Tour de France
Week 1
Grand Depart & Pyrenees
TDF K/QOM Challenge – Week 1 Grand Depart & Pyrenees
The Grand Depart and Pyrenees stages with the Premier Official Tour Operator
LIVE race-viewing of the opening stages in the Basque region of Spain and the French Pyrenees. Ride the Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Portet, Jaizkibel and many more of the legendary climbs in the Pyrenees and Spain.
Live Race Viewing
VIP Departure Village & VIP Finish Tribune in Bilbao
Stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián
Ride over the Finish Line, Podium Photo Op & LIVE Race-Viewing
Stage 6: Tarbes to Cauterets
Private Hospitality Marquee on the Tourmalet
Overview
Details
Next Departure
June 30th 2023
From
USD $6,495
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes
Rental Bike
USD $500
Overview
Thomson Tour de France K/QOM Challenges are the trips of choice for avid cyclists of all abilities looking for a unique blend of LIVE race-viewing and challenging riding.
Experience the opening stages of the Tour de France in Bilbao and San Sebastián, and witness the key Pyrenees stage live on the Col du Tourmalet from the comfort of our Private Hospitality Marquee. Mingle with the pro riders and Tour celebrities with our privileged VIP access to the Departure Village at the Opening Stage in Bilbao, and cherish the unique experience of riding across the Finish Line ahead of the peloton in San Sebastián.
You’ll also have a challenging ride program. You’ll conquer numerous famous climbs including the Col du Tourmalet, Col de Portet, Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde, Col d’Aspin and the legendary Jaizkibel climb, just 20km from the Finish of Stage 2 in San Sebastián.
No one rides like Thomson!
Cameron Ferries, Australia — 2018
Cheryl Sherwood, USA — 2019
Ben Polichronopoulos, USA —
3 fully supported daily rides!
Yes, that’s correct! Each day you’ll have the choice of 3 different fully supported rides – from 20km to 130km (12 miles to 80 miles). No matter your fitness level, our extensive ride program has you covered. Perfect for couples who love to ride but have different fitness levels.
Check out our Sport, Performance and Epic ride programs!
Performance Itinerary
RIDE ITINERARY SELECTOR
Click the tabs to see our flexible ride
programmes.
You can change between rides each day.
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Welcome to Spain! | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 01 | Welcome to Spain! | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 01 | Welcome to Spain! | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 02 | LIVE Race-Viewing: The Opening Stage | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 02 | LIVE Race-Viewing: The Opening Stage | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 02 | LIVE Race-Viewing: The Opening Stage | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 03 | LIVE Race-Viewing, Ride over the Finish Line & Podium Photo Op in San Sebastián | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 03 | Ride over the Finish Line, Podium Photo Op & LIVE Race-Viewing in San Sebastián | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 03 | LIVE Race-Viewing + Ride over the Finish Line & Podium Photo Op in San Sebastián | Hotel Barceló Costa Vasca | |||
| 04 | Into the Pyrenees | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 04 | Into the Pyrenees | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 04 | Into the Pyrenees | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 05 | Port de Balès (Chaingate) | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 05 | Port de Balès (Chaingate) | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 05 | Col de Val Louron-Azet | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 06 | The stunning Cap de Long | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 06 | The stunning Cap de Long | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 06 | Col d'Aspin & Hourquette d'Ancizan | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: Private Hospitality Marquee on the Tourmalet | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: Private Hospitality Marquee on the Tourmalet | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 07 | LIVE Race-Viewing: Private Hospitality Marquee on the Tourmalet | Hotel Mercure, Saint Lary Soulan | |||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| 08 | Au revoir! | ||||
| Performance Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Spain!
Your trip starts at Bilbao Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in San Sebastian.
After a brief orientation meeting, lunch and bike build-up, you’ll head out on your first ride in the Basque Country. The warm-up ride takes you into the rolling hills to the south of San Sebastian before the climb to Igeldo and the incredibly scenic coastal road that leads back to the hotel in San Sebastian.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
LIVE Race-Viewing: The Opening Stage
The 2023 Tour de France kicks off today with a magnificent stage, starting and finishing in Bilbao.
This is a unique opportunity to witness both the start and the finish of the Opening Stage of the Tour de France. You’ll have privileged access to the VIP Departure Village, a great place to mingle and meet the riders as they prepare for the start of the 1st stage of the Tour de France. After the official departure, enjoy lunch in Bilbao before rounding off an amazing Tour de France day by witnessing the Race Finish from the VIP Tribune at the Finish Line in Bilbao.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
LIVE Race-Viewing, Ride over the Finish Line & Podium Photo Op in San Sebastián
A unique opportunity today to ride your bike across the Official Finish Line just a few hours before the peloton – followed by a photo shoot on the Official Podium. You’ll round off an amazing Tour de France day by witnessing the finish of Stage 2 in San Sebastián.
In addition to all of the above, you’ll also enjoy a spectacular ride through the rolling hills of the Basque Country to the medieval town of Hondarribia. Leaving Hondarribia you’ll ride the legendary Jaizkibel climb, the ultimate climb in the annual Clásica San Sebastián pro race, and where you can expect to be cheered on by thousands of passionate Basque cycling fans.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Igeldo from Aginaga |
4.8% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No major climbs today | |||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jaizkibel from Hondarribia |
5.5% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Climbs
Stage
Grand Depart
Stage 1
Bilbao > Bilbao
The Basque Country doesn’t lack options when it comes to offering opportunities to the puncheurs. With 3,300 metres of vertical gain and a double springboard where gaps can be created in the final 30 kilometres in the shape of the Vivero and Pike climbs, discussion about the identity of the first Yellow Jersey holder will focus on attackers with real pedigree, those capable of taking allying their instinct to their power.
Stage 2
Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastián
Those familiar with the San Sebastián Classic will find themselves in familiar territory, especially when it comes to the eight-kilometre ascent of the Jaizkibel, which always plays a decisive role in the selection during that race. Beyond the summit, there’s a 20-odd kilometre drop into Saint-Sébastien.
Stage 3
Amorebieta-Etxano > Bayonne
Another phase begins as the race reaches French soil in the department of Pyrenees-Atlantiques, where the sprinters will for once be to the fore. The profile of the closing kilometres for what is the Tour’s reunion with Bayonne will give the sprinters’ teams the chance to manoeuvre their lead-out trains into position. The winner of the first sprint always gets a big lift from their success.
Stage 4
Dax > Nogaro
The stage is set for a rematch between the sprinters, but the hilly terrain of the Gers could also suit a small breakaway group. Their cooperation would have to be total to hold off the peloton, while the finish on the Nogaro motor-racing circuit will provide the stage winner with a success with a rare flavour. The peloton’s speedsters will certainly want to go head to head on the final 800-metre straight.
Stage 5
Pau > Laruns
There’s still time for questions going into the first rendezvous in the mountains. The climbs of the Col de Soudet and Col de Marie Blanque will provide some answers about the form of the contenders for the title, but the terrain isn’t really suitable for big attacks. That said...
Stage 6
Tarbes > Cauterets
The Pyrenean challenge continues on a route where those with ambitions of overall success will have to deal with the Aspin and Tourmalet passes. However, the course through the mountains will also pique the interest of other riders. Those puncheurs who are in good form could still take aim at the Yellow Jersey, as the climb to the Plateau du Cambasque isn’t an insurmountable obstacle, its gradient averaging 5.4% over 16km.
Stage 7
Mont-de-Marsan > Bordeaux
The visit to the department of Landes doesn’t provide much hope for breakaways, as the profile invites the sprinters’ teams to control the race. The two-kilometre finishing straight along the quayside will allow them to stake their claim for victory in the high-speed dash to the finish line near the Place des Quinconces, hailed by the people of Bordeaux as the biggest in France.
Tour de France
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | |||||||
June 30 to July 7 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $6,495
|
USD $850 |
n/a |
Book this trip | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Tour de France Viewing
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
Merchandising
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Tour de France Viewing
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
Merchandising
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Bilbao Airport |
June 30th at 9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport |
June 30th at 9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Hotel Carlton Bilbao |
June 30th at 9:30am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Toulouse Blagnac Airport |
July 7th at 10:00am |
Rental Bikes
Frame
Felt FR Advanced
Groupset
2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed
Weight
7.7kg (size 53)
Wheels
Reynolds AR46 DB Custom
Chainrings
48x35
Cassette
10-33
Sizes
47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Price
USD $500
See Videos
VIP Departure Village Experience
Meet the riders and Tour celebrities in the VIP Departure Village
VIP Ride across the Finish Line
Official VIP ride across the Finish Line followed by a memorable photo shoot on the Official Podium
No-one prepares like Thomson
An inside view of how we prepare a Thomson trip, to ensure you have the optimal experience
TDF K/QOM Challenge – Week 1 Grand Depart & Pyrenees
Experience the Tour de France with the Premier Official Tour Operator
