Tour de France 101 – Helpful tips for new Tour fans
- By Ben Delaney
- Published Jun. 13, 2009
- Updated Jul. 23, 2011 at 12:39 PM UTC
Bike racing is quite unlike the mainstream “stick-and-ball” sports that most Americans grew up playing, and can often be confusing, or a even a complete mystery. Even other endurance sports, such as marathon running or triathlon, lack the complexities and tactics of professional road cycling. In those sports, the person that is in the front of the race is usually the one that wins. That’s seldom always the case in cycling. In fact, it’s possible to win the Tour de France without crossing the line first on any of the 21 stages. So to help the first-time (or even second- or third-time) viewer, here are some explanations that might help you appreciate the Tour beyond the stunning scenery.
FILED UNDER: Road / Tour de France TAGS: Tour de France
Ben Delaney
Delaney is the former editor in chief for Velo and VeloNews.com. A journalism graduate of the University of New Mexico, Delaney is responsible for all editorial content online and in the magazine. He's a former (but never very good) Cat. 1 racer. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two children. He can be found on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ben_delaney