| The famous Tour de France is a bicycle race known | | | | riding bicycles together each day, with the first over |
| around the world. It typically has 21 days, or stages, of | | | | the line winning, but some days are ridden against the |
| racing and covers not more than 3,500 kilometers | | | | clock by individuals or teams. Most stages hit the |
| (2,200 mi). The shortest Tour France was in 1904 at | | | | mainland France, although in 60's, nearby countries are |
| 2,420 kilometers (1,500 mi), the longest in 1926 at 5,745 | | | | also visited. The winner is the person who usually |
| kilometers (3,570 mi). | | | | master all of the mountains and of these time trials. |
| It spam over three weeks usually include 2 days for | | | | There is variety of Stages which can be flat, undulating |
| rest, in some cases used to transport riders from a | | | | or mountainous. The capital city of Paris is the finishing |
| finish in one town to the start in another. In tour de | | | | level for this race. It dates back to the Dreyfus Affair, |
| France, the country is divided into alternates between | | | | a cause célèbre which divided France at the end |
| clockwise and counterclockwise circuits of France. | | | | of the 19th century over the innocence of Alfred |
| Cyclists in the race are judged by the time each has | | | | Dreyfus, a soldier convicted - though later exonerated |
| taken throughout the race, a ranking known as the | | | | - of selling military secrets to the Germans. |
| general classification. One can win without winning a | | | | Contestants are always awarded prize money it |
| stage. Meanwhile there are subsidiary competitions | | | | varies from 20,000 old francs to 500,000 francs. The |
| with distinctive jerseys for the best rider. Cyclist can | | | | Prize money for the winner has always been |
| face time deductions for finishing as well in a daily | | | | increased each year. From 1076-87 the first prize |
| stage or being first to pass an intermediate point. | | | | which was offered by a sponsor was a luxury |
| This race causes critically the most physical exertion | | | | apartment, than the prize in 80's wan a lavish car and |
| for the racers. Race is divided in different teams and | | | | an apartment plus 500,000 francs in cash. Ironically the |
| number of teams is usually divided between 20 to 22 | | | | first three tours stayed within France. |
| racers. Race organizer chose the entry is by, the | | | | According to the official record of this race 36 racers |
| Amaury Sport Organisation. During the racet team | | | | from France have won this title, followed by Belgium |
| members also help each other and are followed by | | | | (18), Spain (12), United States (10), Italy (9), Luxembourg |
| managers and mechanics in cars. | | | | (4), Switzerland and the Netherlands (2 each) and |
| Tour de France normally starts with the participants | | | | Ireland, Denmark and Germany (1 each). |