Trafic Ile De France En Direct

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Lasting nearly three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de France is ane of the biggest sporting events across the globe — and in the earth of cycling, it'south definitely the biggest. This much-anticipated annual race faced some setbacks during the COVID-xix pandemic, and while the world hasn't returned to normal yet, devoted cycling fans (and those of us who just love edge-of-our-seats competition) are eager for the big return slated for this summer.

In honor of the Tour de France'south m 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Saturday, June 26, nosotros're taking a look at some fun facts that'll get your apprehension building even more. Plus, you lot'll discover where and how you can watch 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 year. Merely the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much higher than the number of athletes participating. Organizers have logistics to the adjacent 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 urban center to city along the race route, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the course of the event. And organizers and back up staff keep things running smoothly to the cease line.

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The first Tour de French republic wasn't held considering a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd be a great thought to beginning a contest — at least non totally. Information technology was actually a promotional result hosted with the intention of bringing more than publicity to L'Automobile, a French newspaper that focused on reporting details about different sporting events. Although L'Auto has since airtight down, the parent company of its replacement,L'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

It'due south Non Just Large, but Also Long

And it'southward long in multiple means, besides. The race itself takes place over the course of nearly a month, with 21 unlike 24-hour interval-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the class is also all-encompassing, nonetheless; information technology's typically over two,000 miles long and tin can pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even e'er this short, either — in 1926, the course encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a full month for riders to stop.

Different Jerseys Mean Unlike Things

Equally you watch the race, you'll observe cyclists wearing the bright kits and bibs that represent their teams — but y'all'll also spot some fifty-fifty more unique colors and designs among the pack. 1 of these is a yellowish jersey, called the "maillot jaune," that'southward bestowed upon the racer who had the lowest cumulative ride time for the twenty-four hours. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the passenger with the almost points, and the "maillot a pois" — a cerise and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the virtually points during the areas of the grade that have steep inclines to climb. The rider who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known as "the rex of the mountain."

In that location Was Almost Merely One Tour de French republic

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The first Bout de France took place in 1903 – and that was almost the one and simply iteration of the race. That's because paper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial tour, was and so aghast at the acquit not simply of the fans merely also of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue it despite its clear appeal. Boisterous crowds turned violent, with spectators assaulting racers as they passed along the course. The riders themselves found numerous ways to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. Only the Bout de France was so lauded — and information technology increased circulation of L'Auto and so extensively — that the organizers had no choice but to continue hosting the upshot.

The Race Has Its Ain Language

Soigneurs set up to manus out musette bags with meals during phase 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, you might hear commentators use some curious turns of phrase — and many of them will be 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 desire to "bonk" during this race; information technology ways they've run out of energy and are too wiped to go on.
Peloton: No, it's not the fancy practice bike you bought during the pandemic. In Tour de France context, a peloton is the chief group of riders where most of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Railroad vehicle: If someone bonks, they may need the aid of the sag wagon. This is a machine that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who become also drawn or injured to go along riding.
Musket Pocketbook: While information technology may sound like something you'd observe at a Ceremonious State of war battlefield, a musket bag is sort of like a bagged tiffin — but it'southward packed with energy gels, water, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It's also called a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk bag."
Lanterne Rouge: In French, this term ways "red light," and it refers to the cyclist who's in the very final place in the race. Being in this position gets riders ample attending, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

You Can Watch the Action at Home — 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 exist eager to catch the three-week racing saga unfold from the comfort of home. Fortunately, yous take the convenient option to stream the tour alive on both NBC Sports and NBC's Peacock streaming service.

The race coverage on Peacock is only bachelor through Peacock Premium, a paid tier of the service that costs $4.99 — a worthwhile investment if you're a serious cycling fan who can't wait to lookout this Grand Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if you're already paying for regular cable, simply without that subscription you lot won't be able to stream the program online or watch it on Television set unless y'all leap for Peacock.

Keep in mind that, if yous're non already a Peacock subscriber, y'all'll receive a gratis weeklong trial to improve help you determine if the service is right for y'all. You can use that to catch upwardly on the race and decide if you want to make the calendar month-long (or longer) investment.