5 Interesting Facts about the World Cycling Race, Tour De France

Kapanlagi.com - Cycling activities are increasingly popular among Indonesian people in the new normal era of the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting from celebrities like Gisella Anastasia, Nirina Zubir, Ernest Cokelat, to the general public, cycling has become a way to spend time during the pandemic. Cycling is considered the safest sport during this pandemic.

But did you know that there is a highly anticipated cycling race every year? The race is called Tour De France. This prestigious international cycling race lasts for 21 days or 3 weeks and covers thousands of kilometers! For those of you who want to know more about Tour De France, here are some interesting facts about this prestigious event. 

1. Accidentally Became the Biggest Racing Event in the World

The largest and most prestigious cycling race in the world was not originally created to be a real competition. In 1902, the French newspaper L'Auto was thinking of ways to increase their newspaper sales. One of L'Auto's employees had an idea. The idea was to hold a bicycle race in France so that it could be reported in their newspaper.

The idea was finally executed in 1903 with only 39 participants. True enough, their newspaper sales increased after organizing the Tour De France. Now, the idea has become one of the most anticipated sports events in the world.

2. Thousands of Kilometers, Various Stages

Tour De France always has a different route each year. In the early years of Tour De France, cyclists had to cover 2,400 kilometers to win the event. Recently, in August 2020, Tour De France was held with a distance of 3,470 kilometers.

Following Tour De France for 21 days does not mean cycling continuously for 21 days. The cyclists will be given 21 stages that must be completed each day. Each stage has a different terrain, ranging from flat roads, hills, mountains, to time trials. Not only that, the cyclists are also given 2 rest days after Stage 9 and Stage 15.

3. Different Colors, Different Meanings

The colors of the jerseys worn by each cyclist actually have their own meanings. The yellow jersey, commonly called maillot jaune, is worn by the race leader. The white jersey with red dots or polka dots, commonly called maillot a pois rouges, is worn by the cyclist with the best time record in the mountain stages. The green jersey, commonly called maillot vert, is worn by the cyclist with the highest points in the sprint category. Finally, the white shirt commonly called maillot blanc is worn by riders under 25 years old.

4. Big Prizes

Great effort will surely be rewarded with great prizes. The winners of the Tour De France will receive Rp 9 billion for the first champion, Rp 3 billion for the second champion, and Rp 1.5 billion for the third champion.

Not only that, the winners of each stage will also receive prizes. Each stage is worth Rp 180 million. The winner of the mountain stage will receive a larger prize of around Rp 450 million because this terrain is very difficult.

5. Inspiring Many Countries

The phenomenal Tour De France certainly inspires other countries to create their own cycling events. In Indonesia, there have been several cycling races similar to the Tour De France. One of them is the Tour d'Indonesia held last year. Starting at Candi Brobudur and ending in Batur, Bali, Tour d'Indonesia covers a distance of 571 kilometers divided into 5 stages.

Representative of the International Cycling Union Commissioner, Jacky Vardenet, said that Tour d'Indonesia can now be considered on par with racing events in Europe. Indonesia plans to host 5 other prestigious racing events in 2021.

Author: Iqbal Laduni

(kpl/mag)