The earliest documented record of cycling as a sport dates back 156 years. On 31st May 1868, an Englishman, James Moore, won a 1,200m race at the Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris, riding a wooden bicycle with solid rubber tyres.
Cycling has also been a part of the Summer Olympics since the 1896 Games (the birth of the modern Olympics). However, the biggest cycling sport event is the Tour de France, which is also the second most-watched sports event after the FIFA World Cup.
What is the Tour de France?
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It is the world’s most prestigious cycling race, typically held in July, where the world’s best riders compete in a 3,500 kilometer long, grueling 23-day challenge. Occasionally, Tour de France starts outside France and also goes through neighboring countries like Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
The 111th edition of the race started in Florence, Italy, on 29 June 2024.
The 2025 Tour de France will start in Lille, France, on July 5 and end in Paris on July 27. So far, the event has always concluded in France.
How Many Stages in Tour de France
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This prestigious race has 21 stages held over 23 days, including 2 rest days. The stages are divided into the following:
1. Flat Stages
These segments of the race with minimal elevation changes are dominated by sprinters. The performance of a team’s sprinters can influence the team’s overall results.
2. Hilly Stages
Featuring a mix of short climbs, descents and rolling terrain, these stages are more challenging than flat stages and less challenging than mountain stages. Hilly stages are ideal for puncheurs (racers who excel on short, steep climbs) and breakaway specialists. These stages often make the race a little unpredictable and shake up the race standings.
3. Mountain Stages
These gruelling and decisive segments of the event feature long, steep climbs. Mountain stages test the climbing ability and endurance of riders. Ascents like Col du Tourmalet, Mount Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez test the physical and mental limits of riders. Climbers (Grimpeurs), GC Contenders, Breakaway Specialists and Polka Dot Jersey (KOM Contenders) excel in mountain stages.
Individual Time Trials
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Individual time trials test speed, and endurance of each rider racing alone against the clock. Riders try to cover a set distance (typically ranging from 15 to 50 km) in the shortest time. The rider is on his own. Time trial specialists, GC (General Classification) contenders and endurance riders excel in individual time trials.
How Many Riders in the Tour de France?
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There are 22 teams in the Tour de France. Each team consists of 8 riders. So, the race begins with 176 riders. However, some riders drop out due to injuries or fatigue. The teams include:
- 18 UCI WorldTeams
These top-tier professional cycling teams automatically qualify.
- 4 UCI ProTeams
The race organizers rely on various criteria to select these wildcard entries.
Each team consists of the following types of riders:
- GC (General Classification) Riders
A Tour de France General Classification (GC) rider aims to finish all the stages with the lowest accumulated time. Such a rider must excel in mountain stages, flat stages and time trials. The rider’s time across all stages determines the GC (General Classification) ranking. The top-ranked rider wins maillot jaune, the yellow jersey.
- Sprinters
A sprinter specializes in fast finishes during the flat stages. Sprinters are powerful, explosive riders who focus on speed rather than endurance. They rely on their team’s support to be in the final moments of the race. They can reach the speed of 70 km/h in the last 200-300 meters. Due to the lack of ability to climb, they don’t challenge for the overall General Classification (GC) title. They aim to win Points Classification (green jersey).
- Climbers
Climbers specialize in the high-altitude stages of the race in the Alps and Pyrenees. They excel in ascending steep mountain roads with their endurance, acceleration and pacing strategy. While most climbers aim for the Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains Classification) award, some strong climbers also challenge for the General Classification (GC) title.
- Domestiques
Domestique is a French word that means servant. A domestique supports his team. But how? Domestiques help their team leaders conserve energy by shielding their team leaders from wind resistance. Domestiques fetch supplies, chase down breakaways, or slow down attacks from rivals.
- Time Trialists
A time trialist relies on power output, aerodynamic efficiency and pacing to race against the clock. Time Trialists aim to gain significant time advantages over their rivals by excelling in short, intense efforts on flat or rolling terrain. They don’t challenge for the overall classification but aim to win individual stages.
Winning the Tour de France
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The rider who completes all 21 stages in the fastest time is the winner of the Tour de France. Every second from start to finish in each stage contributes to the General Classification (GC) of the race. Yellow Jersey, the biggest prize in the race, belongs to the current leader. However, riders also get multiple secondary prizes.
1. The Green Jersey
The leader of the Points Classification wins the Green Jersey. Riders earn points based on their performance in stage finishes and intermediate sprints. Typically, sprinters win the Green Jersey.
2. The Polka-Dot Jersey
The Polka-Dot “King of the Mountains” Jersey goes to the rider with the most points on classified climbs. Points are awarded based on the difficulty of the climb.
3. White Jersey
The top rider under the age of 26 wins the White Jersey, Best Young Rider Classification.
4. Red Number
The most aggressive rider wins Red Number, also known as the Combativity Award.
Tour de France 2025
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The 112th edition of Tour de France returns with an all-French route. Here are the key details:
| Start Date | July 5th, 2025 |
| Finish Date | July 27th, 2025 |
| Tour de France Grand Départ | Lille (Loop around Lille) |
| Start Location | Lille, France |
| Finish Location | Paris, France (Champs-Élysées) |
| Number of Stages | 21 |
| Stage Types | 7 flat stages, 6 hilly stages, 6 mountain stage and 2 rest days |
| Key Climbs | Col de la Loze (highest point), Hautacam, Luchon-Superbagnères, Mont Ventoux, Courchevel, La Plagne |
| Total Distance | 3,320 km (2,060 miles) |
| Highest Point | Col de la Loze (2,304m) |
| Time Trials | 2 (including a 33km stage around Caen) |
| Top Contenders | Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel |
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