Maillot Bora Hansgrohe Tour De France 2019

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Lasting nearly three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de French republic is one of the biggest sporting events across the globe — and in the world of cycling, it's definitely the biggest. This much-anticipated annual race faced some setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the earth hasn't returned to normal notwithstanding, devoted cycling fans (and those of us who just love edge-of-our-seats contest) are eager for the big return slated for this summertime.

In honor of the Tour de France's grand 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Saturday, June 26, nosotros're taking a look at some fun facts that'll get your anticipation 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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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 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 to the lowest degree — can run into the millions. From metropolis to city along the race route, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the action throughout the form of the outcome. And organizers and support staff keep things running smoothly to the finish line.

The Race Has a Surprising Connection to a Paper

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The kickoff Tour de French republic wasn't held because a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd be a dandy idea to outset a competition — at least not totally. Information technology was actually a promotional event hosted with the intention of bringing more publicity to L'Car, a French newspaper that focused on reporting details about different sporting events. Although L'Auto has since closed down, the parent company of its replacement,Fifty'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

It's Not Simply Big, just Also Long

And it's long in multiple ways, too. The race itself takes place over the course of nearly a month, with 21 different twenty-four hour period-long segments making up the bulk of the competition. The length of the grade is also extensive, nonetheless; it's typically over 2,000 miles long and can pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't fifty-fifty always this short, either — in 1926, the course encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a total month for riders to finish.

Different Jerseys Hateful Different Things

Equally y'all watch the race, you'll find cyclists wearing the brilliant kits and bibs that represent their teams — but yous'll also spot some fifty-fifty more unique colors and designs among the pack. 1 of these is a yellow jersey, called the "maillot jaune," that's bestowed upon the racer who had the everyman cumulative ride fourth dimension for the 24-hour interval. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the well-nigh points, and the "maillot a pois" — a ruby and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the near 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 king of the mountain."

There Was Almost Merely 1 Tour de French republic

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The first Tour de France took place in 1903 – and that was almost the one and only iteration of the race. That'southward considering newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial bout, was so aghast at the behave non only of the fans simply as well of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue it despite its clear appeal. Boisterous crowds turned trigger-happy, with spectators assaulting racers as they passed along the course. The riders themselves found numerous means to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the process. But the Tour de France was so lauded — and it increased circulation of L'Car so extensively — that the organizers had no selection simply to continue hosting the outcome.

The Race Has Its Own Language

Soigneurs fix to hand out musette bags with meals during stage 15 of the 2017 Tour de France. Photo Courtesy: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Bonking, anyone? As yous'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. Boost your bicycling know-how by learning what these terms hateful earlier catching one of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't want to "bonk" during this race; it ways they've run out of energy and are too wiped to go along.
Peloton: No, it'due south not the fancy practise bicycle you bought during the pandemic. In Bout de France context, a peloton is the master group of riders where nigh of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Carriage: If someone bonks, they may demand the assistance of the sag wagon. This is a car that follows the pack of cyclists and picks upward those who become besides drawn or injured to go along riding.
Musket Handbag: While it may sound similar something you'd find at a Ceremonious War battlefield, a musket bag is sort of like a bagged lunch — just it's packed with free energy gels, water, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It's too called a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk handbag."
Lanterne Rouge: In French this term ways "cherry-red light," and information technology refers to the cyclist who's in the very final place in the race. Being in this position gets riders ample attention, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this stardom instead.

You lot Tin can Watch the Action at Dwelling house — Here'due south 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 iii-calendar week racing saga unfold from the condolement of dwelling house. Fortunately, you have the convenient option to stream the tour alive on both NBC Sports and NBC'south Peacock streaming service.

The race coverage on Peacock is simply 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 await to picket this Grand Bout. NBC Sports is attainable if y'all're already paying for regular cable, but without that subscription you won't be able to stream the program online or watch it on TV unless you spring for Peacock.

Keep in listen that, if you're non already a Peacock subscriber, y'all'll receive a free weeklong trial to better help you lot determine if the service is right for you lot. Yous can use that to catch up on the race and decide if you want to make the monthlong (or longer) investment.