The Tour de France is the most famous cycling race in the world. The first Tour de France took place in 1903 and was won by Frenchman Maurice Garin.

European Cycling Tour

The Tour is held every summer running over a three week period. The race takes place in 'stages', and each stage is run over one day with most stages being held in France. In the past some stages have been held in Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy, Luxemburg, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Times taken by the riders over each stage are accumulated to determine both the individual winner as well as the winning team.

Cycling's Historical Race

Stages of the Tour de France are varied, ranging from flat to undulating to the mountainous stages in the Alps and Pyrenees. There are many famous and arduous mountain sections such as the Col du Tourmalet, Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux and Col du Galibier. Arguably the most famous stage is the traditional flat and cobbled finish to the Tour along the Champs-Élysées. One other famous feature of the Tour de France is the wearing of the 'jerseys'. The 'maillot jaune', or 'yellow jersey', is the most prestigious and is (in most circumstances) worn by the current race leader. Famous winners of the Tour de France have included Lance Armstrong, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, Philippe Thys, Louison Bobet, Greg LaMond and Gino Bartali.