July 18, 2023 – Tour de France

We’re down to the final few days of the Tour de France! Hundreds of cyclists took off from Paris on July 1, and will complete the 2,200-mile route this weekend. The race was first organized in 1903 by a French newspaper as a way to increase sales. It’s been held every year since, except during World War I and World War II. Nothing like the Tour de France had ever been held before. Organizers mapped out a 1,500 mile loop of the country, starting and ending in Paris. There were only 6 stages, but they were grueling, averaging 250 miles each. Today, the race typically has 20 professional teams of 9 riders each. There are 21 day-long stages over 23 or 24 days. There are time trials, passage through the Pyrenees and the Alps, and a finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. There has always been prize money, starting with 20,000 francs in 1903. Today, 2.3 million euros are awarded to teams and riders, with the overall winner receiving 500,000 euros. The Tour de France is the most prestigious bicycle race in the world, with 12,000 spectators lining the course to watch every year. Another 1 billion people watch on TV, making it the most watched sporting event in the world. Learn more here.