What Is the Tour de France? A Beginner’s Guide to the World's Biggest Bike Race

Every July, hundreds of cyclists in colorful jerseys race through the French countryside, climbing mountains, sprinting through villages, and crossing the finish line in Paris to roaring crowds. It’s called the Tour de France , and it’s one of the most iconic sporting events in the world.

But what is it exactly? Who races in it? And why is it such a big deal?

If you’ve never followed the Tour before—or just want to understand what all the fuss is about—this post is for you.

The Tour de France is a professional men’s bicycle race that takes place every July. It spans about three weeks and covers roughly 2,000–2,500 miles (3,200–4,000 km) of French (and sometimes nearby) roads.

It’s not a one-day race—it’s a stage race , meaning it’s broken up into 21 stages (or days of racing) . Each day, riders compete on a different route, and their times are added up to see who’s the fastest overall. There are two rest days scattered throughout the three weeks, and the winner is determined by the total accumulated time across all stages.

Each day brings a different challenge: some stages are flat and fast, others include grueling mountain climbs, and a few are individual time trials. Winning a stage is a huge accomplishment, but the biggest prize is winning the overall race.

Only the best of the best. The Tour features 22 teams , each with 8 riders , made up of elite athletes from around the world. These teams are usually sponsored by major companies and bike brands and include riders from dozens of countries.

There are several types of riders in the Tour, each playing a different role:

• Team Leaders : The main contenders aiming for the overall win (the yellow jersey)

• Domestiques : Teammates who support the leader by pacing, fetching water, and shielding from wind

• Climbers : Specialists in steep mountain stages

• Sprinters : Riders who excel in fast, flat finishes

• Time Trialists : Experts in racing solo against the clock

Teams work together strategically. It’s not just about one rider being the fastest; it’s about how the whole team functions as a unit.

There are multiple competitions happening within the Tour de France, and each has its own special jersey.

🟡 Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune)

This is the most famous jersey in cycling. It’s worn by the rider with the lowest overall time across all stages. Whoever has the yellow jersey on the final day in Paris wins the Tour de France.

🟢 Green Jersey

Awarded to the best sprinter . Riders earn points at stage finishes and intermediate sprints. Flat stages favor sprinters, so this jersey often goes to the fastest finishers.

🔴🔹 Polka-Dot Jersey

Known as the King of the Mountains jersey, it goes to the best climber. Points are awarded to the first riders who reach the top of categorized climbs.

⚪ White Jersey

Given to the best young rider under the age of 26 with the lowest overall time.

🧬 Team Classification

There’s also a competition for the best team , based on the combined time of the top 3 riders on each team every day.

The Tour includes a mix of terrain to test every kind of rider. Here are the types of stages:

➞ Flat Stages

These are the fastest days, often ending in mass sprints. Teams of sprinters battle for position in the final kilometers.

➞ Mountain Stages

The toughest and most iconic parts of the Tour. These stages go up and over massive mountain passes in the Alps and Pyrenees , sometimes gaining thousands of feet in elevation. These stages often decide the overall winner.

➞ Hilly/Rolling Stages

Short climbs, technical descents, and unpredictable finishes make these stages great for breakaways and surprise winners.

➞ Time Trials

Individual riders race against the clock. There are usually one or two time trials in the Tour, and they can make or break a rider’s chance at overall victory.

➞ Iconic Climbs

Some famous climbs, like Alpe d'Huez , Mont Ventoux , and Col du Tourmalet , have become legendary for their steep gradients and epic battles.

The Tour de France is one of the most demanding sporting events on Earth. Here’s why:

• Riders spend 5 to 6 hours a day on the bike

• They climb mountains with gradients as steep as 10% or more

• They ride over 2,000 miles in three weeks

• There are no easy stages

• They deal with wind, heat, rain, crashes, and sheer fatigue

Cyclists burn up to 7,000 calories per day , and recovery is crucial. Teams bring chefs, massage therapists, mechanics, and doctors to keep riders at their best.

Mental strength is just as important as physical ability. A moment of hesitation, a crash, or poor tactics can cost a rider the yellow jersey.

The Tour de France is more than just a bike race. It’s a cultural event deeply embedded in French identity.

• Millions of fans line the roads every year, cheering and waving flags

• Towns decorate streets and host events when the Tour passes through

• French TV broadcasts hours of scenic aerial footage showing off castles, fields, and coastlines

• It boosts tourism and local economies

Globally, the Tour attracts viewers from around the world. Even people who don’t follow cycling the rest of the year tune in for the Tour’s drama, beauty, and tradition.

In the U.S., you can watch the Tour de France live or on-demand via:

• Peacock/NBC Sports

• Eurosport

• GCN+ (Global Cycling Network)

• YouTube highlights from official and fan channels

Commentators often explain what’s happening for newer viewers, making it easy to follow even if you’re unfamiliar with cycling tactics.

Watching a stage live can be mesmerizing: from slow-burning mountain duels to explosive sprint finishes. It’s a perfect mix of endurance, strategy, and spectacle.

• First race : 1903

• Most wins : 5 (by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain)

• Riders : ~176 riders start each year

• Top speeds : Over 60 mph on descents

• Jerseys : Yellow, green, polka-dot, and white

• Spectators : Over 10 million people watch roadside during the race

Aside from the physical pain, riders in the Tour have to manage:

• Nutrition : Eating enough during and after the ride to stay fueled

• Equipment : Ensuring their bikes are finely tuned, tires are correct for the day, and shifting works perfectly

• Weather : Some days it’s 100°F, others it’s freezing rain at the summit

• Team Strategy : Knowing when to attack, when to sit in, and how to protect their leaders

• Crashes : A moment’s mistake can bring down half the peloton (the large group of riders)

Each team has cars full of spare bikes, wheels, radios, and support staff following closely behind.

The Tour has created some of the most memorable moments in sports:

• Greg LeMond winning by just 8 seconds in 1989

• Eddy Merckx , known as "The Cannibal," dominating in the 1970s

• Chris Froome running up Mont Ventoux without a bike

• Tadej Pogačar winning the Tour on the final time trial in 2020

The Tour makes legends—and sometimes villains. It’s full of passion, heartbreak, and triumph.

Even if you’re not a cyclist, the Tour de France is:

• A story of human endurance

• A showcase of teamwork and tactics

• A free travel documentary across the French countryside

• A celebration of sportsmanship and national pride

It’s like a three-week summer movie with suspense, color, scenery, and unforgettable characters.

• Look up the stage schedule to see what kind of day it will be (flat, mountain, time trial)

• Pick a favorite team or rider to cheer for

• Watch the last 30 minutes of each stage for the most excitement

• Learn a few terms like peloton, breakaway, and domestique

Each day tells a new chapter in the story.