Voiture Libre Service Ile De France

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Lasting nearly three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de French republic is one of the biggest sporting events beyond the globe — and in the world of cycling, it's definitely the biggest. This much-anticipated annual race faced some setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the world hasn't returned to normal yet, devoted cycling fans (and those of us who simply love border-of-our-seats competition) are eager for the big return slated for this summer.

In award of the Bout de France's yard 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Saturday, June 26, we're taking a look at some fun facts that'll get your anticipation building fifty-fifty more. Plus, you'll discover where and how you can lookout man every minute of the race from the comfort of home — no cleats or helmet necessary.

Thousands of People Are Involved

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You might already know that a bevy of bicyclists participate in the race — 198 riders spread across 22 dissimilar teams compete each year. Only the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much higher than the number of athletes participating. Organizers have logistics to the next level with squad staff members, members of the race jury, thousands of security professionals and members of the media. If y'all include the spectators in that count, the numbers — pre-pandemic, at to the lowest degree — tin run into the millions. From urban center to city forth the race road, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the grade of the event. And organizers and support staff keep things running smoothly to the finish line.

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The first Tour de France wasn't held considering a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought information technology'd exist a great idea to start a competition — at least not totally. It was actually a promotional outcome hosted with the intention of bringing more publicity to L'Auto, a French newspaper that focused on reporting details virtually dissimilar sporting events. Although Fifty'Motorcar has since closed down, the parent company of its replacement,L'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

It'due south Non Merely Large, but Likewise Long

And it's long in multiple ways, too. The race itself takes place over the form of nigh a month, with 21 different day-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the course is besides extensive, still; it'due south typically over 2,000 miles long and tin pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this brusk, either — in 1926, the course encompassed a winding three,570 miles and took a total month for riders to terminate.

Different Jerseys Hateful Different Things

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As you watch the race, you'll observe cyclists wearing the brilliant kits and bibs that represent their teams — but yous'll also spot some even more 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 24-hour interval. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the most points, and the "maillot a pois" — a reddish and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the most points during the areas of the course that take steep inclines to climb. The rider who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known equally "the king of the mountain."

There Was Almost But Ane Tour de French republic

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The first Tour de France took identify in 1903 – and that was almost the ane and only iteration of the race. That's because newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial bout, was and so aghast at the acquit not only of the fans merely likewise 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 every bit they passed along the grade. The riders themselves found numerous means to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. Only the Tour de France was so lauded — and information technology increased circulation of 50'Machine and so extensively — that the organizers had no option but to go along hosting the upshot.

The Race Has Its Ain Language

Soigneurs fix to hand out musette bags with meals during stage xv of the 2017 Tour de France. Photo Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Bonking, anyone? Every bit y'all're watching the Tour de France, yous 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 communicable one of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't desire to "bonk" during this race; information technology means they've run out of free energy and are too wiped to go along.
Peloton: No, information technology's non the fancy exercise bike you bought during the pandemic. In Bout de France context, a peloton is the primary grouping of riders where most of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Wagon: If someone bonks, they may need the assistance of the sag wagon. This is a auto that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who become too fatigued or injured to proceed riding.
Musket Purse: While it may audio like something you'd find at a Civil War battleground, a musket handbag is sort of like a bagged luncheon — but information technology's packed with energy gels, water, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. Information technology's also chosen a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk bag."
Lanterne Rouge: In French, this term means "red light," and it refers to the cyclist who's in the very last place in the race. Beingness in this position gets riders ample attending, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this stardom instead.

You Tin Sentry the Action 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 catch the three-week racing saga unfold from the comfort of home. Fortunately, you have the convenient option to stream the tour alive on both NBC Sports and NBC's Peacock streaming service.

The race coverage on Peacock is only 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 wait to watch this Grand Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if you're already paying for regular cable, merely without that subscription you lot won't be able to stream the program online or picket it on TV unless you spring for Peacock.

Proceed in mind that, if y'all're non already a Peacock subscriber, you'll receive a free weeklong trial to meliorate help you decide if the service is right for y'all. You tin employ that to catch up on the race and decide if you want to brand the month-long (or longer) investment.