The Tour de France (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced [tuʁ də fʁɑ̃s]) is an annual men's multiple-stage road cycling race held primarily in France.[1] It is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tours, which include the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.
The race was first organized in 1903 to increase sales for the newspaper L'Auto (which was an ancestor of L'Équipe)[2] and has been held annually since, except when it was not held from 1915 to 1918 and 1940 to 1946 due to the two World Wars. As the Tour gained prominence and popularity, the race was lengthened and gained more international participation. The Tour is a UCI World Tour event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly UCI WorldTeams, with the exception of the teams that the organizers invite.[3][4]
Traditionally, the bulk of the race is held in July. While the route changes every year, the format of the race stays the same and includes time trials,[1] passage through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps, and, from 1975 to 2023, a finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.[5][6] The modern editions of the Tour de France consist of 21 day-long stages over a 23- or 24-day period and cover approximately 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi) total.[7] Each year, the race alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise circuits of France.[8]
Twenty to twenty-three teams of eight riders usually compete. All of the stages are timed to the finish, and the riders' times are compounded with their previous stage times.[1] The rider with the lowest cumulative time is the leader of the race and wears the yellow jersey.[1][9] While the general classification attracts the most attention, there are other contests held within the Tour: the points classification for the sprinters (green jersey), the mountains classification for the climbers (polka-dot jersey), young rider classification for riders under the age of 26 (white jersey), and the team classification, based on the first three finishers from each team on each stage.[1] Achieving a stage win also provides prestige, often accomplished by a team's sprint specialist or a rider taking part in a breakaway.
A similar race for women was held under various names between 1984 and 2009. Following criticism by campaigners and the professional women's
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_France
- Official site not on record
