It’s that time of year when our friends, families and colleagues start to appear a little weary, as the late nights of the Tour de France catch-up with them through July.
If you’re new to the world of cycling or just need a few talking points whilst chatting to fellow riders around the office coffee machine, here’s your handy starters guide to this year’s Tour.
The route covers over 3300km and includes mountain stages, flat stages, time trials and many, many metres of climbing. The 2022 Tour starts on Friday 1 July (12am Saturday AEST if you’re planning to stay up) with a time trial around Copenhagen. After three stages in Denmark, the Tour will head on to France. Belgium and Switzerland will also appear on the Tour map to round out the four featured countries (the most since 2017!)
The Tour is a race of attrition that spins wonderful narratives along its three-week journey through the picturesque French countryside.
The battle for the yellow jersey, worn by the general classification (GC) leader of the tour (the lowest cumulative time) is the main story of the Tour de France. At the end of stage 20, the wearer of the yellow of jersey is (unofficially) declared the winner. Stage 21 is a procession stage and where the champagne on a bike photos come from.
The daily battles for the breakaway wins, the polka dot jersey (mountain classification), green jersey (sprinters jersey) and white jersey (best young rider), also make for compelling viewing throughout the three weeks.
What about the women you ask? The Tour de Femmes will run from the 24 – 31 July. This year in its first edition, the Tour de Femmes will cross three regions across eight days. You’ll be able to watch stage 1 prior to the final stage of the men’s Tour and continue for the next week.
Riders to watch
The contenders
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates)
Winning three stage races this year, Pogačar is heading into the Tour de France in great form. Not to mention he won the last two editions and he’s only 23… so his best is yet to come! Can he make it three years in a row?
Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
Roglic is one of two GC contenders for Jumbo-Visma, posting strong results this year with a couple of wins and previously finishing on the podium at the Tour de France.
Jonas Vinegard (Jumbo-Visma)
While not as decorated as his teammate Roglic, Vinegard has shown that on his day, his climbing can contend with that of Pogačar. At the ripe age of 25 and with a second place to his name in last year’s tour, he’s only going to get stronger.
Keep an eye on...
Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe)
The 26-year-old from Russia is a big-name debutant in 2022. He was leading the Tour De Suisse before abandoning due to COVID-19. Pending how he recovers, he’s a real chance for a top five finish.
Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers)
The 2018 GC winner had a slow start to this season but a strong individual time-trial at the Tour de Suisse secured him the overall win and will give him some confidence heading into the Tour.
Ben O’Connor (AG23 Citroën)
With a stage win and fourth place overall in 2021, Aussie hope Ben O’Connor is in a strong position to snag a top five finish again and if all goes well is a chance for the podium.
Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious)
Jack was riding well during the 2021 Tour De France before crashing out and is another Aussie who is a chance for a top 5 in 2022.
Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal)
Caleb Ewan has five stage wins to his name at the Tour de France and is likely to add to that tally this year. Another strong Aussie, he’s one to keep an eye out for on the flat stages.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Van der Poel went on a rampage in the opening week of last year’s Tour, with a stage victory and donning the yellow jersey for six days. He’s certainly in contention to steal a few stage wins this year.
Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)
While Van Aert is coming off the back of a knee injury, Jumbo-Visma officials have confirmed he’s fit and ready to race! The 27-year-old will have a nudge at the Tour’s green jersey in the coming month and is expected to be in the mix for the first yellow jersey at the opening time trial in Copenhagen.
Key stages
Stage 5: Lille Métropole to Arenberg Porte Du Hainaut (157km)
Wednesday 6 July, 9:30pm AEST
The stage crosses paths with the same region as Paris-Roubaix (aptly nicknamed the “Hell of the North”) and features 11 sectors of pavé (cobbles) for a total of 19 kilometres, that are sure to create some fireworks!
Stage 11: Albertville to Col Du Granon Serre Chevalier (152km)
Wednesday 13 July, 8:30pm AEST
Stage 11 includes four categorized climbs in a relatively short stage and features both the highest point of this year’s Tour on the Col du Galibier (2,642m) and a summit finish on the Col Du Granon (2,413m).
Stage 12: Briançon to Alpe D'huez (165.5km)
Thursday 14 July, 9:00pm AEST
The climbing continues in Stage 12 with three HC category climbs. Be sure to stick around for the summit finish on one of the races most famous climbs—Alpe D'huez—of the Tour de France which has 21 switchbacks and is always a coveted win for the climbers.
Stage 18: Lourdes to Hautacam (143.5km)
Thursday 21 July, 9:30pm AEST
Stage 18 is the final mountain stage and brings with it three big climbs including the highest Pyrenean summit in this year’s tour – Col d’Aubisque (16.4km at 7%). Not to mention the long descent that follows. The final climb to Hautacam (13.6km at 7.8%) is the last chance for any climbers hoping to gain time in the General Classification before the individual time trial.
Stage 20: Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour (40.7km) – Individual time-trial
Saturday 23 July, 9:00pm AEST
Similarly, to the last couple of years, the final time trial will be a deciding stage for this year’s tour. If the standings are close, there’s a chance for plenty of drama.
Glossary
The jerseys
Yellow jersey – overall leader
French translation: the maillot jaune, the yellow jersey is worn by the rider who is the General Classification (GC) leader, riding the race in the least amount of time.
Green jersey – points leader
The green jersey, or maillot vert, is worn by the rider that has accrued the most points during the race. Points are awarded based on the positions that riders finish each stage as well as their performance during intermediate sprints within stages.
Polka-dot jersey – King of the Mountains
Worn by the rider that has the had the best finishes and accumulated the most points in the mountain stages of the race. The more difficult the climb, the more points can be won.
Rider roles
Climber: A light rider who specialises in hilly or mountainous racing.
Sprinter: A powerful rider who can perform high-velocity burst finishes.
Time trialist: A strong endurance rider who excels at maintaining a high speed over a long period of time to win time trials and sometimes long-range attacks.
Road captain: An experienced rider in charge of executing the team strategy and ensuring each rider goes to the right place at the right time.
Protected rider: The rider who is favoured by the team for either the day’s stage or the overall. This is generally the team’s GC contender, but may be a climber on a mountain stage, or a sprinter on the flat days.
Domestique: A teammate who helps the protected rider, whether by sheltering them from the wind, physically buffering them from other riders or bringing more water from the team car.
Rider positioning
Peloton/bunch: The main group of racers.
Paceline: When riders arrange themselves in a single or double line to gain aerodynamic shelter from the rider in front of them. Riders will then rotate to the front of the line, breaking wind for their teammates.
Breakaway: When one or more riders escape from the peloton and rides ahead of the main bunch.
Chase: Riders or groups of riders who are trying to catch up with the break but are stuck between the break and the peloton.
Grupetto (Autobus):
The group of riders off the back of the peloton. During a mountain stage, this is usually the sprinters or heavier riders who can’t match the pace of the light climbers.
Courtesy of www.ef.com
French translations
ALLUMER LES PHARES: "Turning the lights on". Used to describe a rider suspected of taking doping substances before a stage, hence the strange flash in his eyes.
ALPE D'HUEZ: The most famous climb in the Tour, it has 21 switchbacks and is always a coveted win for climbers.
AVOIR LA FRITE: "Having the french fry". A classic expression used to describe a rider in great shape, capable of making big moves, and responding to others' attacks.
BAROUDEUR: "Fighter". A rider capable of launching long-range attacks and staying ahead of the chasing peloton.
BIDON: “drink bottle”.
CHAUDIERE: "Hot water heater". A doped rider.
DIRECTEUR SPORTIF: “Sports director”. Essentially meaning head coach, the DS takes care of team strategy on each stage and throughout the race.
DOMESTIQUE: "Servant". A rider dedicated to helping his team leader.
FLAMME ROUGE: "Red flame". The triangular red banner hanging over the road signaling the final kilometer of each stage.
GRAND TOUR: The term used to describe the three major three-week stage races: the Tour, the Giro d'Italia and the Spanish Vuelta.
LANTERNE ROUGE: "Red Lantern". The last rider in the overall standings.
MUSETTE: A small cloth bag with water and snacks that are handed out to riders while passing through ‘feed zones’.
PASSER PAR LA FENETRE: "Going through the window". This expression full of imagery describes a rider getting dropped and losing ground very quickly after a rival, or the peloton, accelerates.
PUNCHEUR: "Puncher". A rider who can open up a big gap quickly on hilly terrain.
SOIGNEUR: "Rider's aid". Someone in charge of taking care of a rider's every need: massage therapist, finish line care, etc.
SUCER LA ROUE: "Suck someone's wheel". Used to describe a rider refusing to go in front and break the wind for a rival, staying just behind instead and conserving his energy.
SUIVEUR: "Follower". The term used to describe journalists and other workers who follow the Tour.
Stay up-to-date
Catch the tour live and free to air on SBS or at https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/
Daily updates and great content can be found at cyclingtips.com.