Tour de France All-time greats Infographic

Got this through from the team at Road Cycling UK. Eddy Merckx is still the man! Tried to embed the infographic but it squeezes out across the blog, so please click on the link above.

25 Tour de France Facts

The 100th Tour de France is upon us. Will this be the year where we'll see a Brit on the podium for the second year running?  Let's hope so.   

The Tour de France is the largest annual sporting event in the world, attracting around 12 million spectators line the route of the race over the three weeks it's held.  Millions of cyclists will be glued to the television, lining the roads and offering opinion to their fellow bretheren as the professionals endure one of the hardest sporting events on the planet.

I've compiled 25 interesting, unusual and random facts about the Tour de France for you to impress your friends with when you're out on the bike.   2014 will see the race start in Yorkshire, an exciting time for British Cycling, I wonder if one of our British riders will be aiming for that stage?

25 Tour de France Facts

1. The oldest competitor in the 2013 race is German - Jens Voigt - at 41 years old riding for Radioshack-Leopard.  He' also the tallest rider in the race at 1.99M.
2. The youngest competitor in the 2013 race is 20 year old Aleksey Lutsenko, riding for Astana.
3. 22 teams will contest the 2013 race.  19 Proteams and 3 French Pro-Continental teams by invitation.
4. The fastest Tour de France ever completed in terms of average speed was recorded in 2005 by now discredited rider - Lance Armstrong - returning 41.654kph over the 3,593km course.  
5. Belgian Eddy Merckx has ridden in the yellow jersey for more days than anyone else in Tour history, wearing it 111 times.
6. The first Tour de France was held in 1903 and won by 32 year old Maurice Garin.  
7. The 1903 Tour de France was 2,428km long, around two -thirds the distance of the modern day race.
8. The youngest winner of the Tour de France was Frenchman - Octave Lapize - who won the 1910 race at the tender age of 21.
9. The oldest winner of the Tour de France was 36 year old Belgian - Firmin Lambot - who won the 1922 race at the age of 36.  Australian - Cadel Evans - winner of the tour in 2011, was 35.
10. The lightest rider in the 2013 race is Venezualan climber - Jose Rujano - at a sprightly 53kg (116 pounds).
11. The rider with the most Tour de Frances in his palmares is German Rouler - Jens Voigt, his best result is 26th.
12. Groupset share by brand in the 2013 teams.  Shimano (12 teams), Campagnolo (6 teams), SRAM (2 teams), Other factory groupsets (2 sets).
13. France as a nation have had the most Tour de France victories (36).
14. The smallest gap between a winner and second place was 8 seconds between American - Greg Lemond - and Frenchman - Laurent Fignon - in 1989.  It was suggested that this was down to the helmet that Lemond wore during the final time trial.
15. The youngest ever participant of the tour was Frenchman - Henri Cornet - in 1904, at 20 years old.
16. The record for tour appearance goes to Dutchman - Joop Zoetemelk, with 16 appearances.
17. Around 3.5bn people watch the Tour de France on the television.
18. Belgian Eddy Merckx still holds the record for the most individual stage victories in the history of the race, with 34 to his name.
19. Wheelset share by brand in the 2013 teams.  Shimano (6 teams), Campagnolo (3 teams), Corima (2 teams), Mavic(3 teams), Zipp (2 teams), Other individual brands (5 teams).
20. The longest tour in race history was in 1926, a staggering 5,745km.
21. 15 different clothing suppliers are represented by the final line up of 22 teams showing the diversity of manufacturers.
22. The largest margin that a tour has been won by is 28 minutes and 17 seconds in 1952, Italian Fausto Coppi took the yellow jersey.
23. Around 40,000 bottles containing drinks will be used during the three week race.
24. 1919 saw the lowest number of finishers.  10 out of the 69 starters.
25. The Tour has its own travelling bank - the only one in France allowed to open on Bastille Day.

2013 Dates of Major International Road Cycling Races

Start getting your holidays and days off planned now folks, the cycling season is just about to start.  Here's a list of the main international pro events being held during 2013 for you to help with your plans.

January
Tour Down Under - 22nd Jan to 27th Jan

February
Tour of Qatar - 3rd Feb to 8th Feb
Tour of Oman - 11th Feb to 16th Feb

March
Paris-Nice - 3rd March to 10th March
Tirreno - Adriatico - 6th March to 12th March
Milano - San Remo - 17th March
Gent - Wevelgem - 24th March
Tour of Flanders - 31st March

April
Paris - Roubaix - 7th April
Amstel Gold Race - 14th April
Fleche Wallonne - 17th April
Liege - Bastogne - Liege - 21st April
Tour de Romandie - 23rd April to 28th April

May 
Giro D'Italia - 4th May to 26th May
Tour of Norway - 15th May - 19th May 

June
Criterium du Dauphine - 2nd June to 9th June
Tour de Suisse - 8th June to 16th June
Tour de France - 29th June to 21st July

July
Tour de Pologne - 27th July to 3rd August

August
Eneco Tour - 12th August to 18th August
Vuelta a Espana - 24th August to 15th September

September
Tour of Britain - 15th September to 22nd September
World Championships - 22nd September and 25th September

October
Tour of Beijing - 16th October to 20th October

Sky is the Limit

We have a new super celebrity in cycling - step forward Bradley Wiggins -  2012 Tour de France winner (and hopefully the next BBC Sportsperson of the Year).  

If you're like me, I've been hoping that Bradley stayed out of trouble, avoided crashes and had the legs to get through the high mountains unscathed.  Since 2009 when he came fourth, the promise was always there that he had the potential.  2010 it kind of fell apart for him on the tour, 2011 a crash and a broken collarbone.  Here we now are with Bradley in Paris, crowned the first ever British winner of the Tour de France - awesome.

He couldn't of done it alone.  Grand Tours are won by the dedication and work rates of the entire teams, domestiques sacrificing themselves and - particularly on this tour - super domestique Chris Froome ably assisted at times by the the road race world champion - Mark Cavendish.  We can't forget either his wife and family who have had to endure the endless training camps, long periods away and media attention, it can't be easy.  Then there's the mechanics, soigneurs and back-room staff, pro-cycling has a big infrastructure behind it.

The role of SKY

One thing I thought of the other day was whether this would have happened in the timescales it has, without the mega £30M investment by SKY into British Cycling and SKY team in 2009.  In my view, it was a game changer.

When the annoucment was first made in 2008, the stated ambition was for them to put a British winner on the podium within five years.  Since then, they've invested huge amounts in signing the right riders, the right coaches and technology to achieve that grand goal.  Someone will be popping the Champagne corks, that's for sure.  In fact, SKY have already committed to a further four year deal with British Cycling, securing sponsorship until 2016.

Prior to that, no one had backed the concept in such a brave way.  Wiggins, Cavendish and the other riders could quite happily have ridden in other teams, however Sky backed the concept and no fewer than 9 out of their 28 squad are now British.

Wiggomania

Bradleys life is going to change forever.  The Mod loving, Wigan living cyclist who shoots it straight from the hip, is a journalists dream (and a PR persons nightmare). Outspoken, forthright and unpredicatable, the cycling public love him for it.  His tirade of swear words at a press-conference when asked about doping, being a typical example of his no-nonsense style.

What people like most is that he is very down to earth.  No airs and graces, no delusions of grandeur and supportive of the fans that stood out to cheer him along the whole route.  It's been quite a journey for him, his auto-biography is well worth a read and will no doubt enjoy a good boost in sales, along with other endorsements.  I noted that Fred Perry have just launched a Bradley Wiggins range of shirts  with a cycling/mod theme.  


So, with the Olympic road race only a couple of weeks away, this win will give the entire team a big lift and I'm sure Wiggo will be paying back Mark Cavendish big style in his pursuit to be Olympic champion.  

Prior to then, life is going to be a whirlwind of media.  Cycling is going to have yet another big lift, more people will engage in the sport and it will move up the list of national past times.  To see Bradley Wiggins achieve his boyhood dream is inspiring, he's worked hard, had one hell of a journey and made a lot of British road cyclists very happy.  On behalf of us all, Chapeau Wiggo!

Bradleys Yellow Jersey and Race Number

On Tour with Garmin-Cervelo

Picture the scene, e-mail arrives.  Opening line says "Would you like to join Garmin-Cervelo as a VIP guest at this Years Tour de France."  Let me think for a minute, sorry a second, sorry a nano-second. What then rolled out, was a cyclists dream in terms of a trip.  If I wrote about the whole thing, this blog would be about two thousand words long.  So, let me share the highlights: -

Guest Pass

• Spent the afternoon in a bar in Paris with Richard Gorman and Sven Thiele of Hot Chillee Events, who issued the invite on behalf of the team.  We watched the time trial unfold as members of the cycling industry, journalists, sponsors and others turned up.  It was fascinating to get journalist insight - in real time -as the race unfolded.
• The evening ended late, with Champagne and Oysters in a Paris restaurant starting at 1am.  Getting a lift back to the hotel in the early hours, our lift had David Harmon's Onix bike in the boot of her car.  Funny where you see stuff.
• Following morning, we were up and about for a ride.  Got ushered into a room where there were a collection of top-end Cervelo bikes, didn't take me long to nab one.  Kid in a sweet shop falls to mind.  Got given the a full set of the new Garmin-Cervelo bodypaint Tour de France kit worth around two hundred quid (which getting it home is too small for me - aaagggh).  The bike had Rotor eliptical cranks, which I've never ridden before.  With my hangover, I didn't do them justice!

Cervelo anyone?

• Setting out from the hotel, we headed up the Champs Elysees out to the Bois de Boulogne, did about five laps and then back down the Champs-Elysees and round the circuit.  Awesome to have ridden the cobbles on the day the race was arriving.  Loads of people were already taking their positions and we got plenty of support as we rolled round.

Ready to Set Off on the ride

•  Arriving back, quick shower and change, then onto the American Embassy for a pre-race drinks/canapes reception.  It had an awesome view of the road and was a great place to watch the pre-race procession chunder through.

View from the American Embassy

• With the riders about 20km away, we made our way through to the hospitality stands very close to the finish line.  There was a huge screen opposite for us to watch the approach.  When the riders turned up, there was a tremendous roar, the Tour de France came to life as The Peloton whisked by.  I spent some time with England Rugby Star - Steve Borthwick -  who is a big cycling convert, great bloke (and very big).
• As the race finished, I got tapped on the shoulder.  "An opportunity has come up to sit in the team car as the riders do their procession lap, fancy it?"  - mmmm, let me think (scrambling out of the stands and sprinting towards the team coach).
• Jumped in the car and who should be there - but Mrs Tyler Farrar - had a good natter with her about being a cycling WAG and then just soaked up being driven up and down the Champs (I spotted David Millar having a moment when I had the video on before they rolled out, which you can see here).  

• He handed me his camera as we set out and asked me to take a few photo's - which I was happy to oblige.  Thor handed me some Norwegian cookies that a fan had given him.  It was incredible the reception that Thor got, he is a very popular rider with all the fans.
• Riding up and down the Champs-Elysee was awesome.  Tens of thousands of fans were still there, ready to greet their idols, get autographs, photo's, a kiss, a freebie.
• Getting back to the pits around a quarter past seven, it was straight back to the hotel to get changed, for the post-tour party with the team.  Set in a beautiful contemporary museum in the shadow of the Eiffel tower, all the riders, their families, the team and support crew plus sponsors enjoyed a magnificent dinner, speeches, wine and song - quite a night, as Garmin-Cervelo won the team prize. 

The team posing at the Champs turn

•  Rising the next morning, it was pretty surreal.  I'm reading David Millar's book - "Racing Through The Dark" - at the minute.  I wandered into a park, sat down and read for two hours, just soaking up the sun and the pre-race buzz. 
• As I arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport to travel home, I spotted Team Sky Manager - Dave Brailsford - in the lounge and asked him to sign the book, as he did the foreword.  Little did I know that David Millar's sister - Frances - was sat right next to him, she introduced herself.
• Flying home, Frances Millar was in the seat in front of me, Dave Brailsford in the row in front of her.  At that very point, I'd reached the bit about when David Millar was arrested during a dinner with Dave Brailsford in Biarritz, France.  How funny that the two people that dominated that chapter, were sat in front of me.
• Arriving home, I have to say it was a top weekend.  Richard Gorman and Sven Thiele of Hot Chillee, were absolutely brilliant hosts, great mates who gave me a real insight into the sport.  Garmin-Cervelo certainly know how to put a show on.  A huge thank you to Alex Palmer of Slipstream Sports, who worked hard all weekend with all the guests and made this super-special weekend possible.
• I grabbed a stack of pictures, here's some to take a look at.

Liked this beauty

 

Rotor Cranks

Orbea close up crankset

Thor Hushovd rear gear ratio

Thor's World Champion Bike

The DS masterplan in the car

Euskatel boys hang around

Rotor makes you motor

Spotted this on the Euskatel frame - nice touch.

Tyler-Farrar

Liquigas on their to the procession lap

Andy Schleck stops for a chat

Thor's Stealth Bike - Radar Invisible!

David Millar Post-Race Interview

A Beginners Guide to The Tour de France

Someone at work recently asked me to explain how the Tour de France works to them.  They thought it was a big race (true), where every rider sets off and then however goes over the line first wins (not true).  So, this short article is for the pure beginner, with basic information.  So, here is my two minute guide to the Tour de France.  It doesn't cover everything, but will give you the basics.

1. The race is run over three weeks and has 21 different stages.  Typically, it is around 3200km long (2000M).  2011 is 3,430km.
2. There are four different colour jerseys in the race awarded each stage to the person who leads the race on a cumulative basis.  Yellow (overall race winner also known as the Maillot Jaune), Green (the person who has picked up the most points at sprint stages during the race also known as the Maillot Vert), Polka Dot (King of the Mountains also known as the Maillot à Pois Rouges) and White (the best young rider or Maillot Blanc).  The Green and Polka Dot jerseys are won by accumulating points, which are awarded in descending value at the nominated stages.  Interestingly, you can be awarded the yellow jersey and not have won any of the stages, it's about being the most consistent cyclist over the 21 days.
3. Entry is by invitation only.  This year, around 22 teams will participate.  The event is controlled and run by an organisation called the ASO.
4. Riders of the same team, do not race against each other.  They ride as a team.  Generally speaking, there will be one rider in the team who is the favourite for the yellow jersey and they will all work to ensure he gets it.  Domestiques - as they are called - ride in front of the favoured rider, protecting him from the wind, getting his water bottles, pacing him and donating their own bike - if necessary - following an accident.
5. Riders within teams do different jobs.  Some are expert climbers, some sprinters, one or two will be expert time triallers, the remainder will be good all rounders, to fulfill the domestique role.  By having a broad range of skills, the team will compete for the different jerseys or use specific riders to deploy tactics.
6. An award is given to the top team at the end of the Tour.   This is calculated by adding the time of each team's best three riders each day.  Therefore, you can see it is important that the whole team performs as a strong unit.
7. The overall leader board is called the General Classification or GC.  This is the place you need to be if you want to win the Tour de France.  Riders are shown in order of their total time, with the lowest time at the top.  Normally, there is only a minute or two difference between the top and the bottom of the GC.  Every second counts!
8. The team manager or Directeur Sportif (DS) drives the team car and dictates the team strategy.   Riders wear earpieces where the DS will dicates team strategy, manage breakaways and communicate upcoming parts of the course.
9. The large group of riders is referred to as "The Peloton".  This describes the formation of the riders as they whisk along.  By riding as a big group, the riders conserve energy (up to 25% less energy is used when you are riding behind someone else).  Occassionally riders will shoot out of the peloton into a breakaway.  However, the peloton normally catches them.  
10. The race is hugely tactical.  Just because a rider shoots off from the rest of the group, it doesn't mean he's a threat to the Maillot Jaune.  For some riders, winning one stage of the Tour would be their biggest career achievement, so they'll give everything to win one stage.  Equally, sometimes riders may shoot off to give some TV time to their sponsors in a breakaway, so don't need to be chased down by the main contenders.  The Directeur Sportif is the person in charge of directing how the team rides each stage, it's like a huge game of chess.

Team Sky Pinarello

With the Tour de France in full swing, it's a great chance to check out the latest bikes and kit.

Ever since Team Sky hit the Pro circuit, I've loved the paint job they had done. It's not to everyone's taste, however - for me - it really stands out.

Team Sky are running a competition to win one of these beauties, not your usual showroom copy, but a full team issue bike worth around £12K. I've chucked in for it obviously and it would be better for me if you didn't, as I want to win it!

Go Andy, Go.....

We've got a bit of a sweepstake going on at the cycling club. My entry is Saxobank rider - Andy Schleck - who is a contender in the general clasification.

Andy hasn't had the best start. He's already crashed, his brother - Frank - is out with a broken collarbone, yet he carries on!

Thankfully Andy has super-domestique Fabian Cancellara seeing him through things. Come on Andy!

Meeting Dave Brailsford

"I recognise the back of that head." Sitting on the KLM flight from Manchester to Schipol today, I thought I spotted Team Sky General Manager & British Performance Director - Dave Brailsford - about four rows ahead. I did. When he jumped up to go to the loo, the he was wearing the unmistakable Team Sky shirt. I love opportunities like these, they are too good to miss, so I thought I'd grab him when we disembarked.

I'm glad I did. I ended up having a ten minute or so walk with him from the gate to the luggage collection point. In that time, he told me that: -

• Brad Wiggins is in good shape and all his training has gone well for the Tour de France. He was non-committal on podium finishes, preferring that Brad sticks to process and sees what comes (it's a classic technique that psychologists use to minimise pressure).
• He doesn't think Cav will repeat last years stage wins, he's not 100% at the minute fitness wise.
• They are going to scout the cobbled stages the evening before the race as it seems the lie of the cobbles changes with humidity and all sorts of other variables (never knew that).
• Sir Chris Hoy's training is going well for London 2012 and he may be able to repeat his gold triple if all goes to plan - wouldn't that be something!

He did mention a couple of other bits, however, I got the feeling that they weren't for publication, particularly when I asked him why Brad Wiggins isn't Tweeting anymore. So, I'll tell the trusted few only privately about that one. He also said it would be OK for me to drop by and see him at the Velodrome in the future, won't need to be asked twice!

1991 Tour de France

I've been watching DVD's of the Tour de France over the last couple of months, I've just finished the 1991 race, which Spanish rider Miguel Indurain won. This was to be his first of five successive victories in the tour. It's amazing how much bike technology has changed in under twenty years, when you look at the bikes they were riding then, it was less about wind resistance and more about strength and guts. The DVD soundtrack is quite funny, it starts like the soundtrack to a Western, transcends into 80's disco and then into some full on orchestral manouveres. Great viewing, just love these older races.