The Tour de France Explained | Everything You Need To Know About The Biggest Bike Race In The World

The Tour de France is, quite simply, the biggest bike race in the world. Spread across 3 weeks every summer, Le Tour sees the fastest professional cyclists in the world race around France in a bid to take home the most iconic prize in cycling: the Yellow Jersey. With a different winner every day, and 4 different leaders jerseys changing hands throughout the race, it can be confusing to know what’s going on. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our beginners guide to the Tour de France. Whether you’re new to watching bike racing, or just need a bit of a refresher, this is the video for you!
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gcn]

What's your favourite thing about the Tour de France? Will this be the first time you've watched the race? Let us know in the comments below!

[@TARUNPOPSTAR]

First reply

[@reubennaude9171]

What is a pelaton

[@DarenC]

My favourite thing about the Tour is that it's _the Tour_ ! I first watched it in 1983 or so when Channel 4 in the UK started showing highlights, and I've never missed a year yet. So many memorable moments. Abdou's horrible crash on the Champs Elysees, Roche coming round the corner on La Plagne, LeMond's TT to win against Fignon, Thierry Marie's saddle spoiler... Man, I could fill this box with hundreds of memories. I love this race!

[@gcn]

@@DarenC That's what it's all about! So many great moments every year - we can't wait!

[@sebastianalfredohernandezs2611]

It's going to be my first time, this video couldn't have had a better timing.

[@pegitamg9716]

This race has had a huge impact on my marriage. My husband loves to ride and watched every episode religiously. Each day there were 3 or more hours of tape to watch and he did! It's hard to be in the middle of this situation and realize you share your husband with 200 people ( the number of riders usually) so I started listening while he watched. It was really hard to catch on to but I stuck with it and was able to enjoy it literally right next to him. Then I started to pick up on the language and manuveres and could understand why certain moves were so important to the understanding of the whole race. I can now 37 years later discuss it with him and share my insights. This race was the "other woman" in my marriage!

[@PipeScholar]

This is delightful, thank you for sharing Pegita!

[@tongobong1]

So who do you think will win Tour de France this year?

[@CheAdlawan]

I like this guy who is ALL about TDF haha and I'm trying my best to learn the sport cos I do feel like the race is really important to him. I wanna be able to talk about it with him and be able to "enter" his world :)

[@ftbix]

who?

[@metaldigger]

Your man is lucky 🙂

[@manuel7102]

Why am I watching this after having followed 25 consecutive years of pro cycling

[@gcn]

Nothing wrong with refreshing your memory! It's been a while since any of us watched the Tour de France!

[@abdoullahmitiche8405]

Exactly! 😅

[@SisterBaby]

To see if it is explained any better than the previous year!

[@daisybluegroff]

Because GCN are amazing presenters.

[@JohnFoxBass]

@@daisybluegroff But his French pronunciation is KILLING ME.

[@888johnmac]

simply explained with minimal jargon .. perfect for newbies .. nicely done

[@gcn]

Thanks very much - exactly what we were going for. Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@ZEWilloughby]

As a newcomer to the sport, this is why I love GCN so much

[@hond4h34d]

also well structured and organized

[@dorindas7330]

Agree 100%! Great video!

[@Fa0404B]

"How to get your friends into cycling?" - Just let Jeremy talk to them for 2 minutes and they will see it's the key to happiness :D

[@gcn]

There's definitely a connection!

[@veegtec]

@@gcn I could listen to Jeremy explain anything. It could be how paint dries on a wall and I would find it super interesting.

[@denverkruger237]

I tought it was linked to the number of bikes you own?

[@jbruner182]

haha! Its pretty much true... Jeremy you rock man, keep up the good work. Everyone at GCN, Great job team!!

[@eilrach299]

Said it before and will say it again, Jeremy's enthusiasm for the sport is just so addictive! Love watching him.

[@tungruffel]

This guy always looks so happy and it makes me happy! Can we keep him?

[@gcn]

Jeremy's not going anywhere, don't worry!

[@markush7001]

@@gcn I want to see JPow take on someone from GMBN! Go for the jugular.

[@yaacov9008]

@@gcn This aged well 🙃

[@kiranvputhettu4799]

This guy should have been my tutor in school 😂

[@gcn]

If only they taught bike racing in schools!

[@reesestar7079]

I finally understand what’s going on in the Tour , Looking forward to watching it on the GCN app. Best explanation ever, thanks so much from a very new bike rider in Australia.👌

[@kennethdayman3386]

Great video! Would love to see a video for intermediate race watchers. How do team strategies work? Working for different riders, how do the domestiques become successful, what are different sorts of tactics to look out for, what more is there to racing than pedal hard eyeballs out the whole time?

[@piotrgowacki6665]

Lanterne Rouge does race analysis on his channel, you can check him out, he really knows his stuff!

[@redbeardsbirds3747]

I basically went from knowing almost nothing about the Tour de France to being totally "hooked" on watching this great BIG TEST of stamina and teamwork...it takes more than just riding...it's also about strategy and helping your team finish as winners. Thank so much for this nice introductory video!

[@johannesglintborg-mikkelse4186]

“No one can win the tour on their own” Pogacar: Laughs in Slovenian

[@gcn]

Haha - that was an exceptional performance wasn't it

[@deficharliegosseTK]

@@gcn I was thinking if there was a hybrid sprinter/climber this had to have happened there must've been a rider with enough HP in their legs and pump in their arms/back to have been god at both

[@razaninaufal]

@@deficharliegosseTK that's puncheur, the likes of julian alaphillipe, mvdp, wva, etc. Usually great at classics but at times can be a gc rider too. The downside is that since you need a lot of power to sprint, they usually weigh more than the great climbers, making them lost a lot of time on big mountains.

[@DilbertMuc]

@@gcn Exceptional? Happened this time in 2021 again, over and over again.

[@MegaNastyHabits]

I've been watching every televised minute of the Tour since 1989. My favorite thing about the tour are the battles on the mountain stages. Although I first was made aware of the the Tour when I read a book by Stirling Moss. There used to be a Tour de France for sports cars. In the book Sir Stirling said that one year, the car race was paused so the bike race could pass by uninterrupted.

[@gcn]

Full commitment! This years edition has a lot to live up to!

[@christellelemaire9749]

Je prends arkena ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@neilaquino5294]

I'm a sprinter by heart but that polka dot jersey is my favorite jersey. 🥰

[@gcn]

It's so iconic, isn't it!

[@neilaquino5294]

@@gcn and to think it came from a Chocolate Sponsor makes it more sweeter 🤩

[@stevecheng2142]

"Team work makes the dream work". Great quote.

[@juliewerner9592]

I finally understand what’s going on in the Tour , Looking forward to watching it on the GCN app. Best explanation ever, thanks so much from a very new bike rider in Australia.👌

[@gcn]

Great to hear you found the video useful, Julie! Enjoy Le Tour! If you have any feedback on Race Pass, we'd love to hear it!

[@franckr6159]

Indeed a very good introduction video. However if you really want to "understand what’s going on in the Tour" I would recommend you read a specialized daily newspaper. In France there is "L'Equipe" (which replaced L'Auto, the newspaper that created the TdF), it provides daily several pages analysing the previous stage and explaining what should be each team tactics during the coming day. Really a must read if you are a fan and/or what to understand the race during the coming day (and if you read French btw....). Also viewing the TdF on a TV channel commented by a competent cycling specialist is very welcome. This is not that simple to understand cycling tactics. Also, btw, I suppose GCN might be doing it daily on KZbin (or elsewhere?) but I don't know yet this web channel (sorry).

[@Lulikmaid]

Great video! But it took all the fun out of asking my husband random questions while he watches the tour 😂

[@pernels.thyseldew2157]

I've followed the TdF since the mid-1960's, when we had to wait two weeks for the Cycling News' to come out. But I enjoyed your presentation, and obviously knew it all already!

[@reecemossvlogs]

First time I'm looking forward to the tour de France, hope its going to be a good one!!!

[@gcn]

Enjoy it, Reece! It's looking like it's going to be an amazing race!

[@mosesbuddhajesus3362]

I wish Jeremy will star in more videos in the future! I love this guy, anyone else think so?

[@gcn]

Haha, we hope Holywood doesn't steel him away from us any time soon...

[@mosesbuddhajesus3362]

@@gcn steel, eh? 😜

[@ChristianMercadoAcevedo]

As a newbie who has always been lost by competitive sports, this video is a godsent.

[@kathym6603]

Appreciate your full coverage of the basics. It's a year old but still a great lesson.

[@grantwallace1882]

I have been watching the tour for many years and I still learnt something from this video. Good one, GCN.

[@superjan4459]

I started watching cycling like a month ago and this video helped me a lot, thank you.

[@gcn]

Glad it helped!

[@catospanky]

Excellent tutorial! My favorite feature this year has been the resurgence of Mark Cavendish and his incredible equaling (and hopefully breaking) of Eddie Merckx's record.

[@LiveOutLoud2024]

This is a great explanation. I have been watching the Tour for years, but never had any formal information on the technical aspect of the race. Great Job - Thank you!

[@DaHoePatrol]

Wow this was great! I just got into cycling a couple of months ago after dusting off my old single speed bike that was in the garage and taking it down to the beach to ride the bike paths. Just happens that today after our ride at the beach I was trying to explain to my fiend how the TDF works after watching the highlights of the previous days and now this comes out! Awesome keep it up lads.

[@bremnet1812]

Thank you so much for doing this video. I was hoping to see GCN put together a video on this topic. Fantastic job!

[@itsjaboi8316]

Great video, thanks! I got into cycling over lockdown and I'm looking forward to watching my first TDF this year!!

[@funofflying15]

This was an excellent presentation giving concise and pertinent information about the TDF, which was perfect for someone like me who knows absolutely nothing about it lol :-) Much more interesting than videos on how to wash your bike (again) or tyre size and stopping distances. Thank you!

[@melodieland1451]

Thanks very much for this great video! This is my first year of watching the Tour and really trying to understand what's going on. This video went a long way in my beginning education of this sport. I now can say, at least, that I know what all the colored jerseys signify and that's a huge plus!

[@ZaydDepaor]

Only the French could come out with such a convoluted competition format

[@iansteelmatheson]

well, it's been made more complicated over the decades to try to make things more exciting for people watching. like, intermediate sprints were put in to give you something to watch halfway through the stage, as most of the time the action happens in the last 10-20km (out of 180km)

[@davidgarrick2539]

Ive just got back into cycling and have started watching the TdF again. I found this very useful indeed. Thank you.

[@theproductyt]

Thanks! I just got into cycling and this answers EVERYTHING that was confusing me. You guys rock!

[@gcn]

Glad you found the video useful!

[@matthillard9363]

Thanks for this now my 7yr old understands what's going on and wants to race in the tdf

[@willtopower2158]

Always learning something new, really appreciated this video, Thank you!

[@martinattard4890]

Thanks to GCN, I now understood what's all about a grand Tour. I'm not young in age, and mostly , a MTB rider. But who does not enjoy watching the Tour de France ? Thanks to GCN for all the important ifo. you share with us !!

[@jplflyer]

Nice job. I knew a lot of this, but you cleared up a few things. Thank you.

[@SuperLanyard]

Finally! Thanks for the explainer video. Well done and very helpful. You guys are great! Viva Le Tour!!!!!

[@gcn]

Glad it helped!

[@jamesphillips9632]

Thank you that was a brilliant lesson on the Tour De France Very easy to follow 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@gcn]

Thanks, James! Much appreciated!

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Best and clearest guide to TDF ever !! good job.

[@gcn]

Thanks, Simon! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@notacooldudewithanattitude2731]

I already know all this but still watching and loving every details of the video. Well done GCN!

[@gcn]

Thank you!

[@nathantang9964]

Absolute quality from J pow. I might not like everything from GCN but this video is well explained and not easy to find.

[@gcn]

Cheers, Nathan!

[@hanktacular]

This was a great explainer for a newbie. Thank you so much!

[@gcn]

Cheers, Henry! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@divineangel7218]

Thank you so much for the crisp and clear explanation. Because of GCN, I bought my first road bike a few months ago in Chennai. Incredibly good contents, especially for a newbie like me... thanks again GCN

[@gcn]

That's great to hear! Glad you liked the video - enjoy the Tour de France!

[@MikeSmith-ni5eh]

Thanks Jeremy. Really helped understand the tour. Thanks again 👍

[@nancywages7029]

I started watching the Tour when I was 7. I used to live in Spain and would spend a month of summer vacation with my grandparents, which was religiously watched by them and my mother. We would go to see them arrive and was always so exciting. My idols were Polidor, Luis Ocana, Bernard Hinault, Capucci, Jaja, etc. I still at 62 watch it. Love it for the places crossed, the history, the incredible talent of these guys, it's just unique and nothing comes close to it.

[@pernels.thyseldew2157]

One favorite are the faithful followers like the sealing wax red '67 VW Van that follows, and others, plus the landscapes, chateaus and no graffiti anywhere!

[@Jamminn555]

Absolute best primer on the Tour de France on the internet. Period. Thank you!!

[@nancyford8212]

Thanks for helping to explain it better so it will be more fun to watch.

[@danyaviation2626]

I know How the Tour works and everything, but it’s so chill and interesting to hear you explain

[@antares8281]

Thank you. I'm new to cycling racing and needed this. I figured out a couple of things, but I was still mostly lost. It ain't baseball. It's all clear to me now. Thanks again.

[@gullsrus]

Very much enjoyed this. Jus love cycling.

[@mndyD9]

Already knew all this but liking it because Jeremy’s energy during the explanation is captivating. He could literally explain paint drying and I’d stop to listen

[@tokenspirit6140]

So excited about TDF. I first had the opportunity to watch the live coverage (with' Phil'), in 2014, when I had a broken ankle and in a boot cast. It was the best that could happen that year! My passion grew and grew. No wonder! I grew up on a bike in West Yorkshire. My father was a Time Trials champ back in the pre and post-war Britain days. Spent many days up and down the Dales and other great regions of northern England. I know I am watching intently, for all the old lads who went before, in this beautiful sport. (Sad though, this year, that we could not get the usual channel on TV in Toronto, ON).

[@rsangala]

Great Vid, easy explanation for a great sport. Thanks

[@idabjernemose]

Sprinters: biggest men Climbers: smallest men Team leaders (aiming to win): middle men Sprinters are too heavy to climb mountins quick, climbers are too small to sprint and team leaders need to be a good at everything, not amazing, but good.

[@omniyambot9876]

Why do sprinters have to be heavy?

[@kaos7116]

@@omniyambot9876 sprinters need strong muscles to burst forward, i think dont quote me on that

[@laobe5119]

Caleb😂

[@Kat-zj5kd]

wow thanks amazing vieo now i understand all the jerseys so exciting

[@reverse_thursday]

perfect intro to the competition, thanks for the video guys

[@camillestorm740]

getting into cycling ! excited to follow this years tour

[@ikmansuri]

Recently joined a cycle club at the age of 49 but enjoying it, n taking intrest with you GCN, WATCHED TDF first time...THANK YOU,

[@gcn]

Amazing! Keep riding, age is just a number after all!

[@elizabeth7544]

Thank you. I want to follow this year

[@jefferymoore8019]

Cool to hear about the meaning of the jerseys. Nice video.

[@ldreese33]

I like this video. The presenter was knowledgeable and fun to listen to. His passion for the race showed.

[@NickMaovich]

That is a very good explanation of all of the jerseys and types of riders. Thanks!

[@gcn]

Thanks, Nick! Glad you found the video helpful!

[@daniisi]

You the man Jeremy! The way you tell it makes anyone who lost the glow, "ge the bug" back or anew!

[@daggerdabber]

nice video to know everything in tour de france!!

[@behnaum1]

This is the best explanation.You are a professor. Thank you

[@LarryJuan_]

I became interested soon as I got back into cycling nice to know about the tour!!

[@reddiver7293]

I knew all this yet I thoroughly enjoyed the vid. Well done.

[@bikeskimawk670]

JP love your passion for cycling. Ride to the level of your smile.

[@hes_no_rocketsurgeon]

Kudos JP, this primer is an excellent intro to the Tour for anyone looking to learn the basics and get sucked into the grandeur of the biggest bike race out there. Nitpick time 😉, I was worried when I knew we were gonna hit a lot of French terms but you pretty much nailed all of them more than adequately for us english speakers. Only quibble is jaune should sound closer to own, than lawn. Well done, it would be great if something like this could remove the barrier to entry for curious observers. Those people who might otherwise be turned off by the complexity around this great event, that the initiated love so much.

[@gcn]

Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the video. The Tour de France is such an amazing event, we want as many people to watch and enjoy it as possible - anything we can do to make it easier to understand!

[@simonsaville9962]

Great job, and a definite 'Hell to the Yeah!' for JPOW.

[@gcn]

Thanks, Simon! Jeremy nailed this one!

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Great video Jeremy. Well since I started riding a road bike 4 yrs and three bikes ago, Started watching the Tour, it's cool I like how they organize everything the team trucks how they have every spare you could need and then the ones you forget, also the food. But mostly its the location , if I never make it to France or other parts of Europe the TV shows so much of the country side, I get so jealous they have houses older then America.

[@gcn]

The Tour has so many amazing aspects to it! Enjoy this years race, Ken!

[@vincerelucio5948]

I've been looking for this!!! i am 3 months into cycling btw

[@leduanreina]

Good job. This is the type of content that help our sport and boost the industry. Thank you.

[@gcn]

Thanks, Leduan!

[@TheOriginalStevenH]

This was amazingly produced. Why the heck didn't this video come out 4 years earlier when I started getting into serious cycling?!

[@gcn]

Glad you liked the video! Make sure you share it with people you know who are just getting into it, so they don't miss out!

[@georgiaguardian4696]

I absolutely love this game explanation video! Wow all the rules open my eyes. I knew only one - the yellow jersey.

[@pandas941]

Thank you for this!

[@TheUltimateULTRA]

great video GCN, it'd be great to do a video explaining each of the grand tours

[@gcn]

Thanks, Alex! That's a great idea!

[@davecurtis8833]

Great explanation and enthusiasm Jeremy !

[@gcn]

Thank you, Dave!

[@fmc6338]

Great presenter really helps me get excited.

[@racovert1]

Been watching the TDF for years but this still was a nice summary

[@dafyddgiddins9861]

I never like anything on social media or youtube almost as a rule, but this video compelled me to do so. Amazing job JP

[@gcn]

Thanks, Dafydd! Appreciate the support!

[@ianstewart8301]

Great work. Thanks

[@markdee6689]

Great job! Not only were you an outstanding cyclist you’re also an outstanding presenter. Very energetic and positive!

[@gcn]

Thanks, Mark! We absolute love Jeremy's energy!

[@sid7395]

Great explanation, thanks Jeremy!

[@gcn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MarkyNuz]

Excellent video

[@alvinabad2339]

Great explanation! 👍🏻

[@CoreyCrone]

Fantastic video for Tour de France rookies

[@runoldhare]

A great vid, thank you ! It answered a lot of my queries......and the narrator could do a very passable Kermit !

[@heidijarvis777]

2 yrs ago I didn’t even know what a peloton was 😂 a great explanation by the fabulous Jeremy. Still lots to explain with racing, such as etiquette etc.

[@gcn]

Glad the video was helpful, Heidi! We could make hours and hours of content about racing - but thought Le Tour is the best place to start!

[@g.fortin3228]

great explanations here , I had wondered about a lot of that.

[@gcn]

Glad to be able to help :)

[@christinahoward2359]

Cheers for bringing up women's cycling! Hoping to be able to tune in to a large women's tour in my lifetime.

[@gcn]

Hopefully, we don't have to wait too much longer! I can't remember the last time I watched a women's race that wasn't really really exciting...

[@shaileshdeshmukh5617]

Good explanation...thanks

[@jasonmccartney4167]

Well presented, great job!

[@gcn]

Cheers, Jason! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@AgravepasmonK]

Very interesting, thank you

[@gcn]

Thanks!

[@robertbotta6536]

So darn good. Thank you.

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@R500JPH]

Great explanation 👍

[@wilfredo-teyrosalesfotos]

New to cycling due to the pandemic coming from an ultra running background. Pretty excited to experience my first TDF as a fan/cyclist!

[@gcn]

That's awesome, Wilfredo! Enjoy it, it's an amazing race to start with!

[@Nick_Whiskey]

Hey thanks for the explanation

[@jlsimonable]

clear, simple bravo!

[@gcn]

Thanks very much!