Comment Font Pipi Les Coureurs Du Tour De France

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Lasting nearly three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de France is i of the biggest sporting events across the globe — and in the world of cycling, it's definitely the biggest. This much-predictable 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 contest) 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 Saturday, June 26, nosotros're taking a look at some fun facts that'll get your anticipation building even more. Plus, you'll discover where and how yous can sentinel every minute of the race from the comfort of home — no cleats or helmet necessary.

Thousands of People Are Involved

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Yous might already know that a bevy of bicyclists participate in the race — 198 riders spread across 22 different teams compete each twelvemonth. Simply the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much higher than the number of athletes participating. Organizers accept logistics to the next level with team staff members, members of the race jury, thousands of security professionals and members of the media. If you include the spectators in that count, the numbers — pre-pandemic, at least — can run into the millions. From city to city forth the race route, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the course of the event. And organizers and support staff keep things running smoothly to the stop line.

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The start Tour de French republic wasn't held because a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd be a great idea to start a competition — at least not totally. It was actually a promotional event hosted with the intention of bringing more publicity to L'Automobile, a French newspaper that focused on reporting details about different sporting events. Although L'Motorcar has since closed down, the parent visitor of its replacement,L'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

It'south Not Just Big, but Also Long

And it's long in multiple means, too. The race itself takes place over the grade of nearly a month, with 21 different twenty-four hours-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the grade is also all-encompassing, however; it's typically over 2,000 miles long and tin can pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this brusk, either — in 1926, the course encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a full month for riders to finish.

Different Jerseys Mean Unlike Things

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As you spotter the race, yous'll discover cyclists wearing the bright kits and bibs that represent their teams — but you'll also spot some fifty-fifty more unique colors and designs amongst the pack. One of these is a yellow jersey, called the "maillot jaune," that'south bestowed upon the racer who had the lowest cumulative ride time for the mean solar day. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the virtually points, and the "maillot a pois" — a blood-red and white polka-dotted bailiwick of jersey given to the cyclist who earns the most points during the areas of the course that accept steep inclines to climb. The passenger who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known equally "the king of the mountain."

There Was Near Only Ane Tour de France

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The first Bout de France took place in 1903 – and that was almost the i and only iteration of the race. That's considering newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial bout, was then balked at the bear not only of the fans but too of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue it despite its articulate appeal. Bouncy crowds turned tearing, with spectators assaulting racers as they passed along the class. The riders themselves constitute numerous ways to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. Simply the Tour de France was so lauded — and it increased circulation of L'Car then extensively — that the organizers had no choice but to continue hosting the event.

The Race Has Its Own Linguistic communication

Soigneurs set to mitt out musette bags with meals during stage 15 of the 2017 Tour de France. Photograph Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

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

Bonking: Cyclists don't want to "bonk" during this race; information technology means they've run out of energy and are likewise wiped to go along.
Peloton: No, it'due south not the fancy exercise bike you bought during the pandemic. In Tour de France context, a peloton is the main grouping of riders where most of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Wagon: If someone bonks, they may demand the assistance of the sag railroad vehicle. This is a auto that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who become as well drawn or injured to keep riding.
Musket Purse: While it may audio like something y'all'd discover at a Civil War battleground, a musket purse is sort of like a bagged lunch — but information technology's packed with energy gels, water, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It's likewise called a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk purse."
Lanterne Rouge: In French, this term means "ruby calorie-free," and it refers to the cyclist who's in the very final place in the race. Being in this position gets riders ample attention, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

You Can Lookout man the Action at Home — Hither'southward How

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Now that the race has returned to regularly scheduled programming in 2021 following its 2020 pandemic postponement, you might be eager to grab the iii-week racing saga unfold from the comfort of home. Fortunately, you lot take the convenient option to stream the tour live 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 yous're a serious cycling fan who can't wait to watch this G Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if yous're already paying for regular cable, but without that subscription you won't exist able to stream the plan online or scout it on TV unless yous spring for Peacock.

Keep in mind that, if you're non already a Peacock subscriber, you'll receive a free weeklong trial to better assist you determine if the service is correct for y'all. You can apply that to catch up on the race and decide if you want to brand the calendar month-long (or longer) investment.