To celebrate the Tour de France starting in Spain this year, three weeks before the Gran Départ in Bilbao on 1 July, the amateur worldwide L’Etape gran fondo series by Tour de France will host L’Etape Bilbao, where amateur cyclists will have the opportunity to ride every kilometer, climb and descent of Stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France.

The event will take place on Sunday 11 June on the same shark tooth profile loop Tour de France pros will ride in July, departing San Mamés and arriving in Begoña just southeast of Bilbao. The gran fondo route will cover a very challenging 185 kilometers and ascend 3300 meters on grand tour worthy climbs of Gontzagaraigane, Morga, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Vivero and Pike Bidea.

Shorter 157 and 124 kilometers long routes are also available for those who are not quite ready to “Ride a Full Stage of the Tour de France.”

L’Etape Bilbao is expected to sell out within hours when registration opens, just like L’Etape du Tour which takes place during the Tour de France on 9 July and allows amateurs to ride Stage 14 from Annemasse to Morzine, France.

Photos: L’Etape Bilbao