tour de France. But he has also been victim, as in last year’s Tour, when Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard applied the coup de grâce on the Col de la Loze.

Pogacar, leader of the powerful UAE Emirates team, a serial winner this spring at Strade Bianche, the Volta a Catalunya and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, is the hottest favourite to start a Grand Tour for years, but he knows that Italy’s capricious Corsa Rosa is best treated with respect.

The 21-stage Giro begins on Saturday in Turin and has a potentially explosive opening weekend, with the first summit finish coming as soon as Sunday, on the 12km climb to the Santuario di Oropa at Biella. The three-week race also features two individual time trials and six mountain finishes prior to the final stage in Rome on 26 May.

Speaking before the race, Pogacar tried to put the hype into perspective by showing due deference to elders, such as Geraint Thomas, of Ineos Grenadiers and French veteran, Romain Bardet, leader of Team dsm-firmenich PostNL.

“There’s a lot of good riders in this Giro,” Pogacar said. “In three weeks there can be a lot of surprises. Bardet has shown some good form and Thomas, like always, will be good in this Giro.”

The 25-year-old Slovenian has been both audacious and arrogant this spring, winning with long, lone breakaways – a jaw-dropping 80km in Tuscany’s Strade Bianche in March followed by an equally bold solo attack to win the coveted Belgian Classic Liège–Bastogne–Liège – but quickly dismisses any suggestions of complacency.

“Every race I go to, I’m the favourite now,” Pogacar said, “so I just have to live with it,” adding that “everyone is trying to race against us and we need to control from the start.”

Thomas, who has already described Pogacar as destined to be “one of the greatest,” is in a relaxed frame of mind as he returns to a race that he lost last May by a handful of seconds. “It takes the pressure off us because everyone expects Pogacar to win,” the Welshman said.

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As ever, the volatile weather, the specifics of racing in Italy and the steepness of legendary climbs such as the beloved Stelvio and the dreaded Mortirolo, will play a big part in the outcome of a race that is sometimes depicted as dull, but that usually provides a suitably dramatic finale.

Thirty-somethings Bardet and Thomas are definite podium contenders, but Pogacar’s most likely rivals may be lesser-known names, such as the fast-rising Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks, who will lead the Visma-Lease a Bike team and Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale’s Australian leader, Ben O’Connor, fourth in the 2021 Tour de France and more recently second overall in last month’s Tour of the Alps.

But for the moment, this Giro is set to be all about Pogacar, already hugely popular in Italy after two wins in Strade Bianche and three victories in the season-ending Giro di Lombardia.

His showboating and swagger is not to everyone’s taste and the apparent ease of his dominance also triggers cycling’s sceptics, but his appetite for racing and winning, shows no sign of abating. French critics have depicted him as an “ogre,” and his rivals at this Giro are now wondering just how monstrous he is willing to be.

• Giro d'Italia

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