The Tour de France is undoubtedly the world\u2019s most prestigious and most famous bicycle race. This year the race starts across the border in the Basque Country, the first time the race has started there since 1992. A handful of hilly stages open the action before the race crosses the Pyrenees into France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The route features only 22km of time trialling, all coming on the hilly stage 16. Four summit finishes also feature, including the Puy de D\u00f4me for the first time in 35 years and the Grand Colombier in the Pyrenees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mountainous course brings a tough final week, concluding with a final showdown in the Vosges to Le Markstein on stage 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2022 champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) will return to defend his title after dispatching two-time winner Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates) last July. The Slovenian is racing after recovering from a fractured wrist in April, while Vingegaard starts off the back of the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other big-name GC men lining up at the start in Bilbao include David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Enric Mas (Movistar), Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citro\u00ebn), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tour de France Odds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n