Tour de France (Tdf)

Events – Tour De France – Epic Bicycle Race

The biggest single sports event in France, even in the word, is the prestigious  bicycle race named the “Tour De France“. There are very few people who will not have heard of the “Tour”, even in the remotest villages in the world. Considered as the most prestigious bicycle race in the world, the Tour has been raced since 1903, and was created by a car magazine to increase their sales. Over the years the Tour has become the prime bicycle race in the world, a must on every cyclist’s agenda.

The Tour is transmitted on TVs around the world. On average, between 40 and 50 million viewers see the race on TV in their country. But it’s not only on TV that you can see the Tour. The Tour typically attracts millions of spectators alongside the road; not for the three week event, but PER DAY. That’s over 21 days, covering some 3500 kilometres.

Millions of spectators amass alongside the road having arrived there in their cars, motorcycles, caravans or camping cars. You will find the largest concentration of spectators on the hill or mountain climbs where cycling speeds are lower and you can clearly see the professional cyclists. And that is because in sharp contrast with the TV coverage, if you are standing alongside the road, the cyclists pass you by at a high speed (for bicycles), so within a minute or so, the race is over for you.

So why are there so many people willing to stand alongside the road for at least 5 hours so they can see the cyclists for one minute??? The answer lies below in 112 photos I’ve taken during the 2015 Tour de France (I took much, much more, but these are a few as appetiser) . Mind you, what you are about to see is a very small sample of what you get to see in real life. Because during a typical Tour day, some 3,000 vehicles will drive on the road you are watching. So if you don’t know whether you want to attend a Tour in “live”, here is what you can expect.

NOTE: Normally, all my articles are associated to a city/town, but this is not possible with the Tour since it takes different routes every year.

For your information, the day the Tour arrived in our city (Le Havre), it was targeted to arrive late afternoon. I’ve added the critical times to the list below so you can get an idea about waiting times. Fortunately, we did not need to wait out in the hot street, but could see the whole race from our elevated garden.

13:15

First spectators arrive at the Tour de France
First spectators arrive at the Tour de France

The first spectators started arriving, many well equipped for the event. The people who follow the Tour every year will come equipped with camping chairs, umbrellas, drinks and food. People will also bring musical instruments and other devices to keep themselves occupied.

13:30

Police security at the Tour de France
Police security at the Tour de France

The first cops arrive on the scene. Literally every few hundred metres police were stationed to ensure the safety of the cyclists and of the spectators (and still most years there are accidents between cyclists and spectators). Most of the cops are on a rotation. After the race, they move to the next day’s race.

14:24

1st motorcycles carrying journalists arrive at the Tour de France
1st motorcycles carrying journalists arrive at the Tour de France

The first motorcycles carrying journalists arrive. They are often the broadcasters who are going to the finish line to wait for the race, or photographers staking out the best places for photos for when the race comes by.

But these journalists are not there for the main event, they are there to capture a pre-event, which you will see below around the 15:15 time mark.

Static souvenirs vans at the Tour de France
Static souvenirs vans at the Tour de France

Souvenir-selling vans start arriving at the permanent places, in contrast with vans who move around. This van is from the local region (Seine-Maritieme) handing out free banners and flags.

14:38

1st cyclists at the Tour de France
1st cyclists at the Tour de France

The first cyclists arrive!! But they are not professionals, nor do they have anything to do officially with the Tour. They are amateur or tourist cyclists who ride the Tour’s itinerary, but start 5 hours before the actual race. Because the roads on which the Tour will pass are closed for all car traffic at least 5 hours before the race. So these cyclists can cycle the whole Tour in safety without the risk of being run down by traffic.

Can you imagine going home and bragging that you “did” the Tour de France???

1st cyclists at the Tour de France
1st cyclists at the Tour de France

Several of these cyclist groups seem to be in organised tours. Cars bring their luggage to the starting point of the next day, allowing them to cycle lite.

14:46

Sponsor/VIP vans at the Tour de France
Sponsor/VIP vans at the Tour de France

The first cars and vans carrying the sponsors and their VIPs arrive on the scene. They are all heading for the VIP areas where they will be wined, dined and entertained until the cyclists arrive. There will be many of these coming through.

Commercial vans selling water at the Tour de France
Commercial vans selling water at the Tour de France

The first commercial vans arrive, selling (some giving away) items like water.

15:15

First Gendarme motorcycle police at the Tour de France
First Gendarme motorcycle police at the Tour de France

The first motorcycle Gendarmes arrive with strobe lights and sirens, heralding the arrival of “something”. There are about 50 of these motorcycle cops in the Tour, many belonging to the elite “Garde Republicaine” (the unit that escorts heads of state).

The cops have a leap-frogging system in place. One cop rides up to intersections or roundabouts, warning cyclists of imminent dangers, and when the last cyclist has passed they jump on their motorcycle and race to the front  and wait inline with the other cops for the next stop point. This allows them to guard danger areas over the length of the day’s race without having 100’s of motorcycle cops.

And the reason they (and the photographers) are there…

The "Junior" Tour de France
The “Junior” Tour de France

… because the “junior” Tour de France is arriving.

The "Junior" Tour de France
The “Junior” Tour de France

It’s a much smaller group of young cyclists (<18 years) who are preparing to move to a professional career of Tour de France cyclists but have not reached the right age.

National French TV channel at the Tour de France
National French TV channel at the Tour de France

The small cyclist group is followed by several vans, including the French national TV channel (A2 and A3 channels) van, who also happens to be one of the main sponsors.

Technical SUV at the Tour de France
Technical SUV at the Tour de France

One of several SUVs carrying technical and support staff.

Motorcycle gendarmes at the Tour de France
Motorcycle gendarmes at the Tour de France

We’ll be seeing more and more police officers, mostly on motorcycles, passing by.

Spectators at the Tour de France
Spectators at the Tour de France

More and more spectators start arriving, many still trying to get the best positions, but most are already gone to the early birds.

France Inter radio car at the Tour de France
France Inter radio car at the Tour de France

The first cars belonging to the radio stations start arriving. This is the France Inter radio station.

RTL radio station with the famous Laurent Jalabert cyclists at the Tour de France
RTL radio station with the famous Laurent Jalabert cyclists at the Tour de France

This is the RTL radio car, featuring Laurent Jalabert, a famous French cyclist, as presenter.

Souvenir selling van at the Tour de France
Souvenir selling van at the Tour de France

The first van selling souvenirs of the Tour de France. At the back of the van are the sales people selling t-shirts, hats, watches, all stamped with the Tour de France logo.

You’ll notice the sales folks are harnessed into the van. All people in the vans and upcoming trucks & rolling displays are fitted with an harness for safety reasons.

Sponsor/VIP transport at the Tour de France
Sponsor/VIP transport at the Tour de France

More and more sponsors and VIP transport arrive. Usually, at least once during the race, one of these cars will be transporting the President of France.

Souvenir sales at the Tour de France
Souvenir sales at the Tour de France

More and more souvenir-selling vans arrive. Their sales people get out and approach the public trying to convince them to buy their kits.

Souvenir sales at the Tour de France
Souvenir sales at the Tour de France

Notice the harness.

Harnessed staff in the souvenir sales vans at the Tour de France
Harnessed staff in the souvenir sales vans at the Tour de France

Here you can see the staff hooked into their harness in the back of the van.

16:22

The Garde Republicaine car of the Gendarmes at the Tour de France
The Garde Republicaine car of the Gendarmes at the Tour de France

The car belong to the Garde Republicaine arrives with flashing strobes and sirens, signalling that something is up.

Public Safety Car at the Tour de France
Public Safety Car at the Tour de France

Followed by the public safety car, with loudspeakers telling people to stay clear of the upcoming vehicles and to make sure their kids are safe.

And the reason for this, is the reason why most people are here…. for the publicity caravan. 47% of the spectators come for the publicity caravan, not for the race. And that is because they will be getting free gifts.

There are some 160 vehicles representing about 40 brands. 600 people in these special vehicles will be handing out 14 MILLION items to the public.

First vehicles on the publicity caravan at the Tour de France
First vehicles on the publicity caravan at the Tour de France

The first vehicles arrives (LCL bank). The whole procession will last 35 minutes and is 12 kilometres long.

And there are many vehicles, many very special ones. Here is a long list of some of them:

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Skoda are not only a main sponsor, they also supply all the official cars for the Tour; officials, stewards, race control, etc.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Police recruiting car

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Opticians.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Sweets, very popular with the kids, which is the reason parents were told to keep their kids in check, since many make a dash for these cars.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Old and young, all are claiming the freebees.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Frozen French fries and hamburgers

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Chickens.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Coffee capsules.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Washing powder.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Another public safety car, reminding people to stay safe.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Sausages.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Hotels

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Tires

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

 

Water based drinks

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Children charity

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Bic disposable pencils, pens, razors and mobile phones.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Madeleines, also very popular with the spectators.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Spectators running to pickup the thrown madeleines from the ground.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Supermarket

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Agriculture seeds.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Help at home agency

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Bread bakery

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Ice cream

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Glue

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Always very popular, receiving a lot of applause, the fire fighters (looking for volunteers).

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Mineral water

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Very popular when it’s hot.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Spraying cooling water on the overheated spectators.

Publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Publicity caravan at the Tour de France

Watches.

Cleaning after the publicity caravan at the Tour de France
Cleaning after the publicity caravan at the Tour de France

The end of the publicity caravan is marked with several cleaning trucks, making sure that there is no rubbish on the road for when the cyclists arrive.

17:06

RTL Live broadcast from the motorcycle at the Tour de France
RTL Live broadcast from the motorcycle at the Tour de France

The first live broadcasters arrive on their motorcycles. The pillion on the motorcycle is the radio (or TV) broadcaster, often interviewing key people while riding next to them on their motorcycle. No, not the cyclists, but team staff that are travelling in the support cars.

On a side note, the motorcyclists need a special permit to ride in the Tour, and it requires a mandatory training and exam every two years at the motorcycle police training academy. The reason for that is the motorcycles get very close to the cyclists, and every year, at least one motorcycle will hit a cyclist. If this is the case, no matter who is to blame, the motorcyclist has to leave the Tour and is never allowed back.

More safety SUVs at the Tour de France
More safety SUVs at the Tour de France

More and more safety and support vans and SUVs arrive.

Spectators at the Tour de France
Spectators at the Tour de France

The remaining spectators have mostly moved to the curve so they can get a better view of the cyclists.

Cyclist support cars at the Tour de France
Cyclist support cars at the Tour de France

The first support vehicles of the teams start arriving. These are usually the team logistics and other members.

Last souvenir selling vans on the Tour de France
Last souvenir selling vans on the Tour de France

The last vans selling Tour souvenirs arrives, but mostly sell nothing.

Pool photographers on the official motorcycle of the Tour de France
Pool photographers on the official motorcycle of the Tour de France

And then many motorcycles start arriving. This is a pool photographer (in other words, he will be sharing his photos with other publishers) on an official Tour motorcycle. Like Skoda is the official car of the Tour, Kawasaki is the official motorcycle of the Tour. In other words, all official motorcycles are Kawasaki.

Tour officials on the official motorcycle of the Tour de France
Tour officials on the official motorcycle of the Tour de France

Officials, usually stewards and marshals, on the official motorcycle of the Tour. They manoeuvre  through the cyclists making sure that the race rules are respected.

AP Photographer on the Tour de France
AP Photographer on the Tour de France

A press photographer from the AP (Associated Press) news agency on their own motorcycle.

Vintage fishing boat as spectator of the Tour de France
Vintage fishing boat as spectator of the Tour de France

Several boats have arrived to see the show unfold from the sea.

Live radio and TV broadcasting on the Tour de France
Live radio and TV broadcasting on the Tour de France

The first live broadcasters arrive on their motorcycles, working for radio or TV. This one is for two radio channels, France Info and France Inter.

Police security van before the main event of the Tour de France
Police security van before the main event of the Tour de France

We’re now getting close when the police security van arrives.

Water carrying motorcycle on the Tour de France
Water carrying motorcycle on the Tour de France

This (Kawasaki) motorcycle carries water for the cyclists. It’s for those cyclists who have not been able to get to their official team supplies, which often happens with breakaway cyclists.

And then you get the one sign that the race is very very close….

First TV helicopters on the Tour de France
First TV helicopters on the Tour de France

The first of five TV helicopters have arrived. The helicopters follow the race really close, so you know it’s about to happen.

Press photographers preceding the Tour de France
Press photographers preceding the Tour de France
Press photographers preceding the Tour de France
Press photographers preceding the Tour de France

Many motorcycles arrive with photographers sprinting to the finish line (which is close to where I was standing). I estimate about 20 of them.

Spare bicycles carrying cars on the Tour de France
Spare bicycles carrying cars on the Tour de France

The first cars carrying the team’s spare bicycles arrive.

Time displayer on their official motorcycle on the Tour de France
Time displayer on their official motorcycle on the Tour de France

This is the time displayer, who rides in front of the breakaway cyclists showing them the time they are ahead of the main group. They are also on the official motorcycle of the tour.

Medical assistance on an official motorcycle on the Tour de France
Medical assistance on an official motorcycle on the Tour de France

One of several medical assistance motorcycles riding alongside wounded cyclists.

Press photographers on the Tour de France
Press photographers on the Tour de France
Press photographers on the Tour de France
Press photographers on the Tour de France

Some 20 press motorcycles arrive in advance of the first cyclists. And then …..

17:43

The first, breakaway, cyclist of the Tour de France
The first, breakaway, cyclist of the Tour de France

The first cyclist arrives, a breakaway cyclists, but the main pack is 10 seconds behind….

The main pack of cyclists of the Tour de France
The main pack of cyclists of the Tour de France

… and the breakaway cyclist is gobbled up by the main pack.

The first, breakaway, cyclist of the Tour de France
The main pack of cyclists of the Tour de France

 

TV helicopter at the Tour de France
TV helicopter at the Tour de France

One of the 5 helicopters that follow and film the Tour.

Last stragglers of the Tour de France
Last stragglers of the Tour de France

The last remaining cyclists come in at a slower pace. Their work has been done and then can take it easy.

17:43 + 40 seconds

Team support cars on the Tour de France
Team support cars on the Tour de France

The team support vehicles who follow the cyclists starting arriving, about 30 of them.

Team support cars on the Tour de France
Team support cars on the Tour de France
Team support cars on the Tour de France
Team support cars on the Tour de France
Medical support car with doctor on the Tour de France
Medical support car with doctor on the Tour de France

This is the Tour’s doctor who always drives in a convertible since it’s used to patch up the cyclists who have hurt themselves, and they are patched up while cycling (so on the move).

17:47

And the final vehicle of the Tour is:

Sweeper bus of the Tour de France
Sweeper bus of the Tour de France

The sweeper bus, which picks up cyclists who have broken down.

And that ends the Tour de France. If you’re interested in following the Tour, you’ll need to head on out to the Tour’s official web site to see where they will be going, since it changes every year. The mountain portions (Alps and Pyrenees) are always the most popular and you’ll need to come very, very early to get a good spot. It’s better is to find a place somewhere along the 3 weeks where there are several tight curves but no mountains.

Scroll to Top