Stage 1 – 2023 Tour de France – Bilbao – Bilbao

On Saturday 1 July 2023 the Tour de France starts with a medium mountain stage in and around Bilbao in the Basque country. The stage is 185 kilometres long and it includes 5 classified climbs. Highlights of the stage include a succession of medium mountains plus a double passage through Guernica, a place of remembrance made famous by Picasso’s painting.

Climb 1 – Cote de Laukiz

After just 15km the first climb is the Côte de Laukiz. The climb is 2km long with an average of 6.6%.

Climb 2 – Côte de San Juan de Gaztelungaxte

After a flat section of 30km the second difficulty of the day is 4.4km long with an average of 5.2% which is not classified before the Côte de San Juan de Gaztelungaxte which is a 3.6km climb at 7.7%.

Climb 3 – Côte de Morga

After a long section with rolling terrain plus a descent into Gernika-Lungo, the Côte de Morga is 3.8 km at 4.8%.

Climb 4 – Côte de Vivero

Straight after descending the Morga, the Côte de Vivero is 4.3km at 6.9%.

Climb 5 – Cote de Pike

A flat section of 10 kilometres gives the last bit of respite before the final challenge. The Côte de Pike is 2 kilometres long, averages 10%, and the summit comes at 10 kilometres before the finish. After a descent into Bilbao the last kilometre goes up at 5.4%.