Playstation Network Numero De Telephone France

Photo Courtesy: Luc Claessen/Velo/Getty Images

Lasting nigh three weeks and involving several hundred competitors, the Tour de France is i of the biggest sporting events across the earth — and in the world of cycling, information technology'south 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 yet, devoted cycling fans (and those of us 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 grand 2021 re-entry to the sporting universe on Saturday, June 26, we're taking a look at some fun facts that'll become your anticipation edifice even more than. Plus, you'll observe where and how yous can watch every infinitesimal of the race from the comfort of home — 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 different teams compete each year. Just the number of people involved in ensuring the race goes off without a hitch is much college than the number of athletes participating. Organizers accept logistics to the next level with team staff members, members of the race jury, thousands of security professionals and members of the media. If you lot include the spectators in that count, the numbers — pre-pandemic, at to the lowest degree — can run into the millions. From city to city along the race road, hundreds upon hundreds of people follow the activity throughout the course of the event. And organizers and support staff go on things running smoothly to the terminate line.

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

The first Tour de France wasn't held because a bunch of bicycling fans got together and thought it'd exist a great idea to start a competition — at least non totally. It was actually a promotional result hosted with the intention of bringing more than publicity to 50'Auto, 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,50'Equipe, continues to organize the Tour de France today.

Information technology'south Not Just Big, but Too Long

And it's long in multiple ways, besides. The race itself takes place over the grade of near a month, with 21 different day-long segments making up the bulk of the contest. The length of the course is also extensive, however; it's typically over 2,000 miles long and tin can pass through multiple neighboring countries. It wasn't even always this curt, either — in 1926, the class encompassed a winding 3,570 miles and took a total month for riders to end.

Different Jerseys Mean Different Things

As y'all watch the race, yous'll detect cyclists wearing the bright kits and bibs that represent their teams — merely you'll likewise spot some even more unique colors and designs among the pack. One of these is a yellowish jersey, chosen the "maillot jaune," that'south bestowed upon the racer who had the everyman cumulative ride time for the day. Other special jerseys include the green "maillot vert," which is awarded to the rider with the almost points, and the "maillot a pois" — a cherry-red and white polka-dotted jersey given to the cyclist who earns the most points during the areas of the course that have steep inclines to climb. The rider who wears the maillot a pois is affectionately known as "the king of the mountain."

In that location Was Almost Only Ane Tour de French republic

Photo Courtesy: STR/Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

The first Tour de France took place in 1903 – and that was well-nigh the one and only iteration of the race. That's because newspaper editor Henri Desgrange, who helped organize the initial tour, was then aghast at the acquit not but of the fans but as well of the competitors in the 1903 race that he wanted to discontinue information technology despite its clear appeal. Boisterous crowds turned trigger-happy, with spectators assaulting racers every bit they passed along the course. The riders themselves found numerous ways to cheat, disqualifying themselves in the procedure. But the Bout de France was so lauded — and it increased circulation of L'Automobile so extensively — that the organizers had no choice merely to continue hosting the event.

The Race Has Its Own Language

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

Bonking, anyone? As you're watching the Bout de France, you might hear commentators employ 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 before communicable ane of the race segments:

Bonking: Cyclists don't want to "bonk" during this race; it means they've run out of free energy and are too wiped to go on.
Peloton: No, information technology's not the fancy practice bike you lot bought during the pandemic. In Tour de France context, a peloton is the chief group of riders where most of the participants are cycling together.
Sag Carriage: If someone bonks, they may demand the assistance of the sag wagon. This is a auto that follows the pack of cyclists and picks up those who become too fatigued or injured to proceed riding.
Musket Pocketbook: While it may sound similar something y'all'd observe at a Ceremonious War battlefield, a musket bag is sort of like a bagged dejeuner — but information technology's packed with energy gels, h2o, sandwiches and other fuel for the cyclists. It's also chosen a "musette" or, sometimes, a "bonk handbag."
Lanterne Rouge: In French, this term means "scarlet light," and information technology refers to the cyclist who's in the very final place in the race. Existence in this position gets riders aplenty attending, and those who know they won't win sometimes compete for this distinction instead.

Y'all Can Picket the Action at Home — Here'due south How

Photograph Courtesy: Justin Setterfield/Velo/Getty Images

At present that the race has returned to regularly scheduled programming in 2021 following its 2020 pandemic postponement, you might be eager to catch the iii-week racing saga unfold from the comfort of abode. Fortunately, you accept the user-friendly pick to stream the bout 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 can't wait to spotter this Thousand 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 information technology on TV unless you spring for Peacock.

Keep in listen that, if you're not already a Peacock subscriber, you'll receive a gratuitous weeklong trial to better assistance you determine if the service is right for y'all. Yous can use that to take hold of up on the race and decide if you want to make the month-long (or longer) investment.