A History of the Greatest Bike Race in the World By: Sarah Smith

But to say that the race is the metaphor for the life is to miss the point. The race is everything. It obliterates whatever isn't racing. Life is the metaphor for the race. -Donald Antrim

The first Tour De France took place in 1903. It was created by a Frenchman named Go Lefvre in an attempt to create buzz for the newly launched L'Auto Magazine.

Today the race is held in July and lasts over three weeks. Each race day is referred to as a stage. There are 21 stages in the Tour De France along with 2 rest days.

The race covers over 2000 miles

There are 20-22 teams invited with each team consisting of 9 members.

The New York Times said the "Tour de France is arguably the most physiologically demanding of athletic events." The effort was compared to "running a marathon several days a week for nearly three weeks", while the total elevation of the climbs was compared to "climbing three Everest's.
-Coyle, Daniel (16 July 2006)

The main race is a timed competition which is referred to a the General Classification. At the end of each stages the time is added up and the person with the lowest overall time wins the race and the coveted yellow jersey. Most stages are ridden in a group with each rider trying to get over the finish line first, but sometimes a stage can be a time trial where a rider races on his own or within his own team against the clock. Each stage of the race is made of different geography which can help or hurt certain riders. The stages will consist of mountains or flats and sometimes a mix of both. The race is mainly ridden in France, but will visit bordering countries for one day stages. The race usually takes a clockwise and counter clockwise direction every other year around the country. It has ended in Paris since 1975 at the Champs-lyses.

Yellow Jersey Awarded to the overall leader with the lowest cumulative time.

Green Jersey Awarded to whom ever has collected the most sprint points during the race. The person who crossed finish line first etc, each day receives most points.

White Jersey Best rider under the age of 25.

Polka Dot Jersey Awarded to the person with most points by reaching key mountain tops first. The higher the mtn peak the more points gained.

Spain

Netherlands

Italy

Stage Wins

Belguim

France
0 200 400 600 800

For more information about the race visit the tours official site at: Tour De France