About
The Tour de France, first held in 1903, is the world's most prestigious cycling race — a 21-stage race covering approximately 3,500 km through France and neighboring countries over three weeks. The yellow jersey (maillot jaune) worn by the overall leader is one of sport's most recognizable garments.
Eddy Merckx (5 wins), Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Lance Armstrong dominated the race in different eras. Armstrong's 7 consecutive wins (1999–2005) were all stripped due to systematic doping — the sport's greatest scandal. The Tour de France is watched by an estimated 3.5 billion viewers per edition.
# Top 10 Tour de France facts
- 1The Tour de France covers approximately 3,500 km in 21 days — riders climb the equivalent of Everest twice
- 2Lance Armstrong's 7 wins were all stripped after he admitted to systematic doping
- 3The yellow jersey has been awarded since 1919 — chosen because the sponsoring newspaper, L'Auto, was printed on yellow paper
Fascinating Facts
- ◆The Tour de France covers approximately 3,500 km in 21 days — riders climb the equivalent of Everest twice
- ◆Lance Armstrong's 7 wins were all stripped after he admitted to systematic doping
- ◆The yellow jersey has been awarded since 1919 — chosen because the sponsoring newspaper, L'Auto, was printed on yellow paper
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