After watching an intense leg of the Tour de France last night, I found myself both eager to get out on my bike and full of questions.
How do cyclists qualify?
How did it start?
Where are my ladies at..don’t ladies get a chance at biking in amazing scenery?
What do all those different colored jerseys represent?
After lots of research, I would like to share my newfound knowledge with fellow cycling enthusiasts.
- The annual Tour de France covers more than 3,500 km throughout not only France, but neighboring countries as well including Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg.
- This year is the 96th annual Tour de France.
- The Tour de France goes back to 1903 , when two sports publications La Velo and L’Auto were competing for readers. L’Auto wanted to create a race larger than La Velo existing race. The Tour de France was a huge success that doubled the readership of L’Auto.
- The race typically lasts 23 days (over a 3-week period) and cyclists are only allowed one day of rest.
- There’s about 20 stages, with each stage being about 50 to 200 miles long.
- There are 20 teams, with up to 10 riders per team making a total of 200 riders in the race.
- Some team riders clear the way for the team’s best cyclists. The best riding teams have members who specialize in sprinting, climbing hills and speed. As well as logistics support.
- A rider could win 4 to 5 of the daily stages and yet still end up finishing behind the actual winner.
- It’s also possible to win only one stage or no stages and win the race by staying close to the daily leaders day by day.
- The rider with the least elapsed time at the end of each day wears the prestigious yellow jersey.
- The green jersey is awarded to bikers with the best sprint points.
- The white jersey with polka dots is awarded to the king of the hills for the rider with the best hill performance.
- The white jersey is for the best biker under 25 years old.
- In 1984. the Tour Feminin was created for female cyclists to compete. It is only 625 miles and starts with the last two weeks of the men’s tour. Where’s the media coverage for this, ladies?
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
It’s a more intricate sport than perhaps people perceive. Most people think you get on your bikes and ride. The Tour de France coverage has explained that it’s a lot more than that. Hopefully, by the end of the week, people will start to understand it. ~Jeff Sobul
