When is Tour de France 2023? TV channel, FREE live stream, stages and riders list for cycling crown jewel

TOUR de France returns TOMORROW - and some of the world's best riders will battle it out to lift the cycling crown jewel in Paris.

Last year's winner Jonas Vingegaard is expected to once again go head-to-head with two-time National Championships winner Tadej Pogacar.

While Great Britain's team INEOS Grenadiers will be hoping that they can pull off a shock result after Geraint Thomas' third-place finish in 2022.

And fans are more eager than ever to watch this year's race after Netflix's release of Tour de France: Unchained documentary.

SunSport have all the information on the 2023 edition below.

BETTING SPECIAL - FREE BETS AND OFFERS FOR TOUR DE FRANCE

When is the Tour De France

• The highly-anticipated race will get underway on July 1 in Bilbao, Spain.
• It takes place over three weeks with two rest days for the riders.
• And then the race concludes on July 23 in Paris, France.

How long is the Tour de France?

• The total Race course amounts to 3,404 Km and the course has four hilly stages, eight mountain stages and eight flat stages.
• Its longest stage is Stage 2 at 209km.
• While the shortest stage is Stage 16 time trial at 22.4km.
• Rider's saddle time is looking to be longer this year with a particularly hilly course with four summit finishes.

What TV channel is Tour de France on and can it be live streamed?

• The Tour de France will be broadcast LIVE on ITV4 in the UK
• You can also stream the entire action on the app which is can be downloaded.

Can I watch it for FREE?

Yes!

Tour de France can be watched for free in the UK as long as you hold a valid TV license.

Who are the favourites to win the Tour de France?

• Vingegaard is on superb form after winning the Critérium du Dauphiné and looking to win the tour again this year.
• Tadej Pogačar is looking to give Vingegaard a run for his money this year after coming second last time.
• British favourite Geraint Thomas will not be riding the tour this year after choosing the Giro d'Italia ,
• Most of the British riders are thought to be aiming for stage wins, such as Tom Pidcock, but unlikely to challenge for the yellow jersey.

Is Mark Cavendish riding the Tour de France?

• Astana's Team selectors will have to decide, after him just completing the entire Giro d'Italia.
• If he rides he will be in line to break Eddy Merckx's thirty four tour win record which he is currently level with.

Is Chris Froome riding the Tour De France and who does he ride for now?

• Former Team Sky rider Chris Froome may not be riding the Tour de France this year.
• This is due to COVID - 19 set backs and the catastrophic accident that ruled him out of the competition in 2019.
• The four-time tour champion suffered from a broken femur, elbow and ribs in his prep for the Critérium de Dauphiné.
• He now rides for Israel- Premier Tech and is aiming to

Tour De France Stages

• Stage 1 : 182km Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain
• Stage 2 : 209km Vitoria- Gasteiz to Saint- Sébastien
• Stage 3 : 187.5km Amorebieta- Etzano to Bayonne
• Stage 4 : 182km Dax to Nogaro
• Stage 5 : 163km Pau to Laruns
• Stage 6 : 145km Tarbes to Cauterets- Cambasque
• Stage 7 : 170km Mont-de - Marsan to Bordeaux
• Stage 8 : 201km Libourne to Limoges
• Stage 9 : 182.5km Saint -Léonard-De-Noblat to Puy de Dôme
• REST DAY - Clermont- Ferrand
• Stage 10: 167.5 km Vulcania to Issoire
• Stage 11 : 180km Clermont - Ferrand to Moulins
• Stage 12 : 169km Roanne to Belleville - En- Beaujolais
• Stage 13 : 138km Châtillion- sur- Chalaronne to Grand Colombier
• Stage 14 : 152km Annemasse to Morzine Les Portes Du Soleil
• Stage 15 : 179km Les Gets Les Portes Du Soleil to Saint- Gervais Mont- Blanc
• REST DAY Saint Gervais Mont Blanc
• Stage 16 : 22.4km Passy to Combloux
• Stage 17 : 166km Saint - Gervais Mont- Blanc to Courchevel
• Stage 18 : 185km Moùtiers to Bourg- En - Bresse
• Stage 19 : 173km Morians-En-Montagne to Poligny
• Stage 20 : 133.5km Belfort to Le Markstein Fellering
• Stage 21 : 115.5km Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines to Paris Champs- Élysées