The Tour de France arrives in Bilbao Bizkaia
Bilbao Bizkaia has an endless number of roads, cycle lanes and greenways for cycling, proof of which is that it has been chosen to kick off one of the world's most high-profile sporting events, the Tour de France.
Next Saturday July 1, Bilbao Bizkaia will turn yellow to host the first stage of the 110th edition of the Grand Départ 2023 Pays Basque -Tour de France. Our roads, mountain passes, towns and villages will be witness to the best cyclists in the world passing through.
This legendary and historic cycling event creates a unique atmosphere and arouses great passion from the fans. Just look at the sheer crowd that lines the roads to see these elite sportsmen and women. Remember, you can enjoy this sporting event from July 1 to 3.
3 stages, pedalling for victory
Stage 1 Bilbao > Bilbao
The Tour de France will start with a 185-kilometre stage starting and finishing in Bilbao. This circular route starting and finishing in Bilbao has an accumulated height gain of 3,300 metres, making it a very demanding stage. The peloton will set off from the Guggenheim Museum, one of the city's major tourist attractions, and will pass through several coastal towns in Urdaibai, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The first stage will also lead through Gernika-Lumo, a symbol of universal peace and home to the “Tree of Gernika”, that stands symbol for the freedoms of Bizkaia and the Basque Country.
In this stage, the cyclists will have to cycle up the demanding mountain passes Vivero and Pike Bidea before finishing at the Bilbao City Hall.
Stage 2 Vitoria-Gasteiz > Donostia-San Sebastian
The second stage will start in Vitoria-Gasteiz and will finish in Donostia-San Sebastian after overcoming the summits of the Jaizkibel mountain. This route from the capital of Alava to San Sebastian, sometimes referred to as the Bella Easo, is 210 kilometres long.
Stage 3 Amorebieta-Etxano > Baiona
The last stage of the Tour de France in Bilbao Bizkaia starts in the town of Amorebieta-Etxano and will finish in the Basque-French town of Baiona. It will cover 80 kilometres with the incredible Basque coastline as a backdrop. This stage passes by the picturesque ports of Lekeitio, Donostia-San Sebastian and Irun and the winner of the race will take the stage in Baiona.
