Cycling: It's finally here. Tomorrow the Tour de France 2023 starts. The Grand Depart takes place in the Basque Country. Traditionally, things get wavy there. Only an absolute top driver can secure the day's victory and thus also the yellow jersey.
The last kilometer is uphill again
The 110th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday in Bilbao with a 182-kilometer section. As we know it from the Tour of the Basque Country, the punchers in particular can look forward to this first stage. Five mountain ratings must be completed. But apart from the awarding of points, there are always ups and downs. The Cote de Pike is crossed at kilometer 173, which means there are still around 10 kilometers to the finish line are to be returned. These are initially downhill before the last kilometer with 5,4 percent is increasing again. That means: A sprinter will not have a chance tomorrow to win the day and get the yellow jersey. It is also possible that the decisive attack will be launched around 11 kilometers before the finish line. Good downhill skills can then help get the lead up over the Finish line in Bilbao to rescue.
Velomotion Prediction: Will Van der Poel Get the Yellow Jersey?
Actually, it is inconceivable that a breakaway group would be successful in the opening stage of the Tour de France. But actually, a Tour of France also begins with a time trial or a flat stage. This year it's different. However, we don't see any breakaways cheering in Bilbao. There will be some teams that dream of taking the yellow jersey today and starting the most important Grand Tour of the season with a day win. On the Côte de Pike, the wheat will already be separated from the chaff. The classification drivers will be attentive and maybe even attack. The day's victory, however, will go to a first-class puncher and downhiller. We tap Mathieu van der Poel who was allowed to put on the yellow jersey two years ago on a similar stage.
*** Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck)
** Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick-Step), Thomas Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers)
* Matej Mohoric (Bahrain - Victorious), Valentin Madouas (Groupama - FDJ), Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R - Citröen)
https://velomotion.de/2023/06/radsport-tour-de-france-2023-teams-1/