Note culturelle: le Tour de France

Le Tour de France is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in France, but it often passes through neighboring countries as well. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known cycling events in the world. The race typically lasts around three weeks and covers a distance of over 3,500 kilometers.

Le Tour de France was first organized in 1903 by Henri Desgrange, a French newspaper editor, as a means to boost sales for his newspaper, L’Auto. Over the years, it has evolved into a major sporting event with millions of spectators both along the route and watching on television and many French will organize their summer vacation to get a glimpse of le Tour.

The race is divided into stages, with each stage (une étape) being a day’s race. Some stages are flat, favoring sprinters, while others include mountain climbs, which are decisive for the overall standings. The race includes individual time trials and team time trials as well.

The Tour de France is not only a test of physical endurance but also a showcase of teamwork, strategy, and individual skill. It attracts top cyclists from around the world and captivates audiences with its drama and spectacle.

In the Tour de France, various jerseys are awarded to riders based on their performance in different categories. Here are the main jerseys:

1.  Le Maillot Jaune (the yellow jersey): This is the most prestigious jersey in the Tour de France and is worn by the rider with the lowest overall time in the general classification. The general classification takes into account the total time taken to complete all the stages. The rider who wears the yellow jersey at the end of each stage is the leader of the race.
2. Le Maillot Vert (the green jersey): This jersey is awarded to the leader of the points classification. Points are awarded at intermediate sprints during each stage and at the finish line. Sprinters often compete for this jersey as it rewards consistency and success in the flat stages.
3. Le Maillot à Pois Rouges (the red polka dot jersey): Also known as the King of the Mountains jersey, it is awarded to the rider who has accumulated the most points in the mountains classification. Points are awarded for reaching the summits of categorized climbs, with more points awarded for tougher climbs. This jersey is usually worn by the best climber in the race.
4. Le Maillot Blanc (the white jersey): This jersey is awarded to the best young rider in the general classification. To be eligible, riders must be under a certain age (usually 25) at the start of the year.