The Tour de France is an annual men's multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, but also occasionally venturing into neighboring countries. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known cycling races in the world, and it typically takes place over three weeks in July.
The race was first held in 1903 and has since become a beloved tradition in France and among cycling enthusiasts worldwide. The route of the Tour de France changes every year, but it always covers a distance of around 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) and consists of 21 stages, including individual time trials, mountain stages, and flat stages.
The winner of the Tour de France is determined by the rider with the lowest cumulative time over the entire race. The overall leader wears a distinctive yellow jersey, or maillot jaune, while other jerseys are awarded to the best sprinter, the best climber, and the best young rider.
The race attracts top cyclists from around the world and is known for its grueling mountain stages, including the iconic climbs of Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, and the Col du Tourmalet. Along with the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, the Tour de France makes up cycling's Grand Tours.
The Tour de France is watched by millions of viewers around the world and is one of the most prestigious and challenging sporting events in existence.
