The Tour de France
The Tour de France is the world's most prestigious road cycling race, first held in 1903 and covering approximately 2,000 miles across France over three demanding weeks each summer.
Created originally to boost sales of a struggling sports newspaper, this grueling multi-week race has become cycling's most prestigious and demanding annual test of endurance.
Created to Boost Newspaper Sales
The Tour de France was created in 1903 partly as a promotional event to boost circulation for a struggling French sports newspaper, a commercial origin story unusual among major sporting events.
An Grueling Three-Week Race
The modern race covers approximately 2,000 miles across France over three demanding weeks, testing riders' endurance across varied terrain including challenging mountain stages.
The Iconic Yellow Jersey
The race leader wears the distinctive yellow jersey, one of cycling's most recognizable symbols, awarded to whoever holds the lowest cumulative time at each stage.
Cycling's Most Prestigious Race
The Tour de France remains widely regarded as cycling's single most prestigious and closely followed annual competition, drawing massive crowds along its route through the French countryside.
