2023 Tour de France Grand Depart Challenge
23rd June – 25th June
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Why Book This Trip?
Join us for the 2023 Tour de France Grand Depart Challenge with Sportive Breaks. The Grand Départ of the 110th edition of the Tour de France will take place in Bilbao.
The race for yellow will start with 3 days in the cycling mecca of the Basque Country in northern Spain. The first takes place on Saturday 1 July 2023 and will be a hilly loop around Bilbao. Stage 2 starts in Vitoria-Gasteiz and finishes in San Sebastian. Stage 3 starts near Bilbao and will finish in France in Bayonne.
The 2023 Tour de France Grand Depart Challenge with Sportive Breaks is once in a lifetime challenge to ride Stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France. We ride the full route the week before the riders of the 2023 Tour de France. We will stay in Bilbao at a 4 star hotel with breakfasts and dinners included. Our local team will support you with mechanical assistance plus assistance on the road with support vehicle and feed stops. Airport transfers from Bilbao Airport are included. Bike rental is also available.
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
Ride Stage One of the Tour de France: Ride stage one of the 2023 Tour de France. This is a circular 185km long medium mountain stage with start and finish in Bilbao.
Premium 4* accommodation: Stay in the centre of Bilbao with breakfast and dinner included.
Full support included: Our local team looks after you with mechanical support, feed stops, support vehicle and ride captains on the ride.
What's Included?
Accommodation
4* hotel in Bilbao
Included Meals
Daily breakfast and dinner included
Transfer
Return transfers from Bilbao
Mechanic
Mechanic and vehicle support
Private Feed Stop
During the ride
Additional Extras
Bike Rentals – Various options available
Itinerary
Day To Day
Arrive Bilbao, transfer to hotel, meet and greet in the afternoon at hotel.
Hotel: Mercure Bilbao on half board
Meals: Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- Transfer from Bilbao Airport to Hotel
- Ride preparation
Today’s Activity: Bike building and rental bike fitting at hotel
Following breakfast, we will depart the hotel and ride Stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France. During the ride we will support you on the road with mechanical and emergency assistance if required. We will set up feed stations every 30km. A support vehicle is following the group.
Hotel: Mercure Bilbao half board
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Hotel
Daily Highlights:
- Ride stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France
- Group dinner
Today’s Ride: Ride Stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France
After breakfast we say goodbye, your transfer will take you to Bilbao Airport
Sportive Options
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%.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 185km | 3300m | 5/5 |
Our team are local to the area so we can provide you with the best possible support. Our hotel is in Bilbao and you will have breakfasts and dinners included. Bike rental is available and if you bring your own bike, mechanical assistance is available throughout the weekend. Please note that the challenge will take place on roads that are open to traffic. As well as providing you with the GPX file for the stage, we also provide you with a fully supported experience. We have ride leaders on the road with you plus we offer feed and assistance points every 30km. Our support vehicles will be on hand throughout the day to support you on this epic challenge.
