Fond D Écran Carte De France

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Lasting nigh three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Bout de France is one of the biggest sporting events beyond the world — and in the world of cycling, it's definitely the biggest. This much-anticipated annual race faced some setbacks during the COVID-nineteen pandemic, and while the world hasn't returned to normal even so, devoted cycling fans (and those of us who only love border-of-our-seats competition) are eager for the big return slated for this summer.

In honor of the Tour de France's grand 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Sat, June 26, we're taking a expect at some fun facts that'll get your anticipation building fifty-fifty more. Plus, you'll discover where and how you can sentry every minute of the race from the comfort of domicile — no cleats or helmet necessary.

Thousands of People Are Involved

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You lot might already know that a bevy of bicyclists participate in the race — 198 riders spread across 22 unlike teams compete each year. But the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much college than the number of athletes participating. Organizers have logistics to the side by side level with team staff members, members of the race jury, thousands of security professionals and members of the media. If you lot include the spectators in that count, the numbers — pre-pandemic, at least — can run into the millions. From city to metropolis along the race road, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the activity throughout the course of the consequence. And organizers and support staff keep things running smoothly to the end line.

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The first Tour de France wasn't held because a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd be a great idea to start a contest — at least not totally. Information technology was actually a promotional outcome hosted with the intention of bringing more than publicity to L'Auto, a French paper that focused on reporting details about different sporting events. Although L'Auto has since closed down, the parent company of its replacement,L'Equipe, continues to organize the Bout de France today.

It's Not Just Large, but Also Long

And it'south long in multiple ways, too. The race itself takes place over the course of nearly a month, with 21 different day-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the course is also extensive, however; information technology'due south typically over 2,000 miles long and can laissez passer through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this short, either — in 1926, the form encompassed a winding three,570 miles and took a full calendar month for riders to finish.

Different Jerseys Hateful Unlike Things

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Equally you watch the race, you'll notice cyclists wearing the brilliant kits and bibs that represent their teams — but you lot'll besides spot some even more than unique colors and designs among the pack. One of these is a yellow jersey, called the "maillot jaune," that'southward bestowed upon the racer who had the lowest cumulative ride time for the mean solar day. Other special jerseys include the dark-green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the about points, and the "maillot a pois" — a red and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the most points during the areas of the course that have steep inclines to climb. The passenger who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known equally "the king of the mount."

There Was Almost Only I Tour de France

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The showtime Tour de French republic took place in 1903 – and that was almost the ane and only iteration of the race. That'southward considering newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial tour, was and then aghast at the conduct not just of the fans but too of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue information technology despite its clear appeal. Boisterous crowds turned violent, with spectators assaulting racers as they passed forth the course. The riders themselves institute numerous ways to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. Simply the Tour de France was so lauded — and it increased circulation of L'Auto and then extensively — that the organizers had no selection only to proceed hosting the issue.

The Race Has Its Ain Linguistic communication

Soigneurs gear up to hand out musette bags with meals during stage fifteen of the 2017 Bout de France. Photo Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Bonking, anyone? Every bit you're watching the Tour de France, y'all might hear commentators apply some curious turns of phrase — and many of them will be unique to the race itself. Boost your bicycling know-how by learning what these terms mean before catching one of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't desire to "bonk" during this race; information technology means they've run out of energy and are besides wiped to proceed.
Peloton: No, it's not the fancy exercise cycle yous bought during the pandemic. In Tour de France context, a peloton is the master group of riders where near of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Carriage: If someone bonks, they may need the help of the sag carriage. This is a car that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who go too fatigued or injured to continue riding.
Musket Bag: While it may sound like something you'd find at a Civil War battleground, a musket pocketbook is sort of like a bagged luncheon — but it'southward packed with energy gels, water, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It'due south besides called a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk bag."
Lanterne Rouge: In French, this term means "reddish calorie-free," and information technology refers to the cyclist who's in the very final identify in the race. Being in this position gets riders aplenty attention, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

You Tin Watch the Activeness at Home — Here's How

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Now that the race has returned to regularly scheduled programming in 2021 following its 2020 pandemic postponement, you might exist eager to grab the three-calendar week racing saga unfold from the comfort of dwelling house. Fortunately, you accept the convenient option to stream the bout live on both NBC Sports and NBC's Peacock streaming service.

The race coverage on Peacock is but available through Peacock Premium, a paid tier of the service that costs $4.99 — a worthwhile investment if you're a serious cycling fan who can't await to lookout this Grand Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if yous're already paying for regular cable, but without that subscription you won't be able to stream the program online or watch it on TV unless you leap for Peacock.

Go along in listen that, if you're not already a Peacock subscriber, y'all'll receive a free weeklong trial to better help you determine if the service is right for you. You can utilize that to catch upwards on the race and decide if you want to make the calendar month-long (or longer) investment.