21 stages in 23 days, almost 3,500 kilometres and 176 riders on the start line - these are the key figures ahead of the start of the 111th Tour de France. For the first time in the history of the "Grand Loop", the race started in Italy. The riders are competing for prizes with a total pool of around €2.3 million.
The oldest of the current world races started on 29 June in Florence. For the first time in history, the Tour de France participants started the competition in Italy, which also hosts the second and third stages of the race. It is also the 26th time that the start of the race has taken place outside France. The choice of Italy and Florence is a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first ever Italian winner of the Tour, Gino Bartali. The cyclist was just born in the Tuscan capital.
Toughest opening ever and finish in Nice
The very first days on the route of the 'Grand Loop' will serve as a reminder of how challenging the Tour de France is for riders. After the presentation of the stages, the organisers called the start the toughest opening of the race in history. In addition, the riders will compete twice in the individual time trial - on the 7th and 21st, the final stage. On the 21 stages, the elevation will be over 52 kilometres and the finish of five stages will be on a hill.
During the three weeks of competition, the peloton will ride up Puy Mary, Col du Tourmalet, Pla d'Adet, Plateau de Beille, Col du Noyer, Col de la Colmiane and Col de la Couillole, among others. The route passes through many well-known and popular cities. In addition to the aforementioned Florence, these include Rimini, Bologna, Turin, Dijon, Troyes and Monte Carlo, as well as Nice, where the finish of the race will be located.
The finish is another major change to the route of this year's Tour de France. On 21 July, the classic will exceptionally finish in Nice rather than on the Champs-Elysees. This is because of another major sporting event that will start in France just a few days after the finish of the Tour de France. The finale will be a demanding time trial of over 33 kilometres from Monte Carlo.
2.3 million euro prize pool
What will the riders compete for? This year, the prize pool has reached €2.3 million. The overall winner will receive €500,000. The one who stands on the top step of the podium in Nice will also wear the yellow jersey. The best 'mountain man' will receive a distinctive white leotard with red peas, and the best sprinter a green jersey. There will also be a white jersey for the winner of the youth classification.
The world's best riders at the start
The start of the "Grand Loop" will feature 176 riders from 18 teams in the top division and four who have received wild cards. The race will feature four riders who already know the taste of victory in the Tour de France - they are Jonas Vingegaard, who won last year, as well as Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas and Tadej Pogacar. The latter has already won the Giro d'Italia this year and has officially announced that he is now aiming for another Tour victory. Vingegaard, on the other hand, is back on his bike after a very serious crash and recovery. The Dane's form is a question mark.
Also among the favourites is certainly Primoz Roglić. The Slovenian has had a very unlucky start to the season, but recent victories indicate that he has managed to prepare himself for the most important start of the season. Australian Jai Hindley and Belgian Remco Evenepoel are also among the favourites.
Cavendish's historic feat and the only Pole in the race
Mark Cavendish's story is also worth mentioning. In his 15th start in the 'Grand Loop', the Briton will face the chance to break the all-time record for the number of stage wins. His current team - Astana Qazaqstan Tema - will focus on helping one of their leaders. Cavendish currently has 34 stage wins to his credit. To add, a single stage win is a prize of €11,000.
There is only one Pole competing in the 111th edition of the Tour de France - Michal Kwiatkowski in the colours of the Ineos Grenadiers team. Kwiatkowski has already won the Tour de France stages twice - in 2020 and 2023. "Kwiato" will ride the French roads primarily as a sidekick to the leaders of his group, but there may be opportunities to earn something for himself in individual stages.
Broadcasts in over 200 countries worldwide
41 TV broadcasters will be showing all stages and parts of them live in more than 200 countries around the world. As always, the organisers are expecting huge interest. A year ago, in France alone, the viewership of the race reached 42.5 million, and according to the Amaury Sport Organisation, last year's 'Le Tour' gathered 150 million Europeans in front of their televisions.
The Tour de France also has a huge community of passionate fans on social media. Depending on estimates, each year the 'Grand Loop' gathers between 12 and 20 million fans along the route. The official Tour de France website during the 2023 race recorded more than 80 million hits and 30.6 million unique users.
InPost Group and Mondial Relay sponsors the race
Michał Kwiatkowski is not the only Polish accent in the 111th edition of the Tour de France. For the first time in history, a Polish company was among the sponsors of the oldest of the currently held cycling races. The InPost Group is an official partner of the Tour de France. InPost and Mondial Relay will hold the official flag of the race and present it before each stage to Christian Prudhomme, director of the TdF, and representatives of the stage towns.
