Le Tour de France

Of all the cycling events in the world, Le Tour de France is the most important one. Spirit of sacrifice, tremendous efforts, but equally important rewarding prizes and fame is what the competition is all about. The race was founded a little over a hundred years ago. The cycling race is about 3500 km (about 2200 miles) long. The route includes France and its neighboring countries and takes place over three weeks, with two rest days. Each day makes up a stage: flat, mountainous or undulating and each competitor's stage time is summed at the end to determine the general winner.

The cycling Tour de France is part of a famous trio of cycling events - the Giro d'Italia in May and the Vuelta a Espana in August-Septmber. Found in 1903, the Tour de France was initially a circuit starting and ending in Paris. The prizes were modest and the winner was Garin, the winner of the first two and last two stages. The last cyclist to cross the finish line was Millocheau after approximately 65 hours of riding.

The prizes nowadays are very consistent and motivating and are hunted by 20-22 teams selected by the organizers, each having nine competitors. Each stage of the competition has a prize of about 8,000 Euros (about $11,800). The team trial stage has a prize worth approximately 10,000 Euros (about $14,800). The most valuable prize is the Yellow Jersey, which goes to the winner after all stages, established by adding the stage times and the prize is approximately 450,000 Euros (about $670,000.00). The Green Jersey is given according to the order in which the competitors win the intermediate sprints and the finish line. Its value is approximately 25,000 Euro (about $37,000). The Polka Dot Jersey is for the best climber and is valued at approximately 25,000 Euro (about $37,000). The White Jersey is awarded to the best under 25 rider, with a value of about 20,000 Euro (about $29,000) and is also given the Combativity Award.

In 2007, the opening of the cycling competition was held in Britain, more precisely in London, in Trafalgar Square. The next day, the riders took a lap in central London. The starting point was Whitehall and the next day, the first road stage started from the Mall and finished in Cantebury. This was an enormous event for the British and for British Cycling, which has been trying hard to catch up with the good international world of cycling and to take part in numerous major events.

British cycling is the main cycling orgainization in Britain and includes BMX events, Mountain Biking, Cyclocross, Cycle Speedway and Road and Track events. British Cycling includes excellence and participation, focusing on performance, involvement and experience. In the last five years, cycling in Britain has known notable results, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic events and gathering most medals at three world championships. The first Englishman to take part in the Tour de France was Chris Holland. Robert Millar has won the Polka Dot Jersey, Brian Robinson has won a stage, and Michael Wright has won three stages.

Cycling in France is far more popular because of the Tour de France. And since it is a sport, it is normal for competition to exist. The increase of cyclists in Britain and the wins by its cyclists in the Tour adds to an increased interest in cycling all over the world.

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