Actually, the route takes in more than five climbs along the way, but only five are classified. Straight from the start it goes up and the first KOM summit of the 2023 Tour appears as ealy as kilometre 14.5. The Côte de Laukiz is 2.1 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 6.6%.
The riders descend onto a flat section of 30 kilometres before the second ascent brings 4.4 kilometres at 5.2% to the mix. This one doesn’t count for the KOM competition though, but the next obstacle does. The Côte de San Juan de Gaztelungaxte – 3.6 kilometres at 7.7% – is crested with 115 kilometres to go.
A rolling section with an extended false flat and and ensuing descent into Gernika-Lungo ushers in last hour of racing. With 42 kilometres remaining the riders crest the Côte de Morga – 3.8 kilometres at 4.8% – and shortly after the descent the Côte de Vivero goes up for 4.3 kilometres at 6.9%. The route doesn’t go down at the summit, but a few kilometres later.
A flat section of approximately 10 kilometres leads to the foot of the ultimate test. The Côte de Pike is 2.2 kilometres long, averages 9.9%, and peaks out 10 kilometres before the line. The riders fly down into Bilbao before the route starts to rise again under the flamme rouge. The last kilometre goes up at 5.4%.
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Tour de France 2023 stage 1: routes, profile, more
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