Tour de France 2023: When does it begin and who are the top contenders?

It’s the event every passionate cyclist can’t wait to watch every year.

This year’s Tour de France is set to kick off on Saturday, 1st July in Bilbao, Spain with an exhilarating hilly road race. This challenging course will determine the initial wearers of the coveted yellow jersey, signifying the leader in the Tour's General Classification. The origins of the maillot jaune are shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from yellow newsprint to cost-effective fabric choices.

The yellow jersey holds immense significance in the cycling world, representing a career-defining achievement for any rider lucky enough to don it. However, the ultimate battle lies in securing the yellow jersey on the Tour's final day, standing atop the podium in Paris as the overall champion. This prestigious title places riders among the greats of cycling history.

As we anticipate the 2023 Tour de France, a pool of formidable contenders has emerged. The spotlight shines on two frontrunners: defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, who seeks to continue his dominance, and the formidable Tadej Pogačar, who has been recovering from an injury sustained earlier in the season. Alongside them are several athletes aiming to upset the status quo and claim a place on the Paris podium.

Let's take a closer look at some of this year's yellow jersey contenders.

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)

Leading the pack as the prominent favourite for this year's Tour de France is Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard of Team Jumbo-Visma, who won the yellow jersey last year. Despite not assuming the role of team leader in the previous edition, Vingegaard's exceptional performances have propelled him to the forefront this time around. He has dedicated a significant portion of the season to training camps alongside his teammates, showcasing his prowess in the races he has participated in. Notably, Vingegaard triumphed in three out of four stage races, securing a commendable third-place finish in the remaining one. Recently, he achieved a remarkable feat by claiming victory in two stages and the General Classification at the esteemed Critérium du Dauphiné, renowned as a crucial precursor to the Tour de France. Furthermore, Vingegaard will benefit from the unwavering support of one of the Tour's strongest teams, while the course itself aligns favorably with his skill set. Undoubtedly, he stands as the primary contender for the yellow jersey.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)

Slovenia's Pogačar clinched consecutive Tour victories in 2020 and 2021, showcasing remarkable form in the early 2023 season. Despite an injury setback, he is diligently preparing for the Tour, capitalising on high-altitude training and recent race successes. Pogačar's mental advantage, combined with his previous victory over his closest competitor, sets the stage for an intriguing showdown.

Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe)

Fresh from becoming the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia, Hindley enters his debut Tour de France as a formidable contender. A skilled climber, he will benefit from the predominantly uphill course, complemented by a talented support team capable of bolstering his podium aspirations.

Daniel Martinez (INEOS Grenadiers)

Colombia's Martinez leads the charge for Team INEOS, backed by a squad brimming with talent. Although he had a quiet Dauphiné, his performance trajectory might indicate a carefully calculated build-up towards the Tour. In the event of any setbacks, his team possesses additional contenders in Egan Bernal and Carlos Rodriguez.

Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroën)

Australia's O'Connor impressed with a stage win and fourth-place overall finish in the 2021 Tour de France. Despite an unfortunate crash last year, he demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to secure commendable results in subsequent races. With renewed confidence and good form, O'Connor presents a strong podium contender.

Enric Mas (Movistar)

Spain's Mas, a consistent performer, seeks to overcome previous misfortunes and improve upon his fifth and sixth-place finishes in the Tour de France. Leading the team without internal competition, Mas will benefit from the early mountainous stages and a favourable time trial.

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ)

French fans will rally behind Gaudu, narrowly missing out on a podium spot in last year's Tour. As a proficient climber, his chances are buoyed by the hilly opening stages, and his ability to handle mounting pressure will be key to determining his success.

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)

Having previously won the Giro d'Italia, Carapaz aims to achieve another grand tour podium finish, this time with EF Education-EasyPost. Hailing from Ecuador, the 30-year-old is now aiming to reclaim a spot on the Tour de France podium. With the upcoming edition offering an abundance of mountainous challenges and a time trial suited to his strengths, Carapaz sees this year as a prime opportunity to excel.

Tour de France 2023: When does it begin; who are the contenders?