Tour de France

Guide Note

The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that takes places in July and traditionally ends in Paris, France.

Fast Facts

1. Organized by: Amaury Sport Organisation
2. Runs July 5, 2008, to July 27, 2008
3. First race: 1903
4. Starting point: Brest, France
5. End point: Paris, France
6. 2008 distance: 3,554 km (21 stages)
7. Route located mainly in France but has a portion in Italy
8. Lance Armstrong won seven titles from 1999 to 2005
9. Astana Racing Team was barred from the 2008 after involvement with previous doping scandals
10. Tour director: Christian Prudhomme

• Brest
• Plumelec
• Auray
• Saint-Brieuc
• Saint-Malo
• Nantes
• Cholet
• Châteauroux
• Aigurande
• Super-Besse
• Brioude
• Aurillac
• Figeac
• Toulouse
• Bagnères-de-Bigorre
• Pau
• Hautacam
• Lannemezan
• Foix
• Lavelanet
• Narbonne
• Nîmes
• Digne-les-Bains
• Embrun
• Prato Nevoso (Italy)
• Cuneo (Italy)
• Jausiers
• L'Alpe-d'Huez
• Bourg-d'Oisans
• Saint Étienne
• Roanne
• Montluçon
• Cérilly
• Saint-Amand-Montrond
• Étampes
• Paris

• Lanterne Rouge: Refers to the cyclist who comes in last-place, translates to "red lantern"
• Voiture Balai: Refers to the car or other automobile that picks up cyclists who drop out of the race
• Maillot Jaune: Yellow jersey adorned by the overall race leader
• Maillot Vert: Green jersey worn by winners of sprint points
• King of the Mountains: Title given cyclist who perform the best on certain mountains or hills along the course, awarded a polka dot jersey
• Maillot Blanc: Given to the leading cyclist who turns 25 or younger in the same calendar year as the current race

• 2007: Alberto Contador
• 2006: Oscar Pereiro
• 2005: Lance Armstrong
• 2004: Lance Armstrong
• 2003: Lance Armstrong
• 2002: Lance Armstrong
• 2001: Lance Armstrong
• 2000: Lance Armstrong
• 1999: Lance Armstrong
• 1998: Marco Pantari
• More...