Demystifying The 3 Km Rule In Tour De France: Everything You Need To Know

The Tour de France is an annual cycling event that spans three weeks, usually taking place in July. It consists of approximately 20 day-long stages. This prestigious race involves 20 professional teams, each comprising nine riders. The course covers a staggering distance of around 3,600 kilometers (2,235 miles). While the majority of the race is held in France, there are occasional and brief visits to neighboring countries such as Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Spain. As of September 28, 2023, the Tour de France remains an awe-inspiring showcase of endurance and athleticism.

Tour de France is a prestigious stage race, consisting of multiple individual races, or stages, that take place on consecutive days. It’s a grueling competition where cyclists face various challenges. If a rider is unable to finish a stage, for any reason, they are forced to withdraw from the entire Tour de France, and they won’t be allowed to participate in subsequent stages, regardless of the circumstances that led to their inability to complete the stage. Throughout the event, the time it takes for each rider to finish each stage is meticulously recorded and added together to determine the overall standings. This cumulative time is a critical factor in determining the winner of the Tour de France, making each stage a crucial part of the competition.