The Tour de France is the biggest cycling race on Earth, but with 184 riders, four iconic jerseys, and complex team tactics, it can be a lot to take in at first. In this video, we break down the fundamental rules, the different types of stages, and the cutting-edge technology that makes this race a sporting masterpiece. From prize money to the science of drafting, here is everything you need to know to watch the Tour like a seasoned veteran.
Chapters: ⏱️
00:00 – Introduction
00:35 – The Race Format & Stages
01:16 – The Yellow Jersey (General Classification)
02:14 – The Polka Dot, Green & White Jerseys
04:35 – Team Classification & Prize Money
06:25 – The Science of Drafting & Climbing
08:08 – Pro Bikes & Equipment
10:03 – Support Staff & Team Buses
11:11 – The Race Convoy & Caravans
12:56 – Why The Tour Is So Big
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The Tour de France is finally here! 🚴♂️ Which stage are you most excited to watch this year—the high-mountain climbs or the high-speed sprint finishes? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
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30 Comments
The Tour de France is finally here! 🚴♂ Which stage are you most excited to watch this year—the high-mountain climbs or the high-speed sprint finishes? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
Everything you need to know about the Tour de France quicker than you read this, Tadej Pogačar is going to win.
@8:13
Why are van der Poel and Toasty Focaccia both wearing UCI champion rainbow colors on their jerseys?
One prize or award I would also have mentioned is the "Combativity Award" I find this one so special each stage
Super video. Dan is such a great presenter.
The prices are a joke.
GCN – Thanks for providing this overview each year – great job Dan. It's an invaluable review for newbies and those who may not be familiar w the nuisances of this amazing event!!
Savage cut to tadaj when mentioning smaller riders 😂
I loved watching the Tour when I was in high school and early college (maybe 2008-2012) and was super excited to go riding every day after watching. Guys like Cavendish and Hushovd were the coolest athletes in the world to me. After college I fizzled out and had other things to occupy my time. This year I'd like to watch again and these GCN videos have been great, especially a recent one about the actual riders in contention. Thanks for helping us rusty fans get back into the sport!
This video is fantastic and Dan speaks with absolute clarity. Bravo and thank you!
now I'm REALLY confused
Hi Dan, has a team ever missed the start of the stage because they got stuck on the transfer?
Thanks Dan for great pre-race info. One question: Of the approximately 1000 vehicles that follow the race, how many (if any) are battery electric ? With 400 – 500 km range of many EV's currently available, seems like many of the support cars could switch to EVs and be more environmentally kind to the planet. An added benefit would be the reduction of exhaust fumes that the riders inhale.
Hoping this gets on the radar of some popular reaction channels to show our beautiful sport to people who know nothing about it. Most videos trying to explain cycling to laymen like this fall embarrassingly short.
"In case you have not been watching the Tour de France I am going to fill you in. The overall leader is a skinny white guy named Today Focaccia. He’s 26 but looks 14. Any time anyone comes close to matching his speed, he just pedals faster."
All you need to do is watch the following stages: 6, 13,14 and 15 first as I predict we will witness a carnage for the ages in 15 and then the block 18,19,20.
Of course you should watch all the rest as well, these are the rules and you will be excommunicated if you dont, but these above you should watch by all means, yes or yes.
0:10 Who wrote this section? W.H. Auden?! 🤣I hope this is really useful to casual fans or those new to the sport. Brilliantly explained, Dan.
4:19 Personally, I think there are too many different jerseys and feel national champions should not wear different jerseys, but just have their country's flag design on their sleeve; past winners shouldn't have this sleeve design at all.
A great beginners guide Dan. One extra nugget would be to say all team leaders have numbers ending in one, ie 1, 11, 21, 31 etc. Makes picking them out in the peloton a bit easier 🇫🇷✌🏻
3:44 … 26 … ?
Very excited to watch the start in Barcelona this weekend! Anyone have any tips on where to watch from near Montjuic?
Hang on, Hang on one minute. Are you really saying if I purchase the same Colnago setup as Tadej Pogačar, I will not be as fast? That's really burst my bubble..
Sending this to my girlfriend 🙏
Thanks Dan 😊
I can not imagine how hard it must have been to put this short but exhousting description together. I will share it to my friends who still question me, why I obsesively watch cyclist just ride on the road. Once you know the stories this is the best spectator sport. And I feel obligated to add that I am forever happy that I live in the Pogacar era when we witness the best talent ever. Thanks for your incredibly great content.
Brilliant explanation Dan. However, it does sound complicated when you hear it like that. I suppose when you've watched for years you just get used to it.
Young Rider jersey should at a minimum align with the UCIs U23 standard.
Can you do a special section to explain just what the hell Remco Evenepoel is doing dashing around like a headless chicken – and give a warning about his short temper and soundings off🤣
Are all the tires always tubeless? Or do you think there will be double valve technology used in the cobbled stages (such as in Paris-Roubaix)?
I want to see the Tour, I'm planning on standing at the side of the road somewhere it passes by. What are do's and don'ts for this? How do I pick a good spot, when should I arrive? How busy will it be? How do I get the nices merch from the caravan?
Nice intro, very accurate! I remember that as I kid it didn’t look like the peleton was actually racing, as you would ‘expect’ them to do in a race. Only in my late ‘20s after I saw a couple of stages on TV whilst I was in France I started to understand little by little what was going on! Now I absolutely love cycling!!