By Dave Campbell – The 112th edition of the Tour de France begins July 5 in Lille and concludes July 27 on the Champs-Élysées. The men’s finish this year will be unique and perhaps favor spring classics specialists over sprinters as it will visit Montmartre and ascend the highest point in Paris, Rue Lepic three times.
The Tour de France Femmes begins in Brittany on July 26 and runs through August 3 over nine stages and 1165 kilometers. The final two stages are in the Alps with the finish at the ski resort at Châtel et Portes du Soleil. As we eagerly anticipate these events, let’s test your knowledge of cycling’s greatest race!
Q1. An astounding twelve riders have won the Tour de France on their debut in the great race, the most recent being Tadej Pogačar in 2020. Can you name the other eleven? Hint: There were more riders in the early years of the race!
Q2. Isaac Del Toro recently became the first ever Mexican to wear the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia and recorded the best Mexican finish in the Italian Grand Tour by finishing second in Rome. He will surely make his Tour debut in the coming years and hope to make history there as well. What is the best Mexican finish in the Tour de France?
Q3. The women’s Tour, in its current incarnation (Tour de France Femmes), will be in only its fourth edition. Who has won the most stages so far?
Q4. Who has worn the yellow leader’s jersey for the most days in the Tour de France Femmes?
Q5. Many think the sprinters will not survive to the finish on the Champs-Élysées this year, but rather a lone attacker of small group will contest the finale. Looking back, when was the last time the final stage was not won in a sprint, and who was the attacking rider who won?
