We take the same and start again ? The Tour de France, which starts on Saturday from Bilbao, in the Basque Country, promises a new battle of the leaders between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar, great favorites of a 110e edition designed for climbers.
Who are the favourites?
Two riders, winners of the last three editions, stand out. Jonas Vingegaard, second in 2021 before winning his first Tour last year. And Tadej Pogačar, first in 2020 and in 2021, then second in 2022. The two remain on a breathtaking start to the season. Vingegaard has just flown over the Dauphiné. Pogačar launched his year on a foundation worthy of Eddy Merckx, with victories in the Paris-Nice race and the Tour of Flanders, in particular.
But the Slovenian suffered a major setback when he broke his wrist on April 23 during Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He made a reassuring comeback last weekend in his national championship. Will he be totally ready to win back the Tour de France? “100%”, assures Adam Yates, his luxury lieutenant in a UAE team which seems better armed than last year.
Vingegaard will not be able to count on Primož Roglič, resting after his victory at the Giro, but will always have the Belgian Swiss army knife Wout van Aert at his side. For the shy Dane, the question first concerns his ability to resist the double pressure of being the sole leader and defending champion.
What course?
Hard ! With nearly 56,000 meters of total elevation gain, a record 30 passes, the crossing of five massifs in France and a single time trial, short (22.4 km) and uphill, the Tour de France 2023 is clearly designed for climbers. And it starts very strong, with a first stage full of climbs around Bilbao, “certainly the most difficult opening stage of the last 50 years”, according to the course architect, Thierry Gouvenou.
We will then quickly enter the Pyrenees, perhaps a little less difficult than usual, but the route still includes mythical passes such as Soudet, Marie Blanque, Aspin and Tourmalet. Then move on to the Massif Central, and the ascent of the Puy de Dôme for the first time in 35 years. Then in the Jura, with an arrival at the top of the Grand Colombier on July 14. Followed by the Alps, with in particular the main stage towards Courchevel, which passes through the Col de la Loze (2304 m). And a very hard penultimate stage in the Vosges.
What to expect from the French?
The dream of having a successor to Bernard Hinault, the last French winner in 1985, seems unattainable. On paper, the best hope is called David Gaudu, who came in fourth last year and is aiming for the podium. He will have the support of Thibaut Pinot, author of a good Giro, who intends to shine one last time on the Tour before retiring. Romain Bardet (DSM), second in 2016, will also aim for the overall, as will Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), another safe bet.
To vibrate, the public will count on Julian Alaphilippe, who must make his big comeback after a year of absence, as a hunter of stages. Christophe Laporte, Vingegaard’s teammate, was the only Frenchman to raise his arms last year. And the very fresh champion of France, Valentin Madouas, will have the wind at his back after his huge number on Sunday in Cassel.
Who should we keep an eye on?
Besides the French, there is an ambitious Australian double with Jay Hindley, winner of the Giro 2022, and Ben O’Connor, the leader of AG2R-Citroën, fourth in 2021.
The Spanish-speaking colony is imposing with the Spaniards Enric Mas and Mikel Landa, the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz and the Colombians Daniel Martinez and Egan Bernal. The latter was destined to dominate the Tour for years after his victory, acquired in 2019. But a terrible accident cut his wings and, if he stays on a correct Dauphiné (12e), the Ineos runner does not seem able to compete with the very best.
Among the main absentees are the Welshman Geraint Thomas, third in 2022, and the Belgian world champion Remco Evenepoel.
Which king of the sprint?
Despite its mountainous profile, the 2023 Tour also has something to please sprinters: it includes eight plain stages, including four in the first week (Bayonne, Nogaro, Bordeaux and Limoges).
Popularized by the Netflix series, the Dutch Fabio Jakobsen and the Belgian Jasper Philipsen will want to show their muscles. Belgian superhero Wout van Aert said he won’t be aiming for the green jersey, but we should see him in the sprints, as will his great rival Mathieu van der Poel and Eritrean Biniam Girmay, who will make his Tour debut of France.
The legendary British runner Mark Cavendish, 38, has set himself an ultimate goal: to win a 35e stage win to break the record he shares with Merckx.