Written by I bought the NBC Sports Tour de France package so that I could watch the race. The race takes place in France and the little towns and villages are so beautiful as the cyclists ride through. At times the race is about as exciting as watching grass grow, but if you watch the next day you can catch the highlight videos. As I was watching, I realized that I really had no idea how this race works, so I did some research and I am passing it along to you.
- Le Tour de France is an annual race which began in 1903
- It lasts 3 weeks – there are 21 days of racing and 2 rest days
- The course changes every year, but always ends in Paris
- There are 9 flat stages, 4 medium mountain stages and 5 mountain stages
- There are 20 to 22 teams, each with 9 riders, organized by country even though the riders may be from 9 different countries
- Each team has a leader and the other team members, who are known as domestiques, help the leader by shielding him from wind and providing him with food and drink. They ride in front of him, taking turns in the very front depending on conditions. The rider in the front is called the puller.
- This year’s race is 3500 km (2175 miles)
- Average speed is 40 km/hour (25 mph)
- The riders are judged by time
- A rider can win the Tour without winning a single stage
- The riders start together most days
- Some days individual riders or teams race against the clock
- Besides the overall winner, there are subsidiary competitions
- Points – the winner of this gets to wear a green jersey
- Mountains – the winner gets a white jersey with red dots. Riders are given points based on how fast they can get to the summit
- Best young rider – the winner gets a white jersey
- The stage winner, the rider who comes in first, gets a yellow jersey. I think as each day goes on the times get added together to determine who wears the yellow jersey on each day.
- All of the riders in a group finish in the same time as the lead rider. I believe this is done to prevent massive collisions at the finish line.
- A group of riders is called a peloton. Cyclists ride in a group to reduce drag, in the middle of the group riders have up to a 40% reduction in drag
- This year there are 22 teams, and the 198 riders range in age from 22 – 41 and represent 31 different countries
- During the race the riders eat energy bars, gels, sandwiches, and cake, and drink energy drinks and water
- Riders eat 9000 calories a day during the 21 days of riding
- Each rider has 2 staff members, 3 road bikes and 2 time trial bikes
- All of the equipment is carried on a truck. During the race 2 mechanics drive the truck to the next hotel.
- Four mechanics take care of bikes
- 2 team cars follow each team, in a caravan behind the riders. The cars must stay in order.
- Mechanics can change a flat tire in 15 seconds
- Mechanics work on the riders’ bikes while the bike and the car are moving
- There is also a doctor in each team car
- There are designated areas on the course called “feeding zones” and all food must be approved by the race directors
- Riders take urine tests every day to make sure they aren’t doping
This race is probably the most taxing athletic event ever invented. There are no women in the race, but this year six American women are racing the course one day ahead to raise money for a non-profit cycling advocacy group. They have a website and a blog. Amazing!
