Tour de France Femmes 2023 - Route

The Tour de France Femmes 2023 promises to be a spectacular and challenging race for the 154 cyclists divided into 22 teams, featuring the best female cyclists in the world. With an impressive route spanning across various regions and departments in France, the riders will be tested on their climbing abilities, strength, and perseverance. Let's delve deeper into the course of this exciting race.

Tour de France Femmes Route in Numbers

✅ Sunday, July 23 to Sunday, July 30
✅ 2nd edition
✅ Total distance: 956 kilometers
✅ Longest stage: Stage 4 (177 km)
✅ Roof of the Tour: Col du Tourmalet (2,110 meters)
✅ 8 stages
✅ 0 rest days
✅ 4 sprint stages
✅ 2 hilly stages
✅ 1 mountaintop finish
✅ 1 individual time trial (total: 22 km)

The Tour de France Femmes 2023 will commence on July 23, 2023, in Clermont-Ferrand, situated in the beautiful region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This second edition of the race will traverse three regions - Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Occitanie - and 11 departments, covering a total distance of over 900 kilometers spread across 8 challenging stages.

The route has been meticulously designed to test the riders in various terrains and environments. It includes flat stages, hilly stages, a mountain stage, and an individual time trial. With both long climbs and fast descents, the riders will have to push their skills to the limit to achieve victory.

Sunday, July 23 - Stage 1: Clermont-Ferrand > Clermont-Ferrand (124 km)

The first stage takes place in and around Clermont-Ferrand. With a distance of 124 kilometers, this stage is classified as a flat stage, which means the riders will encounter relatively little elevation gain. This suggests that there will likely be a sprint for the victory and the first yellow jersey of this tour.

Monday, July 24 - Stage 2: Clermont-Ferrand > Mauriac (148 km)

The second stage takes the riders from Clermont-Ferrand to Mauriac. Covering a distance of 148 kilometers and featuring hilly terrain, the riders will face challenging climbs and fast descents. This stage provides an opportunity for the climbers to showcase their strength and potentially create some differences in the overall classification. The yellow jersey could also change hands during this stage, as the finish is located on a 3.4-kilometer hill with an average gradient of 5.4%. It presents a good chance for the punchers to secure a double prize.

Tuesday, July 25 - Stage 3: Collonges-la-Rouge > Montignac-Lascaux (147 km)

The third stage takes the riders from Collonges-la-Rouge to Montignac-Lascaux. This stage is again 147 kilometers long and is classified as a flat stage. While there are no major climbs, the riders will encounter some challenging hills, although they are unlikely to be difficult enough to make a significant difference. It promises to be an exciting sprint finish where the fast sprinters can excel.

Wednesday, July 26 - Stage 4: Cahors > Rodez (177 km)

The fourth stage, covering a distance of 177 kilometers, will be the longest stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2023. This stage is classified as hilly and will challenge the riders with steep climbs and technical descents. It is a stage where the climbers can showcase their strength and potentially gain an advantage over their competitors.

Thursday, July 27 - Stage 5: Onet-le-Château > Albi (126 km)

The fifth stage, covering a distance of 126 kilometers, takes the riders from Onet-le-Château to Albi. Once again, this stage is classified as a flat stage, indicating that the riders can expect a fast and hectic sprint finish. It promises to be an exciting battle among the sprinters.

Friday, July 28 - Stage 6: Albi > Blagnac (122 km)

The sixth stage takes the riders from Albi to Blagnac, covering a distance of 122 kilometers. This stage is also classified as flat, allowing the sprinters to once again showcase their skills. It will be a battle of the fastest legs and the best positioning in the sprint.

Saturday, July 29 - Stage 7: Lannemezan > Tourmalet Bagnères-de-Bigorre (90 km)

The seventh stage is the queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2023. With a distance of 90 kilometers and a mountain stage, the riders will face challenging climbs, including the famous Aspin and Tourmalet passes. The riders will have to push their limits as they ascend to the top of the Tourmalet, the "roof" of the Tour, at an altitude of 2,110 meters. This stage will likely determine who has the best chance of winning the overall classification.

Sunday, July 30 - Stage 8: Pau > Pau (22 km, individual time trial)

The Tour de France Femmes 2023 will conclude with a 22-kilometer individual time trial in Pau. This is the final opportunity for the riders to improve their positions in the overall classification. The time trial demands pure strength and endurance. It's a battle against the clock, against the times of their competitors, and above all, a battle against themselves.