Box À Louer Ile De France

Photo Courtesy: Luc Claessen/Velo/Getty Images

Lasting about three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de French republic is one of the biggest sporting events beyond the globe — and in the world of cycling, it's definitely the biggest. This much-predictable almanac race faced some setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the world hasn't returned to normal notwithstanding, devoted cycling fans (and those of u.s.a. who simply love edge-of-our-seats competition) are eager for the large render slated for this summer.

In honor of the Tour de France's thousand 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Sat, June 26, we're taking a look at some fun facts that'll get your anticipation building even more than. Plus, yous'll observe where and how you can lookout every minute of the race from the comfort of abode — no cleats or helmet necessary.

Thousands of People Are Involved

Photograph Courtesy: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images

You might already know that a bevy of bicyclists participate in the race — 198 riders spread across 22 unlike 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 — tin can run into the millions. From city to metropolis along the race route, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the course of the event. And organizers and support staff keep things running smoothly to the terminate line.

Photo Courtesy: Robert Deyrail/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

The first Bout de French republic wasn't held because a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd be a great thought to start a contest — at least not totally. It was actually a promotional event hosted with the intention of bringing more publicity to 50'Auto, a French newspaper that focused on reporting details about dissimilar sporting events. Although L'Auto has since closed down, the parent company of its replacement,Fifty'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de French republic today.

It's Non Just Big, only As well Long

And it's long in multiple ways, too. The race itself takes place over the course of nearly a month, with 21 different day-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the course is also extensive, yet; information technology'southward typically over 2,000 miles long and can pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this short, either — in 1926, the form encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a full month for riders to terminate.

Different Jerseys Mean Dissimilar Things

As you lot watch the race, you'll notice cyclists wearing the bright kits and bibs that represent their teams — merely you'll also spot some fifty-fifty more than unique colors and designs among the pack. 1 of these is a yellowish jersey, called the "maillot jaune," that's bestowed upon the racer who had the lowest cumulative ride fourth dimension for the twenty-four hours. Other special jerseys include the light-green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the nearly points, and the "maillot a pois" — a carmine and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the most points during the areas of the class that have steep inclines to climb. The rider who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known as "the king of the mount."

There Was Well-nigh Only One Tour de French republic

Photo Courtesy: STR/Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

The first Tour de French republic took place in 1903 – and that was almost the one and only iteration of the race. That's because newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial bout, was and then aghast at the conduct not only of the fans but besides of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue information technology despite its articulate entreatment. 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. But the Tour de French republic was so lauded — and it increased apportionment of Fifty'Auto so extensively — that the organizers had no choice but to continue hosting the effect.

The Race Has Its Own Language

Soigneurs prepare to manus out musette bags with meals during phase fifteen of the 2017 Tour de France. Photo Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Bonking, anyone? As you're watching the Tour de French republic, you might hear commentators utilise some curious turns of phrase — and many of them will be unique to the race itself. Boost your bicycling know-how by learning what these terms mean earlier catching one of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't desire to "bonk" during this race; information technology means they've run out of energy and are too wiped to continue.
Peloton: No, information technology's non the fancy exercise cycle you bought during the pandemic. In Tour de France 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 aid of the sag carriage. This is a machine that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who become also drawn or injured to continue riding.
Musket Purse: While information technology may sound similar something you'd find at a Civil War battleground, a musket bag is sort of like a bagged luncheon — just it'south packed with free 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 means "cherry light," and it refers to the cyclist who's in the very terminal identify in the race. Being in this position gets riders ample attention, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

Yous Can Watch the Action at Home — Here's How

Photo Courtesy: Justin Setterfield/Velo/Getty Images

Now that the race has returned to regularly scheduled programming in 2021 following its 2020 pandemic postponement, yous might be eager to catch the three-week racing saga unfold from the comfort of habitation. Fortunately, you have the user-friendly option to stream the tour live on both NBC Sports and NBC's 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're a serious cycling fan who tin't wait to watch this Grand Tour. NBC Sports is accessible if you're already paying for regular cable, but without that subscription you won't be able to stream the program online or watch it on Television receiver unless you lot spring for Peacock.

Keep in mind that, if you lot're not already a Peacock subscriber, you'll receive a complimentary weeklong trial to better help yous determine if the service is right for you. You can use that to catch up on the race and make up one's mind if you want to make the month-long (or longer) investment.