Adam and Simon Yates, twins but rivals from different teams, took an historic one-two at the end of a dramatic opening stage of the 2023 Tour de France in the Basque city of Bilbao. The two paired up by happenstance about 7.5km from the finish and worked in sync before Adam proved the stronger in the closing two hundred metres distancing his twin without a backward glance to take the win and claim first wearing of the maillot jaune.
2023 marks 20 years of supplying the Tour de France ‘red car’ – the most famous car in cycling.
The Daily Peloton continues its Tour de France preview with a look at this year’s model, the all electric Škoda Enyaq iV and receives some insight into life on the road with full time occupants, race director Christian Prudhomme and driver Gilles Maignan.
Škoda‘s first car supplied to the Tour de France in 2004, used by then Director of the Tour de France, Jean-Marie Leblanc, was a Superb Mk1, a diesel with a top speed of 134mph. For this year’s event the Tour de France is using the Škoda Enyaq iV all electric which debuted at the race on three stages in 2020.
2004 Red Car – Škoda Superb Gen I
2023 Red Car – Škoda Enyaq iV
Diesel
Electric
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
140 PS
201 PS
9.9s 0-62mph
8.5s 0-62mph
134 mph top speed
99 mph top speed
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, commented: “Škoda is an important partner of the Tour de France and the Škoda car number 1 is my office for each stage. The car is a sort of control tower that receives all the information of what is happening on the race route before the arrival of the riders (demonstrations, potential blockage, road and weather conditions).
“Over the course of the 3,500 km race I can spend anywhere between two to nine hours in the car number 1 each day. Needless to say I do spend a large portion of the month of July in the back seat of a Škoda.”
The race director’s Škoda Enyaq iV is not the same as you would pickup from your local showroom. It is a conversion from an Enyaq SportLine carried out by prototype builders Best Modell, under the supervision of Škoda engineers. As part of the transformation, a sunroof was installed above the rear seats while the standard roof bars were made higher to make them easier to hold when the car was in motion. The conversion team also had to design and source a new centre console and cooling cabinet for the traditional bottle of champagne. To ensure that the vehicle’s additional equipment didn’t affect the Enyaq’s driving range, the team installed two 75 ampere batteries in the boot floor. The design was completed by new champagne flute holders, designed and 3D printed in-house by Best Modell.
Škoda Enyaq iV with Race Director Christian Prudhomme
In addition to the body modifications, the Enyaq comes with a number of features that increase its environmental credentials. Among these are special tyres developed by Continental (Major Partner of the Tour de France) specifically for the Enyaq. Used on all Enyaq support models on the event, the special tyres feature carcasses made entirely from recycled PET materials.
Q&A with Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France
How important is the role of the lead car to ensure the race runs smoothly?
Each car has a vital role in the smooth running of the race. Whether it be a Director or a Commissaire car, everyone plays their role to ensure the safe running of the Tour de France for all the parties involved. Car number 1 is a sort of control tower that receives all the information of what is happening on the race route before the arrival of the riders.
How do you work with Škoda to improve the car to support you in your role?
Škoda is an important partner and plays a key and obvious role in the organisation of the Tour de France due to the fact that it is an event where we are almost constantly on the move. We ensure to collect our feedback and share it with Škoda so they can best adapt (if needed) their vehicles for the very specific usage that we have on the Tour de France.
Q&A with Gilles Maignan, Driver of Race Direction Car Number 1
The Race Direction Car Number 1 is driven by two-time French time trial champion, Gilles Maignan. Maignan retired from the sport in 2001 and was asked by Christian Prudhomme to be his driver after he had previously driven him in a VIP car during Prudhomme’s days working for French TV.
In order to take this important role within the race, Maignan first had to obtain an FCC driving license and is required to attend training sessions specific to driving in the Tour de France. Professional cyclists are often recruited to drive inside the race as they know how to anticipate and react according to the movements of the cyclists and peloton. Each year the lead car driver schedules debrief sessions with Škoda to share feedback gathered from all Tour drivers to help improve the vehicles for future Tours.
What are the best car developments over the years that have benefited you?
The switch to automatic gearboxes has really simplified the driving from inside a cycling race, especially for uphill portions. Also, the dashboard on the Superb shows exactly how many kilometres you have driven to the first decimal, which is very important in a cycling race to know how far you are from the finish. We have recently switched to hybrid vehicles which allows me to be in electric mode between the Fictive Start and Real Start of each stage, which is appreciated by the riders who have to stay right behind me on this section.
How does it feel to lead the peloton?
It changes a bit from back when I was a rider. I have an important responsibility to lead out the best riders on the biggest professional cycling race in the world and my job is to help Christian Prudhomme ensure a safe race for everyone, including the spectators.
How do the cars communicate with each other and how has it changed?
This is done through radio communication as it has proven to be the most effective and direct way to communicate, especially when you reach some very remote areas of France where telephone signal can be scarce.
Are there any speed limits that need to be adhered to?
Yes, we cannot go over 50 mph (80 km/h) except for the downhills if a rider is catching up to me. However, the main rule imposed by the UCI is that we cannot go over 12mph (20km/h) faster than the speed of riders.
The Tour de France runs from 1-23 July, starting in the Basque city of Bilbao and finishing on the iconic Champs Elysee in Paris. The race, comprising 21 stages and covering a distance of 3,404-km, features five mountain stages and a sole time-trial of 22km on stage 16. The official race website is here.
The Tour de France runs from 1-23 July, starting in the Basque city of Bilbao and finishing on the iconic Champs Elysee in Paris. The race, comprising 21 stages and covering a distance of 3,404-km, features five mountain stages and a sole time-trial of 22km on stage 16.
Stage List
Date
Stage # Start- Finish
Distance
01/07
Stage 1 | Bilbao – Bilbao
182
02/07
Stage 2 | Vitoria-Gasteiz – San Sébastián
209
03/07
Stage 3 | Amorebieta-Etxano – Bayonne
185
04/07
Stage 4 | Dax – Nogaro
182
05/07
Stage 5 | Pau – Laruns
165
06/07
Stage 6 | Tarbes – Cauterets-Cambasque
145
07/07
Stage 7 | Mont-de-Marsan – Bordeaux
170
08/07
Stage 8 | Libourne – Limoges
201
09/07
Stage 9 | Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dôme
184
10/07
Rest Day
11/07
Stage 10 | Vulcania – Issoire
167
12/07
Stage 11 | Clermont-Ferrand – Moulins
180
13/07
Stage 12 | Roanne – Belleville-en-Beaujolais
169
14/07
Stage 13 | Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne – Grand Colombier
138
15/07
Stage 14 | Annemasse – Morzine les Portes du Soleil
152
16/07
Stage 15 | Les Gets les Portes du Soleil – Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
180
17/07
Rest Day
18/07
Stage 16 (ITT) | Passy – Combloux
22
19/07
Stage 17 | Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – Courchevel
166
20/07
Stage 18 | Moûtiers – Bourg-en-Bresse
186
21/07
Stage 19 | Moirans-en-Montagne – Poligny
173
22/07
Stage 20 | Belfort – Le Markstein
133
23/07
Stage 21 | Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Paris
115
Stage details can be found on the official Tour de France website here
Dutch sprinter Charlotte Kool bounced back from a bad crash on the previous stage to win the final stage at the Ford RideLondon Classique on The Mall on Sunday. Kool (Team DSM) also cemented her win of the race overall, 11#” ahead of American Chloe Dygert (Canyon//SRAM Racing) who swapped places on GC with Elizabeth Deignan (Trek – Segafredo) after the Brit after time bonuses were applied.
While it was odds on on for a bunch sprint the crowds were still treated to a break of three chancing their luck. The trio of Sofie van Rooijen (Parkhotel Valkenburg), Victoire Berteau (Cofidis Women Team) and Grace Lister (DAS-Handsling Bikes) broke away on the fifth of the eight 11.1km laps of the Central London circuit. Within a lap they had built, or been allowed, a lead of more than one minute making Berteau the virtual overall race leader.
Their bid for glory was over by the time the race crossed the finish line on the Mall for the penultimate time. Aussie Sarah Roy (Canyon//SRAM Racing) tried to defy the fates with a late attack but was reeled back in swiftly.
Rounding the corner in front of Buckingham Palace the sprinters batlle reached its climax. UAE Team ADQ lead the peloton onto the Mall with Team DSM on their wheel. Canyon/SRAM Racing took the lead punching for the line a long way out. Chloé Dygert covers the final 100m in the lead but down her right hand side Kool is going faster and overtakes with 20 metres to go to take a narrow victory.
The victory is Kool’ssixth race win of the season but is the first WorldTour stage race general classification success of her career.
“I was in a lot of pain this morning but I think in the race I switched it off and then the team delivered me perfectly, this is really a team win,” she explained, wearing her race winner’s jersey after the podium ceremony.
Explaining the tactics going on in the peloton behind the break she said, “I was quite confident because it was not on us because Canyon needed the seconds to move up in GC. For us it was actually the perfect situation, the bonus seconds were gone, so actually we stayed really calm and they made the chase. Even Trek helped so that was fine for us in the end.” And despite Canyon//SRAM Racing taking the sprint on early on The Mall she remained in control.
“I think I could expect that because she did it before and I just tried to wait as long as possible then I knew I had to go. It was a hard one but I am really happy that I could win the stage also.”
Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) sealed the overall win in Rome this Sunday, while Mark Cavendish riding his last Giro finally claimed the stage win that eluded him through the Italy campaign.
Cavendish enjoyed a lead out from an unlikely source in his bid for glory, none other than long term friend Geraint Thomas. The Manx man took full advantage of the Welsh gift and powered ahead to beat Alex Kirsch (Trek – Segafredo) and Filippo Fiorelli (Green Project – Bardiani CSF – Faizanè) who finished second and third respectively.
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner Mark Cavendish said: “I am super happy, it’s been an incredible day. My team mates have done a great job. My first win was in 2008, to be here again it’s unbelievable. It was very nice to see a lot of colleagues and friends happy for me after the finish like Geraint Thomas.”
Photo credit: Giro d’Italia
Roglič just had to ensure that he finished near the front in Rome to secure his first giro victory so the day was a relaxed affair for most of the peloton which allowed a break of
Giro d’Italia winnerPrimož Roglič said in the press conference: “There’s so much emotion going on after my time trial win yesterday. This was my first time in Rome. The scenery is incredible. It makes me happy to be part of the history with the position I have and I want to say a big thanks to everyone involved. Every Grand Tour is a challenge. I can’t compare my win at the Giro with the Tour or La Vuelta. The Giro was what I was hunting for this year. I wish it was easier to win but it was a pleasure to fight with Geraint Thomas who is a good friend of mine. Having beaten him here won’t affect our relationship.”
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 – Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) 2 – Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 14″ 3 – João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 1’15” 4 – Damiano Caruso (Bahrain – Victorious) at 4’40” 5 – Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) at 5’43”
THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS The leader jerseys of the Giro d’Italia are designed by CASTELLI and produced with SITIP recycled fabrics.
Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma)
Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Agenzia ICE with the brand Madeinitaly.gov.it– Jonathan Milan (Bahrain – Victorious)
Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ)
Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates)
Remco Evenepoel won Stage 9 ITT to take the Maglia Rosa but Geraint Thomas, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Stefan Küng were within four seconds of the Belgian.
STAGE RESULTS 1 – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – 35 km in 41’24″, average speed 50.725 km/h 2 – Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 1″ 3 – Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) at 2″.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1 – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 2 – Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) at 45″ 3 – Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) at 47″ 4 – Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) at 50″ 5 – João Pedro Gonçalves Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) at 1’07”
Remco Evenepoel in full flight May 14, 2023 Savignano sul Rubicone, Italy – Sport – Cycling – Giro d’Italia 2023 – 106th Edi tion – Stage 9 – From Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena (Technogym Village Tutor ITT). Photo Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse
Cesena (Technogym Village), 14 May 2023 – Remco Evenepoel claimed his second individual time trial victory of the Giro but the finish could not be much tighter with Geraint Thomas (1’’), Tao Geoghegan Hart (2’’) and Stefan Küng (4’’) breathing down his neck at the end.
The Belgian started strongly but weakened towards the end of the 35km course. He moved back in the Maglia Rosa with an advantage of 45’’ over Thomas, 47’’ over Primoz Roglic and 50’’ over Geoghegan Hart, making it a top 4 of only Grand Tour overall winners before the first rest day. Previous leader Andreas Leknessund now sits in sixth position with a deficit of 1’07’’.
“What made things even more special was that I did it on Mother’s Day and my whole family here. It was nice to get their support and see them at the finish. It wasn’t easy today with the rain and the cold temperatures, but I’m happy I could pull it off”, said Evenepoel, the only rider with two victories so far at this Giro, after retaking the maglia rosa.
“In the first part of the time trial I paced myself a bit too hard, and then, in the headwind, my legs didn’t turn as fast as in those opening kilometers. I could also feel the damage from the crashes of this week, and in the end it was quite tight, but I’m delighted I could prevail and claim this beautiful pink jersey. It’s nice to have an advantage in the GC before the mountains and I will try to enjoy every moment in the maglia rosa, but for the moment I’m looking forward to recovering on the first rest day before seeing what the next stages have in store”, added Remco, the first Belgian rider in 22 years to amass four days as leader of the Corsa Rosa.
THE OFFICIAL JERSEYS The leader jerseys of the Giro d’Italia are designed by CASTELLI and produced with SITIP recycled fabrics.
Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Agenzia ICE with the brand Madeinitaly.gov.it– Jonathan Milan (Bahrain – Victorious)
Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team)
Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – worn by Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM)
United Arab Emirates, 17 February 2023 – Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the organisers of the UAE Tour, are pleased to announce four more top riders expected to be among the protagonists in the fifth edition of the UAE Tour, taking place from 20-26 February.
Third in the GC in 2022, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain – Victorious) returns to target Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet summit finishes, whilst Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco Alula) and Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers) are ready to battle it out for the the sprint crown.
Mark Cavendish, who joined Astana Qazaqstan Team from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team this season, is the reigning British champion and former world champion (2011), has a glittering history in the UAE, having taken seven victories in his five previous visits. His most recent win at the race was in 2022 UAE Tour, when he edged out Jasper Philipsen on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater to win Stage 2. With an impressive total of 34 Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish shares the record of all-time stage wins with cycling legend Eddy Merckx.
Pello Bilbao (Bahrain – Victorious) returns to the UAE 12 months after securing third place in the General Classification. Bilbao’s podium finish resulted from a great performance on the Jebel Hafeet climb, where claimed the third spot behind eventual race winner Tadej Pogačar and runner-up Adam Yates. A two-time stage winner at the Giro d’Italia, Bilbao kicked off his palmares this season by winning Stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under, and is now ready to show his form at the fifth edition of the UAE Tour.
Photo LaPresse – Fabio Ferrari February 26, 2022 Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Sport Cycling UAE Tour 2022 -MUBADALA STAGE- Stage 7 – Al Jahili Fort at Jebel Hafeet – 91 miles In the pic:Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates),Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) ,Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)
Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco Alula) is just one of the many top sprinters expected to shine during the four stages which look suited to sprinters of this year’s race. The Dutchman is a five-time stage winner of the Tour de France (between 2017 to 2022), and has already had success at the UAE Tour, having won Stage 4 in 2020. This year he already has a win, taking Stage 1 of the Saudi Tour, and will now be looking for more success in the one and only UCI WorldTour race in the Middle East.
Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers) will also be on the hunt for stage wins at this year’s race. The Italian first rode the UAE Tour in 2019, taking a stage victory and the sprinter’s green jersey as part of Deceuninck – Quick Step . Winner of the 2018 Dubai Tour, five stages at the Giro d’Italia, one stage at the Tour de France, and Olympic Champion in the omnium at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Viviani heads to the UAE to target wins in stages 1,4,5 and 6.
Tour of Britain 2023 to finish in Wales as new long term agreement unveiled.
Nic Dlamini and Rory Townsend battle it out during the 2018 Tour of Britain in Wales (SWpix.com)
The Tour of Britain organisers Sweetspot have signed a long term deal with the Welsh Government to bring the UK’s biggest professional cycle race to Wales over the next four years.
The agreement, which began with the 2022 Women’s Tour stage between Wrexham and Welshpool in June, will secure future visits of both races to the principality. The venue for the 2023 finish is yet to be disclosed but is scheduled for Sunday 10 September 2023. It will be the 16th of the modern race that will have taken place in Wales since its return to the calendar in 2004. A further five stages of the Women’s Tour have also been hosted by Welsh regions since the race’s inaugural 2014 edition.
Welsh Government Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming the Tour of Britain back again next year – and to our longer-term partnership with the Tour. Wales’ credentials for hosting cycling events is now well-established. The Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour are the perfect showcase for our landscape and the welcome we provide to the competitors and spectators and we look forward to working with our Local Authority partners as the Tour of Britain continues to reach all points of Wales.”
Following the hosting of the final stage of the 2023 Tour of Britain, the agreement will see the 2024 Women’s Tour start in Wales for the first time ever. In 2025 it will be the turn of the men’s Tour of Britain to start in Wales for the first time since 2018, and then 2026 will see the Women’s Tour’s overall finish in Wales for the first time in seven years.
Anne Adams-King, Welsh Cycling CEO, said:“It’s great news that the Tour of Britain will visit Wales again for 2023 and that the race and the Women’s Tour have secured a longer-term partnership with Welsh Government. We hope this news will help boost the popularity of cycling in Wales and help inspire the younger generation to take up their bikes.”
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour race director, said:“We are delighted to be extending our partnership with the Welsh Government and to be bringing the final stage of the 2023 Tour of Britain to Wales.
“The long-term support of the Welsh Government is invaluable in allowing us to plan for future stages of the races in Wales. Together we are working to reach as many parts of Wales as possible with both races over the next few years in order to give as many fans as possible the chance to see the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour.”
Promo video – courtesy of the Tour of Britain
Since 2004 the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour of together have visited 18 of the 22 local authority regions in the country covering almost 1800 miles (3,000 kilometres) of racing in Wales, visiting the cities of Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and Wrexham, as well as the Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons National Parks.
According to independent reports by the Frontline agency the benefit to the Welsh economy has been in the tens of millions of pounds. The race has also enabled the showcase of both community projects and Wales’ rich portfolio of tourist attractions, from the revamped Carmarthenshire velodrome and the national closed road cycle circuit at Pembrey County Park in Carmarthenshire, to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales and the Great Orme.
Tour of Britain organisers hope to build on the support from the hundreds of thousands of road-side fans and millions more on TV. Since 2012, 12 stages of the men’s Tour of Britain and two stages of Women’s Tour in Wales have been broadcast live, reaching millions of viewers in the UK and around the world. Every stage held in Wales has also enjoyed free-to-air highlights broadcast in Britain.
Further details of the final stage of the Tour of Britain 2023 will be announced in the New Year, with more information on the host venues and routes for the Welsh stages of future editions of both races to be unveiled in due course
Stage 21 (Final): Paris La Défense -Paris (Champs-Élysées), 115.6km
Paris Champs-Élysées, Sunday, July 24th – Belgian Jasper Philipsen outclassed former Champs-Élysées winners Dylan Groenewegen and Alexander Kristoff to take victory on the final stage of the Tour de France. Behind the hurley burly of the sprint Dane Jonas Vingegaard’s arrived with the other four survivors of Jumbo-Visma to claim his first overall victory at a Grand Tour.
Belgian Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 21
Philipsen’s win was the second of the Tour, the first on Stage 15 (Rodez to Carcassonne) and gave him the title of the the most successful sprinter of the 109th Tour de France and the chance to emulate his childhood hero Tom Boonen who also won his second Tour de France stage in Paris at the age of 24 in 2004. It wasn’t enough to give him the points jersey. That honour went to Wout van Aert who didn’t contest the last sprint in order to be alongside Vingegaard at the line.
Second overall went to Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), 2’43” down with Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) at 7’22”.
Mende, Saturday, July 16th – Michael Matthews won again at the Tour de France five years after the last time. Second at Longwy and Lausanne, he became the second Australian to win a stage after Simon Clarke on stage 5 and the second rider from Team BikeExchange-Jayco to win a stage after Dylan Groenewegen on stage 3. The sprinter from Canberra rode as an attacker to finish solo after the Côte de la Croix-Neuve in Mende while Alberto Bettiol and Thibaut Pinot rounded out the podium.
16/07/2022 – Tour de France 2022 – Stage 14 – Saint-Etienne / Mende (192,5km) – Stage Winner Michael MATTHEWS (TEAM BIKEESCHANGE-JAYCO) Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
