Tour de France
About
The Tour de France is an iconic annual cycling race that captivates the world with its thrilling competition and rich history. Established in 1903, it spans over three weeks in July, covering approximately 3,500 kilometers across varied terrains throughout France and sometimes neighboring countries. The race comprises 21 stages, including mountain climbs, flat sprints, and individual time trials, testing cyclists' endurance, strength, and tactical prowess. Riders compete both individually and as part of teams, aiming for the coveted yellow jersey, awarded to the overall leader in the general classification. Alongside the yellow jersey, riders also vie for other prestigious titles such as the green jersey for sprinters and the polka dot jersey for the best climber. The Tour de France attracts millions of spectators worldwide and remains a symbol of athleticism, determination, and the spirit of competitive cycling.
History
Origins
The Tour de France originated in 1903 amid competition between French sports newspapers Le Vélo and L'Auto. L'Auto, struggling to outsell its rival, faced a crisis prompting Géo Lefèvre, a young cycling journalist, to propose a groundbreaking six-day race around France. Editor Henri Desgrange was initially skeptical, but with financial backing, they launched the Tour de France on January 19, 1903, shaping it into the iconic cycling event it is today.
The First Tour de France 1903
The inaugural Tour de France in 1903 underwent adjustments from its original plan due to low participation. Henri Desgrange modified it to a 19-day race, offering daily allowances and reducing entry fees to attract more riders. The race, starting from Montgeron, featured 60-80 entrants, including professionals, amateurs, and adventurers. Maurice Garin emerged as the victor, with L'Auto's circulation doubling during the event, surpassing Desgrange's expectations and cementing the race's significance.
1904 to 1939
Henri Desgrange, the creator of the Tour de France, faced challenges with cheating and violence in the early races, leading him to consider ending the event after the 1904 edition. However, the Tour persisted and evolved under Desgrange's leadership, with changes to race format, judging criteria, and equipment regulations. Despite his initial resistance to team-based racing and technological advancements, Desgrange's influence shaped the Tour into the iconic event it is today. He remained involved with the Tour until his death in 1940, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
1947 to 1969
Following the closure of L'Auto in 1944, the government seized rights to the Tour de France. Two rival races emerged until L'Équipe's better-organized event secured the rights for the 1947 Tour. Post-war, the Tour settled on 20-25 stages and introduced the Green Jersey Points competition in 1953. National teams competed until 1961, replaced by trade teams due to concerns over industry support. Doping issues arose, prompting reforms and changes in race format, including alternating between national and trade teams.
1969 to 1987
Eddy Merckx dominated the early 1970s Tour de France, winning the General Classification five times, earning the nickname 'The Cannibal'. In 1975, the polka-dot jersey for the Mountains Classification was introduced, and the finish at the Avenue des Champs-Élysées became a ceremonial stage. Bernard Hinault emerged as a dominant force in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning five times. His rivalry with Greg LeMond, culminating in LeMond's victory in 1986, marked a significant moment in Tour history. Stephen Roche's 1987 win further internationalized the race.
1988 to 1997
The 1988 Tour de France saw a change in leadership, with Jean-François Naquet-Radiguet replaced by Xavier Louy. Subsequent years saw a series of different directors overseeing the race. The late 1980s and early 1990s marked the onset of the doping era, with the emergence of EPO. Pedro Delgado, Greg LeMond, and Miguel Induráin were dominant figures during this period, with Induráin winning five consecutive Tours from 1991 to 1995. The race also witnessed its first Danish and German winners, although some victories were later marred by doping scandals.
1998 to 2011
The 1998 Festina Affair exposed systematic doping in cycling, leading to a tainted Tour won by Marco Pantani. Lance Armstrong's 1999 victory marked a new era, with his subsequent seven wins overshadowed by doping scandals. Floyd Landis's 2006 win was revoked due to doping accusations. Alberto Contador's rise faced controversies, including Michael Rasmussen's expulsion in 2007. Armstrong's doping case, culminating in revoking his wins, unveiled widespread doping in cycling.
Since 2012
Team Sky, later known as Ineos Grenadiers, dominated the Tour de France with wins by Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome (four times), and Geraint Thomas, interrupted only by Vincenzo Nibali's victory in 2014. Tadej Pogačar's consecutive wins in 2020 and 2021 marked historic achievements, with Pogačar also claiming three jerseys in 2020. Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard won the 2022 and 2023 editions, with Pogačar finishing second both times.
The Season of 2024
Background
The 2024 Tour de France will be the 111th edition of the Tour de France. It will start in Florence, Italy on 29 June, and will finish in Nice, France on the 21 July. The race will not finish in (or near) Paris for the first time since its inception, owing to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
22 teams will take part in the race. All 18 UCI WorldTeams were automatically invited. They were joined by 4 UCI ProTeams: the two highest placed UCI ProTeams in 2023 (Lotto–Dstny and Israel–Premier Tech), along with Uno-X Mobility and Team TotalEnergies who were selected by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the organisers of the Tour. The teams were announced on 18 January 2024.
22 teams will take part in the race. All 18 UCI WorldTeams were automatically invited. They were joined by 4 UCI ProTeams: the two highest placed UCI ProTeams in 2023 (Lotto–Dstny and Israel–Premier Tech), along with Uno-X Mobility and Team TotalEnergies who were selected by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the organisers of the Tour. The teams were announced on 18 January 2024.
Entries for 2024 - Tour de France
ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK
CAT UCI WorldTeams
ARKEA-B&B HOTELS
CAT UCI WorldTeams
ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM
CAT UCI WorldTeams
BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS
CAT UCI WorldTeams
BORA - HANSGROHE
CAT UCI WorldTeams
COFIDIS
CAT UCI WorldTeams
DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM
CAT UCI WorldTeams
EF EDUCATION - EASYPOST
CAT UCI WorldTeams
GROUPAMA-FDJ
CAT UCI WorldTeams
INEOS GRENADIERS
CAT UCI WorldTeams
INTERMARCHÉ - WANTY
CAT UCI WorldTeams
LIDL-TREK
CAT UCI WorldTeams
MOVISTAR TEAM
CAT UCI WorldTeams
SOUDAL QUICK-STEP
CAT UCI WorldTeams
TEAM DSM-FIRMENICH POSTNL
CAT UCI WorldTeams
TEAM JAYCO ALULA
CAT UCI WorldTeams
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE
CAT UCI WorldTeams
UAE TEAM EMIRATES
CAT UCI WorldTeams
ISRAEL- PREMIER TECH
CAT UCI ProTeams
LOTTO DSTNY
CAT UCI ProTeams
TOTALENERGIES
CAT UCI ProTeams
UNO-X MOBILITY
CAT UCI ProTeams
The Season of 2023
Background
The 2023 Tour de France was the 110th edition of the Tour de France. It started in Bilbao, Spain, on 1 July and ended with the final stage at Champs-Élysées, Paris, on 23 July.
Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo–Visma) won the general classification for the second year in a row. Two-time champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) finished in second place, with Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) finishing third.
The Tour de France saw a fierce battle between Vingegaard and Pogačar, with Vingegaard ultimately triumphing after dominant performances in the time trial and Alpine stages. His victory marked his second consecutive win, tying him with Pogačar, with a significant margin of 7 minutes 29 seconds.
The points classification was won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) for the first time. The mountains classification was won by Giulio Ciccone (Trek–Segafredo), the first Italian to achieve this feat since 1992. The young rider classification was won by Pogačar for the fourth year in a row, and the team of Team Jumbo–Visma won the team classification. Victor Campenaerts (Lotto–Dstny) was chosen as the most combative rider.
Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo–Visma) won the general classification for the second year in a row. Two-time champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) finished in second place, with Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) finishing third.
The Tour de France saw a fierce battle between Vingegaard and Pogačar, with Vingegaard ultimately triumphing after dominant performances in the time trial and Alpine stages. His victory marked his second consecutive win, tying him with Pogačar, with a significant margin of 7 minutes 29 seconds.
The points classification was won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) for the first time. The mountains classification was won by Giulio Ciccone (Trek–Segafredo), the first Italian to achieve this feat since 1992. The young rider classification was won by Pogačar for the fourth year in a row, and the team of Team Jumbo–Visma won the team classification. Victor Campenaerts (Lotto–Dstny) was chosen as the most combative rider.
2023 - Podium Finish
Individual
JONAS VINGEGAARD #1
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE / NER
TIME 82h 05' 42''
POINTS NA
TADEJ POGAČAR #11
UAE TEAM EMIRATES / UAE
TIME 82h 13' 11''
POINTS NA
ADAM YATES #19
UAE TEAM EMIRATES / UAE
TIME 82h 16' 38''
POINTS NA
Points
JASPER PHILIPSEN #106
ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK / BEL
TIME NA
POINTS 377
M. PEDERSEN #86
LIDL - TREK / USA
TIME NA
POINTS 258
BRYAN COQUARD #122
COFIDIS / FRA
TIME NA
POINTS 203
Climber
GIULIO CICCONE #81
LIDL - TREK / USA
TIME NA
POINTS 106
FELIX GALL #95
AG2R CITROEN TEAM / FRA
TIME NA
POINTS 92
JONAS VINGEGAARD #1
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE / NER
TIME NA
POINTS 89
Youth
TADEJ POGAČAR #11
UAE TEAM EMIRATES / UAE
TIME 82h 13' 11''
POINTS NA
CARLOS RODRIGUEZ CANO #27
INEOS GRENADIERS / GBR
TIME 82h 18' 59''
POINTS NA
FELIX GALL #95
AG2R CITROEN TEAM / FRA
TIME 82h 21' 51''
POINTS NA
Team
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE
TIME 247h 19' 41''
POINTS NA
UAE TEAM EMIRATES
UAE TEAM EMIRATES
TIME 247h 33' 30''
POINTS NA
INEOS GRENADIERS
INEOS GRENADIERS
TIME 247h 47' 19''
POINTS NA
Gallery
