Cyclists in the mountains in the Tour de France Grand Tour Cycling: From summits to sprints
After riding bikes in my school days, with a trusty CCM Targa 10-speed and its friction shifters being my last companion, I didn’t climb into the saddle again for nearly 45 years. Then, in 2019, I got back into cycling. First it was just a weight-loss tool, but I rediscovered my love of the freedom along the way. And, wow, have bikes changed since my school days! Indexed 22-speed and 24-speed shifters mean no more fiddling to get the derailleur in just the right spot. Plus, we now have hydraulic disc brakes, and the bikes are incredibly light.
Along with my renewed passion for riding, I’ve also discovered a fascination with the sport of cycling and follow European races as much as I can. The most famous of these are the Grand Tours, with the Tour de France being the undisputed king. But despite having some general knowledge, I didn’t truly understand them. How do you win? What’s the difference between a sprint and a time trial? If the riders win based on time, why are there points? And what do all those colored jerseys mean?
Grand Tour Cycling Primer
Let’s delve into each of these prestigious events and provide a primer for casual fans like myself. I am hoping this will help you enjoy them even more!
First off, what even are Grand Tours? Each Grand Tour spans over three weeks, covering thousands of kilometers and encompassing a variety of terrains – flat stages, challenging climbs, individual time trials, and grueling descents. Riders compete for the coveted yellow (Tour de France), pink (Giro d’Italia), and red (Vuelta a España) jerseys, signifying the overall winner.
These races are not just about individual prowess. They also showcase the strategic skills and teamwork of each team, as riders support their leaders and battle for stage victories and additional jerseys signifying best climber, sprinter, and young rider.
The Giro d’Italia (Starts May 4)
The Giro d’Italia is the first Grand Tour on the racing calendar, with the 2024 edition kicking off May 4 in Turin, and finishing on May 26 in Rome, encompassing over 3,300 kilometers and climbing nearly 43,000 meters. Along the way there will be 19 stages of hills, mountains (including passage through the alps), and flat terrain, with two more individual time trial stages thrown in for good measure for a total of 21. Riders will get a rest day after both Stage 9 and Stage 15.
Mpiz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During the race, as in other grand tour events, leaders in different categories sport different colored jerseys. The rider with the lowest cumulative time in the race gets to wear the Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa). As well, each stage of the race awards points to the winner, with other placements receiving lesser points. Some stages also have intermediate sprints, each awarding additional points. The leader in points gets to wear the red/purple Cyclamen Jersey (Maglia Ciclamino).
Mountain stages also award points to the winner, with lesser points awarded to those closely following. The rider with the most points in these mountain stages – the “King of the Mountains” – gets to wear the Blue Jersey (Maglia Azzurra). And finally, the White Jersey (Maglia Bianca) is awarded to the young rider (typically under 26 years old) with the best cumulative time.
The Tour de France (Starts June 29)
The second Grand Tour on the calendar is the Tour de France, the most prestigious of all cycling races. The 2024 edition kicks off on June 29 in Florence, Italy. This is not a typo – Grand Tours often start in other countries before moving on to their home nation. Additionally, this year the race will also pass through the microstate of San Marino. For the first time ever, due to the Summer Olympics being held in Paris, the race will finish on July 21 in Nice, not its usual destination.
Along the way, the Tour de France will cover nearly 3,500 kilometers over 21 stages with two rest days. Mountain stages will take place in the Apennines (Italy), the Italian and French Alps, the Massif Central, and the Pyrenees.
Like the Giro, the Tour de France also uses colored jerseys to indicate different category leaders. The rider with the lowest cumulative time (also known as general classification) in the race wears the Yellow Jersey, the most famous of all cycling jerseys. The Polka Dot Jersey corresponds to the Giro’s Blue Jersey and is awarded to the rider who leads the tour in mountain points.
The Green Jersey is essentially the same as the Giro’s Cyclamen Jersey, and is awarded to the rider who leads in overall points. And finally, the White Jersey (Maglia Bianca) is awarded to the young rider (typically under 26 years old) with the best cumulative time.
The Vuelta a España (Starts August 17)
The third Grand Tour, inspired by the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, was first held in 1935. However, due to the World War and the Spanish Civil War, it wasn’t held annually until 1955. Originally held in the spring, the Vuelta moved to later in the summer in 1995 to avoid competition with the Giro. The 2024 edition kicks off on August 17 in Lisbon (Lisboa), Portugal, and concludes on September 8 in Madrid, encompassing 21 stages with two rest days and covering over 3,200 kilometers.
Like the other two Grand Tours, the Vuelta utilizes multiple colored jerseys to signify various leaders. The Red Jersey goes to the rider with the lowest cumulative time (also known as general classification) in the race. The Polka Dot Jersey, as with the Tour de France, corresponds to the Giro’s Blue Jersey and is awarded to the rider who leads the tour in mountain points.
The Green Jersey, again, like with the Tour de France, corresponds to the Giro’s Cyclamen Jersey, and is awarded to the rider who leads in overall points. And finally, the White Jersey (Maglia Bianca) is awarded to the young rider (typically under 26 years old) with the best cumulative time.
From steep mountain passes to lightning-fast finishes, and with the ever-present threat of unpredictable weather, the Grand Tours offer a true test of a cyclist’s physical and mental fortitude. Whether you are cheering for your favorite rider, or simply marveling at the speed and power, the 2024 editions of the Grand Tours promise thrilling competition.
Peter, with over 20 years navigating the dynamic world of sports websites, brings not only experience but an insatiable passion for the games. An avid NHL and curling fan, his heart beats for all things sports, from the roar of the crowd to the quiet intensity of strategic plays. At Attiq, Peter strives to curate an attic of hidden stories, insightful analysis, and forgotten legends, inviting you to explore the depths of the sports world beyond the headlines. Click here for Peter's posts.
