France 3 Region Haut De France

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Lasting nearly three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Bout de France is one of the biggest sporting events across the globe — and in the earth of cycling, information technology'south definitely the biggest. This much-anticipated annual race faced some setbacks during the COVID-nineteen pandemic, and while the globe hasn't returned to normal all the same, devoted cycling fans (and those of u.s. who simply love edge-of-our-seats competition) are eager for the big return slated for this summer.

In honor of the Tour de France'southward yard 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Sat, June 26, nosotros're taking a await at some fun facts that'll go your anticipation building even more than. Plus, y'all'll discover where and how y'all tin lookout man every minute of the race from the condolement 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 different teams compete each year. But the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much higher than the number of athletes participating. Organizers take logistics to the next level with squad 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 metropolis along the race road, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the course of the result. And organizers and support staff proceed 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 be a great idea to kickoff a competition — at least not totally. It was actually a promotional result hosted with the intention of bringing more publicity to Fifty'Automobile, a French paper that focused on reporting details about unlike sporting events. Although L'Car has since closed downwardly, the parent company of its replacement,50'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

It's Not Just Big, but Besides Long

And information technology's long in multiple ways, too. The race itself takes place over the course of nearly a month, with 21 unlike day-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the grade is also extensive, withal; information technology's typically over ii,000 miles long and tin pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this brusk, either — in 1926, the form encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a full month for riders to finish.

Different Jerseys Mean Unlike Things

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Every bit y'all watch the race, yous'll notice cyclists wearing the bright kits and bibs that represent their teams — but yous'll as well spot some even more unique colors and designs among the pack. One of these is a yellow jersey, chosen the "maillot jaune," that's bestowed upon the racer who had the lowest cumulative ride time for the day. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the most points, and the "maillot a pois" — a red and white polka-dotted bailiwick of jersey given to the cyclist who earns the well-nigh points during the areas of the course that have steep inclines to climb. The passenger who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known as "the king of the mountain."

There Was Near Only I Tour de French republic

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The kickoff Tour de French republic took place in 1903 – and that was almost the one and only iteration of the race. That's considering newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial tour, was then aghast at the conduct not only of the fans but also of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue it despite its articulate entreatment. Boisterous crowds turned violent, with spectators assaulting racers equally they passed forth the course. The riders themselves institute numerous ways to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. Merely the Tour de France was so lauded — and information technology increased circulation of L'Car so extensively — that the organizers had no selection but to proceed hosting the event.

The Race Has Its Own Language

Soigneurs gear up to paw out musette bags with meals during stage 15 of the 2017 Bout de France. Photograph Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Bonking, anyone? As you're watching the Bout de France, you might hear commentators use some curious turns of phrase — and many of them will exist unique to the race itself. Heave your bicycling know-how by learning what these terms mean before catching one of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't want to "bonk" during this race; it ways they've run out of energy and are too wiped to keep.
Peloton: No, information technology's not the fancy exercise bicycle you bought during the pandemic. In Tour de French republic context, a peloton is the main group of riders where most of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Carriage: If someone bonks, they may need the assistance of the sag wagon. This is a car that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who go as well fatigued or injured to keep riding.
Musket Bag: While it may sound similar something you'd find at a Civil War battleground, a musket bag is sort of like a bagged dejeuner — but it's packed with energy gels, h2o, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It's also called 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 identify in the race. Existence in this position gets riders aplenty attention, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

Yous Can Watch the Action at Dwelling house — 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 be eager to catch the three-week racing saga unfold from the condolement of home. Fortunately, you take the convenient pick to stream the tour alive on both NBC Sports and NBC'south 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 lot're a serious cycling fan who can't wait to scout this Grand Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if you're already paying for regular cablevision, but without that subscription y'all won't be able to stream the program online or watch it on Tv set unless you bound for Peacock.

Keep in mind that, if yous're not already a Peacock subscriber, you'll receive a free weeklong trial to better assist yous make up one's mind if the service is right for you. You can use that to take hold of up on the race and decide if you want to brand the month-long (or longer) investment.