For most cycling enthusiasts the Tour de France is the most important cycling event of the year.
In three weeks almost 200 riders cycle almost 3,500 kilomters through France.
The overall winner is the one that completes the 21 stages in the shortest amount of time.
It sounds quite simple doesn't it? But there is more than only the overall victory.
Watching a stage can be a bit confusing for beginners as you have to understand more of the tactics.
To begin with there are multiple teams which all have one, sometimes more riders for the overall ranking. The rest of the team is actually helping their best rider to win the Tour.
But this is not all. Riders also want to win stages. There are flat stages for the sprinters and stages with a lot of climbs. There are seperate rankings for climbing and sprinting with their own colored jerseys.
It can be quite confusing, but if you know the ins and outs of the Tour de France it is even more interesting to watch!
One of my favorite Youtube Channels (Global Cycling Network) made a very nice beginners guide for the Tour de France where they explain the Tour de France in a simplified way.
I hope this blog helped you to understand the Tour de France a bit more.
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