The Tour de France is the most important annual sporting event in the world. In just 23 days, nearly 200 riders will race over 2,000 kilometers. The Tour is usually conducted in July, but delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic have shifted it around in recent years. While the majority of the race takes place in France’s towns, cities, countryside, and mountains, it frequently begins in another nation.
It’s also completely free to watch; all you have to do is arrive early to avoid the throng and locate a spot to stand!
So, do you know the difference between a yellow and a polka dot jersey?
From your flat to what’s your mountain stage?
If not, we are here to assist you in making the most of this amazing race!
Tour de France Everything You Need To Know
Table of Contents
- Who Is The Last or 2021 Tour de France Champion?
- What is Tour de France?
- How Many Stages Are In Tour de France?
- How Did The Tour de France Started?
- What Is The Meanings Of Colored Jerseys In Tour de France?
- Is Tour de France A Team Event Or Individual?
- What is Peleton – The Group
- Is Tour de France Only Happens in France?
Who Is The Last or 2021 Tour de France Champion?
Tadej Pogaar, 22, is the current champion. When he won the yellow jersey in 2021, the Slovenian cyclist became the youngest rider in 110 years.
He’s also the first individual to win twice in a year, and the youngest to do so (due to the delayed 2020 race)
The first individual to win the yellow, polka-dot, and white jerseys consecutively for two years.
What is Tour de France?
In a nutshell, it’s a massive bike race around France. Millions of spectators line the route, which is made up of 21 stages raced over 23 days, with only two days off in between.
The Tour is made up of twenty-two teams from all around the world, each with up to nine riders.
Have you ever wondered why the riders are so svelte? It’s fair to say it’s a good way to stay in shape.
You could burn up to 118,000 calories if you complete the arduous Tour.
Every day, that’s the equivalent of 26 chocolate bars!
How Many Stages Are In Tour de France?
The event is divided into 21 sections, or ‘stages,’ and it does not take place entirely on flat terrain. The riders will also be taken up into the mountains as part of the Tour.
The various stages are labelled as follows:
Prologue:
Each rider competes in a short (typically under six mile) time trial against the clock.
Flat:
Despite its name, flat does not always imply complete flatness. Typically, large groups of competitors ride together in a ‘peloton’ for about 125 miles. These usually conclude in one of two ways: an individual or small group ‘breakaway’ triumph, or a hair-raising pack sprint.
Time Trial:
A race against the clock is known as a time trial. It’s like a prologue, but it’s a little longer. These are shorter stages, about 30 kilometers in length (as opposed to 100-125 miles). Riders ride alone at times, and as a group at other times.
Mountain:
These exist in different forms and sizes, and can climb from sea level to 2,000 meters in a single day. Tough!
How Did The Tour de France Started?
In 1903, Henri Desgrange launched the race as a publicity gimmick.
To enhance the profile of L’Auto, the newspaper for which he worked, he came up with the wild concept of a bike race around France.
With 60 riders traversing an incredible 1,500 miles, the first event was a spectacular success. The Tour has evolved into a single large race with numerous smaller races taking place inside it.
What Is The Meanings Of Colored Jerseys In Tour de France?
Riders may compete for stage wins or for the opportunity to wear one of the renowned jerseys, which might change hands frequently throughout the race:
Yellow Jersey:
The yellow jersey is the reward that everyone desires. Riders compete ferociously for the chance to wear it for even one day of the race, let alone to be wearing it as the overall champion. you’re the overall race leader in terms of cumulative time since the Tour began.
Green Jersey:
The points prize is the green jersey. Being one of the first cyclists to cross the finish line on each stage earns you points. A sprinter is generally the winner.
Polka Dot Jersey:
However, the tour is not only famed for its high speeds; it is also noted for its uphill battles. The riders will climb thousands of meters up Alpine Alps, with the top rider on each stage receiving a stylish red and white polka dot jersey.
White Jersey:
The white jersey is awarded to the best young rider, who is under the age of 25.
Climbing, sprinting, and time-trialing are all skills that Tour champions possess.
Is Tour de France A Team Event Or Individual?
Although it is a large team event, each team has a key leader. The strongest rider on the team is usually the team leader.
Domestiques:
The other members of the team are known as domestiques, which comes from the French word meaning servant.
Every stage, these riders put in a lot of effort to safeguard their team captain. They’ll even have to go collect water for him (and everyone else) if he wants a drink, and they’ll have to wait while the team mechanic repairs his wheel if he has a puncture. Some even have to give him their bike if he needs it!
The star-man will ride behind his teammates, who will shield him from the wind, making it simpler for him and reducing his fatigue.
Their reward is a portion of the prize money as well as the satisfaction of being a part of a winning team.
Peleton – The Group
When a race is in progress, many cyclists form a large group known as the peleton. This is when they all travel in formation, similar to a flock of birds, to save energy.
Is Tour de France Only Happens in France?
No, it frequently crosses into neighbouring countries, and the race may even begin in another country.
Every two years, the Grand Depart, the opening two days of racing, is hosted in a new site.
In 2007, the Tour began in London, and in 2014, it began in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire has staged its own cycling race, the Tour de Yorkshire, since 2014, which is now held every year and is inspired by hosting the Grand Depart.
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