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Tour de France: Vingegaard vs. Pogacar Is the Race to Watch

The 110th edition of cycling’s greatest race begins Saturday in Spain. Here’s a primer on the stars, the squads and the story lines.

By Kevin Draper

The Tour de France, cycling’s most famous race, and perhaps its greatest competitive challenge, kicks off its 110th edition on Saturday.

Over three weeks, the field will traverse about 2,115 miles. It will not be fun for most of the cyclists. This year’s entrants — 22 teams of eight riders each — will open the race in Bilbao, Spain, before heading north and east through France: over the Pyrenees and the Alps (not to mention the Massif Central, the Jura Mountains and the Vosges) before finishing on July 23, a Sunday, with the traditional ride on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

🤩 Here it is, the official route of the #TDF2023 ! 🤩 Voici le parcours officiel du #TDF2023 ! pic.twitter.com/QPwvs91Ar6 — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) October 27, 2022

Maybe you are a die-hard cycling fan. Maybe you’re just a casual viewer who likes those great helicopter shots of the French countryside. Maybe you got into the sport because of the newly released Netflix documentary on last year’s race, “Tour de France: Unchained.”

Whatever brought you to the race, here’s what to know before the peloton rolls out of the starting gate this weekend.

How can I watch?

In the United States, Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, will show each stage in full, usually starting somewhere between 6 and 8 a.m., Eastern time. NBC and USA Network will sometimes broadcast the last two hours of each stage, and then air encore presentations late at night. Full details of NBC’s broadcast plans are here .

How does the Tour work?

The Tour de France consists of 21 stages held over 23 days — there are two rest days — with all but one ranging from 70 to 130 miles. (There is also one much shorter stage, an individual time trial that serves as Stage 16.) The Tour champion is the cyclist with the fastest combined time across those 21 days, and he will be easy to spot: The race leader wears the iconic maillot jaune, or yellow jersey, in each day’s stage.

What makes cycling stage races interesting — and why they are sometimes referred to as chess on wheels — is that unlike running races, which are mostly individual time trials, cycling is a team affair that features competing strategies and tactics.

Many teams are structured around a single rider who they believe can win the race’s overall title, known as the general classification. On teams like these, the other seven team members act as domestiques, or helpers, who work to protect that rider from the wind and other dangers, ferry them supplies, assist them through punishing mountain stages and chase down threatening breakaways. Other teams have more than one race contender, and will decide during the Tour which one has the best chance of victory.

But there are plenty of other prizes to compete for, too, and at any given time there are five or more competitions going on at once: among them battles for the title of best sprinter, best climber and best young rider. Then there is the pride in winning even a single day’s stage, which for many cyclists can rank as a career highlight.

Who are the favorites this year?

There are two overwhelming favorites: Jonas Vingegaard, a Danish cyclist on Team Jumbo-Visma who won last year, and Tadej Pogacar, the Slovene cyclist on UAE Team Emirates who won in 2020 and 2021. The overarching story line of this year’s race, and the battle that dictates much of the strategy, will be based around the assumption that Vingegaard and Pogacar will duke it out all the way to Paris.

If they perform as expected, the third spot on the podium will be contested by riders who aren’t quite as strong, including Enric Mas of Spain, David Gaudu of France, Jai Hindley of Australia, Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and others.

But there are plenty of other interesting stories.

Wout van Aert of Belgium and the Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel are two of the most exciting cyclists in the world. Neither is a contender to win — the Tour de France favors riders who excel in the mountains, which they do not — but each has the ability to win multiple stages.

Walk me through the stages.

Traditionally, the competition for the yellow jersey does not really solidify until the second, or even the third, week of the tour, when those focused on the overall win bide their time and stay close to the leaders as they conserve energy for the mountain stages, where they can put some real distance between themselves and their biggest rivals.

This year’s route , however, is front-loaded with a trip through the Pyrenees, and its mountain stages are somewhat evenly spread out. That means there could be attacks to gain minutes almost immediately. The first stage, for instance, features 10,000 feet of climbing and a final, steep climb called the Côte de Pike. If a yellow jersey contender tries to ease into the Tour and his competitors do not, he could be trailing immediately.

Which stages could turn the race?

Stage 6, Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque:  The first big uphill finish of the Tour, with three big climbs to tackle.

Stage 9, St.-Léonard-de-Noblat to Puy de Dôme: A relatively flat four hours will be capped with an explosive 30-minute climb up a lava dome, with the riders basically going straight up for the final half of the ascent.

Stage 13, Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier:  Normally one would expect one of the Tour’s main contenders to win this long, tough climb up the Grand Colombier, but French riders always try to make a splash on Bastille Day.

Stage 17, St.-Gervais Mont Blanc to Courchevel: The final big day in the Alps, with more than 16,000 feet of climbing. It will be tough to dislodge whoever holds the yellow jersey at the end of this stage.

Does everyone finish?

Absolutely not. Injury, illness, fatigue and the cruel reality of time take a toll every year; 41 riders dropped out of last year’s Tour, two by Stage 5. Danger lurks around every turn as well, something riders will need no reminder of this year.

Expect to see tributes to Gino Mäder, the Bahrain-Victorious rider who died on June 16 after crashing on a descent at the Tour de Suisse . Bahrain-Victorious had planned to bring Mäder to the Tour. HIs death has sparked criticism of courses with downhill finishes, which incentivize riders to push past their limits in a final bid for time, and for the introduction of safety netting on some mountain descents . The most dangerous finish on this year’s Tour comes on Stage 14, which cyclists will complete with five miles of downhill riding into Morzine.

You mentioned a documentary?

Modeled on the Formula 1 auto racing series “ Drive to Survive ,” the Netflix documentary “Tour de France: Unchained” has brought a similar dramatic focus to cycling. Released this month, the eight-episode series is focused on last year’s Tour de France. Helped by inside access to most of the teams, the series explores the competition for the yellow jersey, tensions within squads, aging riders trying to hang on and what it means to be a French team at France’s most famous race.

One of the dominant story lines is the tension between Wout van Aert’s individual ambitions — he won three stages and finished second four times — and his duties as a member of Team Jumbo-Visma to help Jonas Vingegaard win the overall race. Van Aert is portrayed as an unhappy participant, but he has said he believes his story line was manufactured for drama. “It is quite disturbing that stories were placed in the documentary that weren’t there,” he said this month. “For me, the series is focused on commotion.”

Are There Any Americans to pay attention to?

Seven riders from the United States are expected to start the Tour, though none of them are team leaders or expected to compete for the overall victory.

Matteo Jorgenson, riding for Movistar, and Neilson Powless, who will ride for EF Education-EasyPost, will be active in breakaways and could be contenders for a stage win. Powless could also sneak into the top 10 overall, though he will be expected to support his team leader, Richard Carapaz.

Kevin Draper is an investigative reporter on the Sports desk, where he has written about workplace harassment and discrimination, sexual misconduct, doping, league investigations and high-profile court cases. More about Kevin Draper

A Beginner's Guide to the Tour de France

All you need to know about the biggest race in the world, from how the race works, and where you can watch all the action

Will Newton

Race news editor.

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The Tour de France is a bike race cut above all others

The biggest bike race on the planet, the Tour de France , is the pinnacle of the cycling calendar, but what is this race, why is it so famous and how on earth does one win it? If you’ve ever found yourself asking one of these questions then worry not, for this Newcomer’s Guide is going to help you decrypt and decipher this summer’s ‘Big Loop’ around France…

Ask somebody to name a bike race and nine times out of ten that person will reply, ‘the Tour de France’. Ask that same person to explain the Tour de France and you’ll be lucky to be given a coherent sentence devoid of ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’. You see, while the Tour may be one of, if not the most, watched sporting events in the world - with 3.5 billion viewers annually - it’s also one of the most confusing with a rule book almost as long as the route itself.

This confusing aspect of the Tour can be an obstacle to many, so to ease you in we’ve put together this handy guide explaining the basics behind the race - from what is the Tour de France, to how does one win it. Whether you’re a complete newcomer or perhaps an annual Tour watcher, there’ll be something in this guide for you and something that will finally give you an answer to - at least one of - your many questions about the race.

Velo Collection/Getty Images

The Tour is made up of 21 mini races called ‘stages’ - complete them all in the fastest cumulative time and you’ll be crowned the overall winner

What is the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is what’s known as a ‘stage race’, which is a collection of smaller races - or stages - ridden consecutively across a set period of time. In the case of the Tour, this time period encompasses three weeks, or 21 days (23 if we include the two rest days where there’s no racing). There are only two other stage races on the cycling calendar that last for three weeks and those are the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. Together with the Tour, these races are known as the ‘Grand Tours’.

As its name suggests, the Tour takes place in France - although this comes with some caveats. While the majority of the three-week race takes place within mainland France, some stages do occasionally pass through neighbouring countries, like Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium. The race is also known for hosting ‘Grand Départs’ - the term for the celebratory opening stages of the race - in foreign countries. For example, in 2023 the race began with three stages in the Basque Country, an autonomous community of Spain. The 2024 edition, on the other hand, will start with three stages in northern Italy taking in the cycling rich regions of Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy and Piemonte.

With the race taking place across France, and across some other European countries, terrain can wildly differ between stages. Some stages stick to the flatlands along the coasts, while others head deep into the mountains. Several stages may also take the form of a ‘time trial’, where riders compete to set the fastest time over a set course after a staggered start. This changing of terrain between stages, and also within stages, is what poses the main challenge to the riders and ultimately dictates who wins the Tour de France overall, but more on that later!

Why is the Tour de France so famous?

Velo Collection (TDW)/Getty Images.

The maillot jaune is the most iconic jersey in all of cycling

The Tour is the oldest of the three Grand Tours, with its debut edition taking place way back in 1903. It’s also the race which inspired the likes of the Giro and the Vuelta. At 120-years-old, it’s the oldest still-running stage race on the international calendar. There are one-day events which are older, but no professional, multi-day stage race is older than the Tour de France - one of its many claims to fame.

Born from a newspaper marketing scheme, devised by French journalist Henri Desgrange, the first Tour took place in an attempt to boost sales of L’Auto - a nationwide daily newspaper dedicated to sport. This inaugural race only featured six stages, but with each stage covering ~400km it quickly made its way around the perimeter of France. Due to the length of these stages and the comparatively poor technology of the time riders often had to race through the night.

Home favourite Maurice Garin, a man affectionately known as ‘The Little Chimney Sweep’, won this first ever Tour de France, writing his name into cycling’s history books in the process. The race was a sudden hit so Desgrange decided to bring it back the following year, and then the next one, and the one after that. Before long it soon became the go-to event for masochists across Europe to attend and shed blood, sweat and tears over. This blood, sweat and tears made for great stories back in the day and now, fantastic TV.

The race’s longevity and the fact that it has been the site of some of sport’s greatest stories aren’t the only factors which make the Tour so famous, however. In recent decades the race has become truly global with riders from all six of Earth’s major continents not just taking part, but winning too. This globalisation of the Tour has helped it to expand to all four corners of the globe and reach billions of people.

According to the Tour’s organisers, ASO, around 12 million people line up along the route every single year, cheering on their heroes from the roadside. This figure pales in comparison to the race’s total viewers though, which is estimated to be as high as 3.5 billion annually. This mind-boggling figure makes the Tour de France the most watched sporting event in the world, more so even than the World Cup (3.3 billion), Summer Olympics (2 billion), UEFA Champions League (380 million) and Super Bowl (96.4 million).

How does one win the Tour de France?

Velo Collection (TDW) /Getty Images

Egan Bernal on his way to winning the Tour de France in 2019

To put it simply, only one rider can win the Tour de France. This is the rider who, once all is said and done, has completed all of the stages in the lowest cumulative time. They’re declared the overall, or general classification (GC), winner and they get to stand on the top step of the podium in Paris at the end of the race, receiving all of the plaudits - and prize money.

But there’s never just one rider who leaves the Tour as a ‘winner’, and this is where things can get quite confusing. First of all, a ‘stage winner’ is crowned at the end of every stage - this is the rider who simply crosses the finish line first. Some riders win multiple stages throughout the three weeks but get nowhere close to winning the race overall, while the overall winner could go the entire three weeks without ever winning a stage. Are you still with us?

And then there are the different coloured jerseys, individual prizes and team prizes. These are handed out to riders at the end of every stage to denote the rider who’s currently leading each respective classification, but they’re not officially ‘won’ until the three weeks is up and the riders cross the finish line on the final stage. Let’s go through each of those in turn now, from the iconic yellow jersey to the lesser-known combativity prize.

Yellow Jersey - The famous maillot jaune , or yellow jersey, denotes the leader of the general classification. As explained above, this is the rider who has completed all of the stages in the lowest cumulative time. This is the biggest prize in the Tour and something that every rider dreams of wearing, although only a handful ever will.

Green Jersey - The maillot vert , or green jersey, denotes the leader of the points classification. Points are accumulated at each stage finish, with a rider being awarded a certain number of points based on their finishing position. The higher they finish, the more points they score.

Different stages have different weightings of points on offer at the finish, with flatter stages offering more and mountain stages less. Points can also be scored at ‘intermediate sprints’ which are placed within a stage, usually around the midway point. In the Tour there’s one intermediate sprint per road stage (so not during time trials).

Polka-Dot Jersey - The maillot à pois , or polka-dot jersey, denotes the leader of the King of the Mountains classification. Like the green jersey, this is a points-based classification where riders score points for being one of the first few over the tops of hills/mountains. Only categorised hills/mountains count towards this classification and the number of points awarded depends on this categorisation.

Hills/mountains are ranked based on their difficulty and assigned either Cat-4, Cat-3, Cat-2, Cat-1 or HC ( hors categorie ) status. Cat-4 climbs offer fewer points, because they’re the easiest, while HC climbs offer the most points, because they’re the toughest. The winner of this jersey can be someone who’s specifically targeting the classification, but it can also go to the overall Tour winner by virtue of them often being at the front of the race day in, day out.

White Jersey - The maillot blanc , or white jersey, denotes the leader of the Young Rider classification, which - like the yellow jersey - is a time-based classification. It’s restricted to riders that are under the age of 26 when the Tour begins. From those riders who are eligible, the one who has completed the stages in the lowest cumulative time wears the jersey.

Team Prize - This prize is awarded to the winner of the team classification, which assesses teams by adding the times of their three best-placed riders each day - in other words, their first three riders across the finish line on each stage. The team with the lowest accumulated time over the three weeks wins. Unlike the classifications explained above, no jersey is awarded to the leaders of this classification - instead members of the leading team wear a yellow number on their backs.

Combativity Prize - The prix de la combativité , or combativity prize, is awarded to the rider who most animates the day’s racing. This is a subjective classification and one that is decided by the race officials. The winner is given a red number to wear the following day, which is then passed onto the next combativity prize winner. A Super Combativity award is also handed out at the end of the three weeks and goes to the rider who has animated the entire race, rather than just a single stage.

Where can I watch the Tour de France?

Now you know what the Tour de France is all about you’re probably itching to start watching it. Fortunately, the 2023 edition is just around the corner with the opening stage set to take place on Saturday, July 1st. Following the Grand Départ in the Basque Country, Spain - which encompasses three stages this year - the race will head to France and take on stages in the perilous Pyrenees and infamous Alps before drawing to a close with a traditional final stage in Paris on Sunday, July 23rd.

We’ll be showing live coverage of every single stage, start-to-finish, in RaceTV on the GCN App. We’ll also have the daily Breakaway show for you to tune into before and after every stage, where our panel of talking heads discuss the upcoming day’s racing and break down the action afterwards. It’s going to be an incredible three weeks of action and a race that you won’t want to miss, so make sure you have an a ctive GCN+ subscription . There’ll also be a ton of additional stuff for you to get your teeth stuck into during the Tour on the GCN App. As well as live coverage of the race, we also have articles covering all of the action, stage-by-stage previews, daily polls and quizzes and much, much more. Scroll through our Home and Racing feeds now to start getting involved with all of that fantastic, additional content.

Tour de France

• Dates 1 Jul - 23 Jul
• Race Length 3,401 kms
• Race Category Elite Men

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Tour de Suisse stage 3 Live - Puncheurs take aim at explosive, hilly finale

Tour de france 2021: the essential race guide.

All you need to know, from the contenders to race and stage-by-stage analysis

The 2021 Tour de France is almost upon us with the Grand Départ set for June 26, and 21 mouth-watering stages to look forward to as the race takes in Brittany, two individual time trials, a double assault on Mont Ventoux and the customary finish on the Champs Élysées in Paris on July 18.

The 108th edition of the race will see defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) aim to defend his crown against Primoz Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and a host of other yellow jersey contenders over what is an intriguing and multi-layered route profile. 

After a mountain-heavy Tour de France in 2020, race organisers ASO have opted for a more traditional and classic affair this time around, with the race reverting to hosting two long individual time trials for the first time since 2013.

In fact, on the face of it, the profile and route of the 2021 edition of the Tour de France is somewhat of a throwback to a Jean-Marie Leblanc style of race – in that the route suits a strong time triallist and puts the pure climbers on the back foot almost immediately. However, there are deeper levels and dimensions to Christian Prudhomme’s opus. 

There are just three summit finishes in total, 58km of time trialling – a lot for a modern-day Tour – and eight stages for the sprinters. Prudhomme has also moved away from packing the route with a barrage of new climbs or prolonged periods in the Jura, Massif Central or Vosges mountain regions. 

That being said, Prudhomme has cleverly concocted a route that marries some of the most iconic of French cycling furniture – Mount Ventoux, Brittany, the Col de Port, Pau, and the Tourmalet – and blended those ingredients with several truly engaging aspects. 

There may only be three summit finishes, and many of the staple Alpine climbs are missing, but there are stages that could be defined just as much for their descents as the climbs they included, with ASO attempting to nullify the typically late mountain-top attacks by encouraging riders to go on the offensive even earlier.

Prudhomme may have built this Tour on traditional foundations, with two days in the Alps and five in the Pyrenees, but he has also taken risks too – something Leblanc rarely did. His 2021 route is peppered with stages that could easily be turned upside down by crosswinds and potential ambushes, especially around Narbonne, Nimes, and Carcassonne. The four days in Brittany – although a replacement for the Copenhagen Grand Départ – could see the race lead change almost daily, while the first time trial on stage 5 has enough road to create a pecking order and draw out the climbers ahead of the Alps.

Overall, this is a route that perhaps doesn’t ignite the immediate excitement or glamour that some of Prudhomme’s recent ventures have. Ventoux aside, there are no gimmicks, but this is still a highly engaging route and one that provides all the landscape the riders need to make compelling Tour de France.

The Tour de France contenders – Pogačar, Roglič and Ineos

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) comes into the race as the reigning champion so the young Slovenian starts his Tour defence under completely different circumstances to last year, when he was somewhat of an underdog. His smash and grab at La Planche des Belle Filles last summer was nothing short of astonishing but it’s fair to say that he benefitted from the fact that he and his team didn’t need to control any of the race. Instead, they wisely allowed Jumbo-Visma to wear themselves out, but this time around Pogačar will not be afforded such comforts and from the moment he arrives in Brest for the Grand Départ the entire race will be watching his every move. That said, Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates squad are far from average. In Marc Hirschi, David de la Cruz, Brandon McNulty, Davide Formolo, and Rafal Majka, the defending champion has the core of an excellent team. They aren’t the strongest team in the race but they don’t necessarily have to be. 

On paper, Pogačar’s main threat is the rider he crushed in the final time trial last year, Primoz Roglič . The Jumbo-Visma leader has spent the last few months secluded up at altitude, shunning the standard pre-Tour race programme for a tailor-made and extended period of training. He has not been seen at a race since Liège-Bastogne-Liège back in late April but the 31-year-old will no doubt bring his best condition to the race. There are reasonable questions over the current form of his team but while the Dutch outfit may not have the same sparkle they had last year, they are far from mediocre, with Sepp Kuss, Wout van Aert and Steven Kruijswijk providing worthy cover.

The strongest ensemble in this year’s race comes from Ineos Grenadiers who line up with 2018 winner Geraint Thomas , Richard Carapaz and Richie Porte among their cast. The British team, smarting from last year’s defeat, will be looking to win back-to-back Grand Tours after Egan Bernal’s Giro d’Italia success in May, and while they do not have a contender as lethal as Pogačar or Roglič, their collective muscle could be just as important. When the leading group are down to 10 riders in the mountains it’s possible that half of that contingent could be made up of Ineos riders and that's a level of dominance that cannot be ignored. Roglič and Pogačar cannot chase every move and while attacking might be the Slovenian pair’s best form of defense, they could just as easily become isolated.

For Ineos Grenadiers, the dilemma comes in the form of which leader to back. Thomas has the better Tour record, of that there’s no doubt, but he looked below his best at the Dauphiné while Carapaz dominated the Tour de Suisse. Porte is somewhat of a dark horse but the two time trials along the route probably edge Thomas ahead in the team pecking order.

Outside of the Ineos, UAE and Jumbo stables, there are a number of overall contenders with hopes of challenging for the podium. Marc Soler, Enric Mas , Miguel Angel Lopez and Alejandro Valverde are in line for protected spots at Movistar – although it’s surely Mas who leads the line after his fifth place last year. Julian Alaphilippe will shoulder Deceuninck QuickStep’s ambitions but will once again be forced to fend for himself in the mountains, while Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) looks to be back to his 2017 level when he finished on the podium.

There are three Australians – leaving Porte aside – with genuine top-ten hopes. Ben O’Connor has finished top ten in his last two weeklong WorldTour stage races and it’s little wonder that AG2R Citroën recently extended his contract. Lucas Hamilton has been given the responsibility of leading Team BikeExchange's GC bid with Simon Yates targeting stage wins, while Jack Haig was fifth in the recent Dauphiné and has an in-form Bahrain Victorious at his disposal.

Wilco Kelderman forms part of a very strong Bora-Hansgrohe squad that includes Emanuel Buchmann and Patrick Konrad , and Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) remains a threat even if his star has been waning for some time.

Along with Alaphilippe, the French have real hope via Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), who looks to be peaking on time this year after he faded in the second half of last year’s race, but it’s David Gaudu at Groupama-FDJ who instills the most belief from the home nation. With Thibaut Pinot still on the sidelines, Gaudu has the chance to stake his claim as a Tour de France contender in his own right. He was mightily impressive at the Vuelta last year, winning two stages and finishing eighth overall. This year the 24-year-old has been consistent and the next natural progression for him would be a top-five in Paris.

Israel Start Up-Nation arrives at the race with Michael Woods as their protected GC asset. That leaves four-time Tour winner Chris Froome to act in the unfamiliar role of road captain. 

Below those riders there are a number of talented outsiders worth watching, with Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana-Premier Tech), Esteban Chaves (Team BikeExchange), Michael Woods (Israel Start–Up Nation), Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers), Dan Martin (Israel Start–Up Nation) and Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) are all flying under the radar.

The Tour de France sprinters – Ewan, Démare, Merlier, Cavendish or Bennett?

With up to eight stages within this year’s race intended for the sprinters, there’s no hiding away from the fact that the fastest riders in the world will be hogging their fair share of headlines in this year’s race. The first dedicated sprint stage arrives on stage three and other than the block of stages in the Pyrenees, the rest of the flat days are liberally dotted throughout weeks 1, 2, and 3. 

There are question marks over the participation of Sam Bennett , who is still recovering from a knee injury, and while Deceuninck-QuickStep boss Patrick Lefevere publicly announced that he has no ‘plan B,’ that’s not strictly true. Mark Cavendish – a 30-time stage winner – is waiting in the wings and after his recent exploits in Belgium, he looks like the fiery, competitive rider of old. Michael Mørkøv needs someone to lead out after all, and if Bennett proves unable to prove his fitness in time, the veteran Manxman could prove the perfect tonic for Lefevere’s unease. 

The fastest rider in the race, however, is likely to be Caleb Ewan , who looks like a prime contender for the green jersey, let alone a stage win or two. The Australian has almost the entire Lotto Soudal team at his disposal and, after his double at the Giro d’Italia, looks well on course to add to his tally of five Tour stages. 

When it comes to the WorldTour, Arnaud Démare has been a pale imitation of the rider who dominated the Giro sprints last year but his flat-track bully performances in recent months suggest that the Groupama-FDJ rider is approaching something like his best form just in time. Tim Merlier looks like a rider to watch after his stunning start to the year, while his Alpecin-Fenix teammate and leader Mathieu van der Poel can no doubt play a part on any stage that isn’t in the mountains or a time trial. 

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) can sprint with the best riders but his disrupted run-in and operation to remove his appendix has left question marks over his condition. Even a Van Aert at 80 per cent is a threat but Peter Sagan – the seven-time Green jersey winner – remains the biggest threat for Bennett’s title defence if the Irishman does make it to Brest. Sagan won a stage in the Giro and the points competition and, despite Bora-Hansgrohe’s insistence on stacking a team with climbers, looks like the favourite for all but the flattest of stages. Sonny Colbrelli has never won a Grand Tour stage but was in blistering form at the recent Dauphiné, while Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix), Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), Mads Pedersen (Trek–Segafredo), Nacer Bouhanni (Arkéa-Samsic), Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange) and Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) are all worth a mention. 

The Tour de France Route – a stage by stage guide

All times local – CEST. All finish times according to the earliest predicted schedule. 

Stage 1 / Saturday June 26 / Brest - Landerneau, 197.8km / Times: 12:10 - 17:00

The 2021 Tour de France kicks off with what could be a thrilling stage between Brest and Landerneau. This is the first time since 2008 that the Tour has started in Brest but rather than opting for a prologue or short time trial ASO have decided to cram six climbs within the opening 197.8km of this year’s race. Although none of the ascents will worry the peloton too much, this has all the makings of a difficult day in the saddle with the pace likely to be relentless throughout. With no yellow jersey or pecking order established, tensions will run high, while the added complication from possible cross-winds will leave several overall contenders nervous.

Crashes, splits and tactical mistakes will all play a part but the gradient on the final climb does at least ease in the final 500 metres before the line. That said, many of the pure sprinters will have been distanced by that point and it should be a puncheur who comes out on top to take the stage and the first maillot jaune of this year’s race.

Stage 2 / Sunday June 27 / Perros-Gueirec - Mûr-de-Bretagne, 183.5km / Times: 13:10 - 17:30

Stage 2 of the Tour de France is a day of two halves. Unlike the opening day of racing, when the climbs were evenly spread out, stage 2 between Perros-Guirec and the top of the Mur-de-Bretagne has most of the six categorised climbs crammed into the second half of the stage, with two ascents of the Mur-de-Bretagne thrown in for good measure. That said, there’s relatively little in the way of flat roads between the start and the first climb at 72.8 kilometres.  

The finale is technical and we’re likely to see the same riders who contested stage 1 once again take centre stage. Assuming the peloton starts the final climb in one piece, the gaps between the overall contenders should be relatively small come the line but last time the race finished here, back in 2018, Daniel Martin attacked with around one kilometre to go and everyone of the top-three finishers in Paris lost time. Once again, this isn’t a day for the peloton to relax.

Stage 3 / Monday June 28 / Lorient - Pontivy, 182.9km / Times: 13:10 - 17:24

After two days that catered for the puncheurs the sprinters of this year’s Tour de France will be finally let off the leash. The stage departs Lorient, the hometown of former King of the Mountains winner Warren Barguil, but that’s where any attention directed towards the talismanic Frenchman ends, with the race hugging the coastline before heading inland, through the department of Morbihan, but before reaching the finish in Pontivy the peloton must climb the Côte de Cadoudal – known as the Breton Alpe d’Huez – and where stages have taken place in both 2008 and 2015. All the fine-tuning and training before the race will count for little in the heat of the finale and with such a huge prize up for grabs it may well come down to which sprinter, and his leadout, make the fewest mistakes.

Stage 4 / Tuesday June 29 / Redon - Fourgères, 150.4km / Times: 13:25 - 16:52

The Tour de France’s mini Tour of Brittany ends on stage 4 with another outing for the sprinters. At just 150.4 kilometres in length, this is shorter than the previous day and its part of ASO’s plan to increase the intensity within the race on days that might ordinarily set out as slow burners before igniting in a fierce sprint battle to the line. There are no categorised climbs to speak of between the start in Redon and the finish in Fougeres but this is a must-watch stage nonetheless. The entire stage takes place in the Ille-et-Vilaine region. The last time the race ended in Fougeres was in 2015 with Mark Cavendish taking the stage. It’s an identical finish this time around with the sprinters set to enjoy their second straight day of action before the stage 5 time trial. 

Stage 5 / Wednesday June 30 / Changé - Laval, 27.2km / Times: 12:15 - 16:50

The Tour de France leaves Brittany on stage 5 and shifts up a gear with the first of two time trials in this year’s race, and while the opening two stages may have provided brief glimpses of a fight for the yellow jersey the 27.2 kilometre test between Changé and Laval Espace Mayenne will cause major changes to the overall standings. This is the longest individual time trial the Tour de France has held in the opening week since the 2008 edition. That year a vast amount of time separated the top contenders with the top 20 riders spread out over approximately a minute and a half and, in a race that has so far been judged by seconds, the aftershocks from this stage could determine the pattern of racing for the next two weeks.

Stage 6 / Thursday July 1 / Tours - Chàteauroux, 160.6km / Times: 13:55 - 17:26

After the stage 5 time trial and a reshuffling at the top of the overall standings the attention turns back to the sprinters. However, while the stage profile looks tailor-made for the fastmen, with a limited amount of climbing on the menu, there is a threat of crosswinds and echelon action in this region if the winds pick up.

The 160.6 kilometre stage leaves Tours and heads east. For the first few hours of racing there should be very little to trouble the peloton as the race heads out of the cathedral city and ventures into picture-postcard châteaux and vineyard country. This should be a day for the sprinters, and Mark Cavendish won his first-ever Tour stage in the finish town of Châteauroux back in 2008.

Stage 7 / Friday July 2 / Vierzon - La Creusot, 249.1km / Times: 11:00 - 17:05

Stage 7 of the Tour de France is a day that should be finely balanced between a break succeeding or a reduced group of all-rounders deciding the day’s honours. The stage, which sees the race head east from Vierzon is the longest Tour stage in 21 years, totalling a whopping 249.1 kilometres.

This may not look like a day for the GC riders but this has potential ambush written all over it. The distance, coupled with the demanding second half will ensure only a small group contest the finish, and we could potentially see yet another change in race leadership.

Stage 8 / Saturday July 3 / Oyonnax - Le Grand Bornand, 150.8km / Times: 13:10 - 17:06

The hills on stage 7 were mere an appetizer for what’s in store on stage 8 of the Tour de France as the race heads into the Jura and Alpine mountain ranges for the first time this year. There may not be a summit finish in store for the peloton but with five categorised climbs, plus an uncategorised uphill start, this will be a rude awakening for the riders after a week of relatively flat racing broken up by the odd short, sharp ascent.

The stage culminates with the first category ascent of the Col de la Colombière and a finish at Le Grand-Bornand but before then the peloton will tackle some rugged terrain and obstacles in just 150.8 kilometres of racing. 

The addition of the Cote de Mont-Saxonnex, new compared to the 2018 version of this finale, just adds another level of difficulty to the stage. Back in 2009, when the race also climbed the Romme-Colombière combo several GC contenders, including Lance Armstrong, were dropped with Frank Schleck taking the honours.

Stage 9 / Sunday July 4 / Cluses - Tignes, 144.9km / Times: 13:00 - 17:30

Two years after a stage on the Tour de France to Tignes was washed away by flash floods ASO have made true on their promise of bringing the race back, and this should be another mountain blockbuster with five climbs peppered along the 144.9-kilometre route between Cluses and the ski station at Tignes.

After taking in some of the most stunning scenery of the race so far the riders begin the long descent down into Bourg-Saint-Maurice followed by the long steady climb of the Montée de Tignes. It’s 21 kilometres in length and starts off relatively steadily but as the road continues the climb the gradient really digs in around the point of the Les Brevières. This a brute of a climb and the gaps between the overall contenders could stretch into minutes, and while this isn’t a summit finish – with the road flattening out with 2 kilometres to go – it’s still the hardest stage of the Tour so far. 

Rest day 1 / Monday July 5

Stage 10 / Tuesday July 6 / Albertviille - Valence, 190.7km / Times: 13:05 - 17:23

  Following the first rest day in this year’s Tour de France the racing recommences with a 190.7km stage from Albertville to Valence. The race takes us away from the Alps and it’s a day for the sprinters but the threat of potential crosswinds and echelons in the final part of the stage makes this anything but an easy day in the saddle. Michael Matthews won a stage in these parts back in 2017, beating Edvald Boasson Hagen and John Degenkolb to the line in Romans sur Isère, on a day that was also hit by crosswinds. That day Chris Froome and Team Sky put Dan Martin and Alberto Contador to the sword and even though their time losses were manageable every second counts at this point.

However, assuming that the sprinters’ teams remain in contention this could be a hugely important day in the battle for the Green jersey with a flat run into Valence perfectly suited to a bunch gallop. Chepe González – who certainly wasn’t a sprinter – won from a breakaway in Valence all the way back in 1996.

Stage 11 / Wednesday July 7 / Sorgues - Malaucène, 198.9km / Times: 12:00 - 17:18

Stage 11 is all about the climbers with the race taking on the highly anticipated doubled ascent of Mont Ventoux. Before the riders get to the first ascent they leave Sorgues and take on two small fourth category climbs, the Cote de Fontaine-de-Vaucluse followed by the first category Col de la Liguière. The riders will then descend into Sault before beginning the first ascent of ‘the Giant of Provence’. The first time up takes the easiest of three possible routes to the top but it’s also the longest, with 24.3 kilometres of climbing facing the riders. The toughest gradient come into view around Chalet Reynard with the riders emerging from the tree-covered landscape and reaching the barren slopes that make Mont Ventoux so revered. At the summit the riders drop down into Malaucène for the first time via one of the fastest descents they’ll face in the entire race before taking a short uncategorised climb to Bédoin and then the final ascent of the Ventoux. At 15.7 kilometres long, and with an average 8.8 per cent, the road is simply relentlessly steep from the very start. At Chalet Reynard they hit the roads they climbed earlier before cresting the summit and taking on a second breakneck descent into Malaucène for the finish.

Stage 12 / Thursday July 8 / Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Nîmes, 159.4km / Times: 13:30 - 17:12

After the double ascent of Mont Ventoux on stage 11 the race returns to less testing terrain with a 159.4 kilometre stage from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Nîmes. As with stage 10, however, appearances can be deceptive and despite only one short climb positioned mid-way through the stage there’s another chance that echelons and crosswinds could play their part in proceedings. At Vallon Pont d’Arc the stage heads south and into the Gard department. The exposed roads at this point could be a key if the wind picks up before the peloton hits the third cat climb of the Côte du Belvédère de Tharaux. With less than 30 kilometres to go the road heads due south to Nîmes for the expected bunch sprint, where Alexander Kristoff and Caleb Ewan are both past winners. This could be either a relatively quiet day in the Tour or one of the most intense battles of the race so far.

Stage 13 / Friday July 9 / Nîmes - Carcassonne, 219.9km / Times: 12:05 - 17:15

After finishing in Nimes on stage 12, the riders still left in the Tour de France will leave the same city in the Occitanie region of southern France and head towards the historical city of Carcassonne. On paper this looks like a relatively straightforward transition stage as the race tip-toes towards the Pyrenees but the finer details of this 219.9 kilometre jaunt tell a different story. Once more the threat of crosswinds loom large and while there is only one fourth category climb between the start and Carcassonne the majority of route is rolling. It’s no coincidence that no stage has ever ended in a bunch sprint in Carcassonne with Magnus Cort Nielsen winning from the break last time the race reached the walls of the medieval citadel that dominate the hill-top town, back in 2018.

Stage 14 / Saturday July 10 / Carcassonne - Quillan, 183.7km / Times: 12:15 - 16:48

For a second day in a row the Tour de France departs from the previous day’s finish and stage 14 of the race heads out of Carcassonne for a 183.7 kilometre journey south to the small town of Quillan. On paper this looks like a nailed on day for the breakaway with five categorised climbs peppering the route all the way towards the 17 kilometre descent from the top of the last ascent into the finishing town. The most likely scenario will see the sprinters’ teams sit back after the last few days of hostilities while the GC riders opt for a calm day given what’s ahead of them in the coming days.

The stage could be decided by the final climb of the stage, the Col de Saint-Louis. The ascent is 4.7 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 7.4 per cent and will provide the perfect launch pad for the remnants of the break to attack each other before the final descent to the line.

Stage 15 / Sunday July 11 / Céret - Andorre-La-Vieille, 191.3km / Times: 12:20 - 17:28

Stage 15 from Ceret to Andorre-La-Vieille is one of the hardest in this year’s race. There are four categorised climbs along the 191.3 kilometre route but three of them are first category ascents, while the riders will reach the highest point in this year’s race, topping out at over 2,400 metres. What’s more the final climb of the day, the Col de Beixalis, has the potentially to blow the entire race apart. From the intermediate sprint at Olette the road continues to climb towards the summit of the Montee de Mont-Louis. A descent follows but there’s little valley road before the riders begin to climb the secondary Cole de Puymorens – a 5.8 kilometre climb with an average gradient of 4.7 per cent. That climb will bring the riders to just under 2,000 metres, and there’s only a short descent before the first category climb of the Port d’Envalira – with the Souvenir Henri Desgrange going to the first rider to reach the Tour’s highest point. The following descent brings the race deep into Andorra before the assault of the Col de Beixalis looms into view. At the summit the road plummets back towards the centre of Andorra with a steep and highly technical descent towards the line.

Rest day 2 / Monday July 12

Stage 16 / Tuesday July 13 / Pas de la Case - Saint-Gaudens, 169km / Times: 13:05 - 17:21

Stage 16 sees the race head back into France, and while the 169 kilometre jaunt from Pas de la Case to Saint-Gaudens is far from easy, the profile suggest that the win could be decided by a break. That said, racing after a rest-day can often throw up some surprises and if one of the riders in the top-ten is showing any signs of weakness or fatigue, expect no mercy from their rivals. After the Col de la Core the riders will descend into the valley before hitting the Col de Portet-d’Aspet. They then descend – passing the Fabio Casartelli memorial – before the last and shortest climb of the day, the Côte d’Aspret-Sarrat. It’s only 800 metres in length but there are certainly some difficult stretches and with the finish just a few kilometres away it should provide an excellent launchpad for any last minute attacks.

Stage 17 / Wednesday July 14 / Muret - Saint-Lary-Soulan Col du Portet, 178.4km / Times: 11:50 - 16:49

The Col du Portet, first introduced to the Tour de France in 2018, returns this year and comes at the end of a crucial day in the Pyrenees. Starting in Muret, the route heads southwest and the opening 115 kilometres or so are relatively flat until the peloton reach Bagnères-de-Luchon – exactly where the 2018 Tour stage started. From there the riders will on the first of three major ascents with the Col de Peyresourde first up. The riders will then make a breakneck descent into Loudenvielle before tackling the Col d’Avet. It’s shorter than the Peyresourde but with a gradient averaging 8 per cent it’s a severe test. Another fast but this time technical descent follows before the road kicks up for the final climb and the summit finish atop the Col du Portet. The 16-kilometre ascent suits the lightweight pure climbers perfectly with a tough opening section as the road climbs towards Espiaube. At that point the gradient briefly eases before the riders turn right, thus avoiding the road towards Pla d’Adet, and take on a relentless section of switchbacks. The gradient reaches over 10 per cent in the final kilometre and the time gaps here could be race defining.

Stage 18 / Thursday July 15 / Pau - Luz Ardiden, 129.7km / Times: 13:35 - 17:19

Stage 18, the final mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France is arguably one of the hardest days in the race, with two massive Pyrenean climbs – the Col du Tourmalet and a blockbuster finish at the top of Luz Ardiden. What’s more, the stage is just 129.7 kilometres in length, meaning that there will be little to no respite.

There are two small fourth category ascents in the first 54 kilometres of racing – the Côte de Notre-Dame de Pietat, and the Côte de Loucrup, before an intermediate sprint at Pouzac From there the race heads through Bagnères-de-Bigorre and gently rises south through Campan and Saint-Marie-de-Campan before the race really starts on the slopes of the Col du Tourmalet. There’s then a rapid descent through Barèges and into Luz-Saint-Sauveur before the race reaches the Pont du Napoleon bridge. The riders then start the second straight HC-category climb of the day to the summit of Luz Ardiden. The climb is 13.3 kilometres in length, and while the opening few hundred metres are relatively easy the climb ramps up drastically after the first kilometre.  

Stage 19 / Friday July 16 / Mourenx - Libourne, 207km / Times: 12:20 - 17:06

With the Pyrenees in the rearview the attention turns back to the sprinters on stage 19 with a 207 kilometre stage from Mourenx to Libourne. However it will be a tough day for the sprinters to control. The distance, coupled with the fact that peloton will be exhausted from five days in the mountains, will leave a number of teams somewhat unwilling to control a peloton for a long day in the saddle. This could also be the last chance for teams without a sprinter or a GC rider to potentially rescue their race and with a lumpy opening 50 kilometres a bunch sprint is far from a certainty. 

Stage 20 / Saturday July 17 / Libourne - Saint-Emilion, 30.8km / Times: 13:05 - 17:19

At 30.8 kilometre in length, the individual test between Libourne and Saint-Emilion is a flat affair with small rises and long drags that will perfectly suit the time trial specialists. 

This is the course for the power specialists and even the technical sections along the route should be no problem for them. Any concerns will be purely reserved for the climbers, who after three weeks of racing could see their advantages obliterated in a painfully short amount of time. 

Stage 21 / Sunday July 18 / Chatou - Paris Champs-Élysées, 108.4km / Times: 16:15 - 19:00

After three weeks of drama and excitement the Tour de France arrives in Paris for the final stage and a showdown between some of the best sprinters in the world on the Champs-Élysées. For the fourth year in a row the final stage of the race starts in Chatou, just west of the capital, but the route initially heads east for a brief while before doubling back on itself. At this point the pace will be relaxed with teams and riders soft-pedalling through the opening kilometres and using the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and reaching Paris to complete the Tour.

How to watch the 2021 Tour de France – live TV and streaming

Read on to find out how to watch the Tour de France   via live stream, no matter your location, with  ExpressVPN .

The 2021 Tour de France will be broadcast around Europe and Eurosport. A subscription to  Eurosport Player  costs £6.99 for a single month, £4.99 for a year-long monthly pass, or £39.99 for a 12-month pass.

GCN+  will also air the race in the UK and in  select other territories  around Europe. A year’s subscription to GCN+ now costs £39.99 / €39.99 / $49.99 after the end of a promotional price in February. 

ITV4  will also be showing the race in the UK, with full full live coverage and highlights available. In Wales,  S4C  will be airing the race.

The Tour de France will be available to view in the USA on  Peacock Premium . A seven-day free trial is available, while a subscription to Peacock Premium will set you back $4.99 (or $9.99 without ads) per month.

FloBikes  will air the Tour de France in Canada. An annual subscription will set you back $149.  SBS  will air the race in Australia.

Around Europe, broadcasters include  France TV  in France,  ARD  in Germany,  Sporza  and  RTBF  in Belgium,  Rai  in Italy, and  RTVE  in Spain

If you live outside a broadcast zone or are on holiday outside your country and find that the live streams to be geo-restricted, you can get around this by getting access to them by simulating being back in your home country via a 'virtual private network', or VPN, for your laptop, tablet or mobile.

Our sister site TechRadar tested hundreds of VPNs and recommends the number-one VPN currently available as Express VPN. With  ExpressVPN , you can watch on many devices at once including Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, PC, Mac, iPhone, Android phone, iPads, tablets, etc.

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Daniel Benson was the Editor in Chief at Cyclingnews.com between 2008 and 2022. Based in the UK, he joined the Cyclingnews team in 2008 as the site's first UK-based Managing Editor. In that time, he reported on over a dozen editions of the Tour de France, several World Championships, the Tour Down Under, Spring Classics, and the London 2012 Olympic Games. With the help of the excellent editorial team, he ran the coverage on Cyclingnews and has interviewed leading figures in the sport including UCI Presidents and Tour de France winners.

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How to Watch the Tour de France

The world’s greatest cyclists journey across France in the biggest race of the year and Peacock is the only place to see it all.

It’s time for cycling’s most anticipated event of the year. The Tour de France brings the best professional cyclists in the world together for a three-week cross-country race. The route is different every year, but the destination remains the same: A grand finish on Paris’ Champs-Elysées. No other competition is quite like it. Even if you don’t normally follow professional cycling, you’ll find yourself drawn in, captivated by the 21-day drama on display. If you want to see it all, there’s one place you need to be. 

What Is the Tour de France? 

The Tour de France is a massive bike race that takes cyclists on a three-week journey through France. With the exact route changing every year, this is a unique challenge unlike anything else on the cycling calendar. The race is broken up into stages, with each day covering a certain portion of the route. Each stage has its own winner, and the winner of the entire event is the person who has the fastest time of all 21 stages. Every stage matters. Even winning one, even if the rider doesn’t win the tournament, will boost that rider’s standing significantly. Only the absolute best, most competitive riders make it to the Tour de France, so tensions are high for the entire three-week race. 

This year’s event will take 176 riders through 3,404 km of road, hill, and mountain terrain. Multiple stages will force cyclists to climb for more than an hour straight. It’s a tough route that encourages athletes to take risks to get ahead. This year’s edition of the Tour de France is sure to be the most memorable yet. 

When Can I Watch Each Stage of the Tour de France 

If you want to see it all live, you’ll have to set an alarm. Each stage starts early in the morning for those of us in the U.S. Check out the schedule below. 

July 1 at 6:30a ET: Stage 1 – Bilbao  

July 2 at 6a ET: Stage 2 – Vitoria-Gasteiz to Saint Sébastien 

July 3 at 6:30a ET: Stage 3 – Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne 

July 4 at 6:30a ET: Stage 4 – Dax to Nogaro 

July 5 at 6:30a ET: Stage 5 – Pau to Laruns 

July 6 at 6:30a ET: Stage 6 – Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque 

July 7 at 7a ET: Stage 7 – Mont de Marsan to Bordeaux 

July 8 at 6a ET: Stage 8 – Libourne to Limoges 

July 9 at 7a ET: Stage 9 – Saint Léonard de Noblat to Puy de Dôme 

July 10: Rest Day – No Coverage 

July 11 at 6:30a ET: Stage 10 – Vulcania to Issoire 

July 12 at 6:30a ET: Stage 11 – Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins 

July 13 at 6:30a ET: Stage 12 – Roanne to Belleville en Beaujolais 

July 14 at 7a ET: Stage 13 – Châtillo sur Chalaronne to Grand Colombier 

July 15 at 6:30a ET: Stage 14 – Annemasse to Morzine le Portes du Soleil 

July 16 at 6:30a ET: Stage 15 – Les Gets les Portes du Soleil to Saint Gervais Mont Blanc 

July 17: Rest Day – No Coverage 

July 18 at 6:30a ET: Stage 16 – Passy to Combloux 

July 19 at 6a ET: Stage 17 – Saint Gervaise Mont Blanc to Courchevel 

July 20 at 6:30a ET: Stage 18 - Moûtiers to Bourg en Bresse 

July 21 at 7a ET: Stage 19 – Moirans en Montagne to Poligny 

July 22 at 7a ET: Stage 20 – Belfort to Le Markstein Fellering 

July 23 at 10a ET: Saint Quentin en Yvelines to Paris Champs Elysées 

Where can I watch the Tour de France? 

The Grand Départ will be LIVE on both NBC and Peacock. After that, most stages will be exclusive to Peacock, but some will also be broadcast on USA. If you want to see every stage, including the finale on the Champs Elysées in Paris, you’ll want to make sure you have Peacock. 

Stage 1: NBC and Peacock 

Stage 2: Exclusively on Peacock 

Stages 3-7: USA and Peacock 

Stages 8-21: Exclusively on Peacock 

Can I Watch a Stage Later if I Can’t Catch it Live? 

Yes! In addition to full live coverage, Peacock will have full replays available of every stage of the Tour de France. You’ll also be able to stream highlights, recaps, interviews, and much more. Every replay will be available after the conclusion of each stage so you never have to miss a moment. The Tour de France is the most dramatic race on the calendar, so Peacock is making sure you get to see it all. 

Which Cyclists Should I Look Out For? 

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard is definitely one to watch. He’s an absolute phenom and there’s absolutely a possibility of him repeating this year. He’s not the only favorite though. Tadej Pogacar, who won the Tour in 2020 and 2021, will likely fight for the top spot the whole way through. The battle between these two is one of the most-anticipated elements of this year’s race. 

Australian cyclists Ben O’Connor and Jai Hindley could also make some noise, as could France’s David Gaudu and Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz. They could even pose a threat to the top two favorites if things break their way. Cycling is a fickle and unpredictable sport, after all. There are also a few American cyclists worth paying attention to, particularly Matteo Jorgenson and Neilson Powless. Even if they don’t win the whole thing, or even podium, they have a definite shot at securing some stage wins. That alone is a career highlight for pro cyclists. 

There is no race quite like the Tour de France. It’s long, dramatic, and a true test of endurance. Emotions run high for the entire three weeks, making for the most thrilling race of the year. Get Peacock now to see it all. 

Watch the Tour de France on Peacock. 

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Demi Vollering Takes Camper Van to Explore 2024 Tour de France Femmes Route

Along with her boyfriend and dog, the reigning champion scouted the 2024 route, which includes three stages in the Netherlands and a challenging finish at Alpe d’Huez.

Reigning champion Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) decided to hit the road in a camper van to recon the entire course. Dutch outlet NOS reported that Vollering, her boyfriend, and her dog, Flo, started in Rotterdam—the city that will host the first three stages, including an individual time trial.

Vollering and her entourage then headed to Belgium to check out the finish of stage four in Liège before continuing south to the Alps and the final summit finish on the famous Alpe d’Huez.

The trio stayed at campgrounds along the way, and Vollering told NOS , “There is something about the tension of whether or not you have a hot shower at the campsite. I like the adventure.” She went on to say, “Washing in a nice, clean stream is also fine. It gives a lot of energy. Nothing to worry about. Back to basics. Pure life.”

It makes sense that Vollering would want to try her legs out on the route. This year’s race will be very different from last year’s. There are lots of long stages with epic climbs. Vollering said, “Stages five, six, seven, and eight have been explored. Very different than we have ever experienced. Long stages, many elevation meters. A tough finish to the Tour.”

This trip was Vollering’s first experience on Alpe d’Huez. She said, “It was steeper than I thought. We just got to know each other. You shouldn’t overestimate yourself because then you’ll bump into yourself.”

Vollering has seemed unstoppable so far this year. She didn’t just win the Vuelta a Burgos , she captured three of the race’s classifications and the final stage win. She also won the Vuelta España Femenina , and Itzulia Women , absolutely dominating in Spain this spring.

Vollering will skip the Giro d’Italia Donne this July and will instead have all eyes on the Olympics and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Luckily, many of those roads will look familiar after her camping trip adventure.

Micah Ling is a freelance writer who lives in the mountains of Colorado. She splits her free time between mountain biking and trail running.

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Nbc sports, peacock to remain exclusive u.s. home of tour de france.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 24: (L-R) Andrea Bagioli of Italy and Quick-Step - Alpha Vinyl Team and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck of Belgium and Team Alpecin-Fenix lead the peloton during the 109th Tour de France 2022, Stage 21 a 115,6km stage from Paris La Défense to Paris - Champs-Élysées / #TDF2022 / #WorldTour / on July 24, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

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NBC Sports, Peacock and the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) today announced a six-year extension for exclusive U.S. media rights for the Tour de France.

Beginning with the 111 th Tour de France in June 2024, Peacock will become the exclusive home of the Tour de France in the United States through 2029 with live start-to-finish coverage of every stage . Select stages will also simulcast live on NBC throughout the three-week event. Daily coverage on Peacock will include NBC Sports-produced pre- and post-race studio shows, full-stage replays, highlights, stage recaps, rider interviews, and more.

As part of its previous agreement, NBC Sports and Peacock will present full live coverage of 110th Tour de France this summer (July 1-23, 2023). NBC Sports’ full coverage schedule for the 2023 Tour de France will be announced in the coming months.

“We’re excited to reach this long-term agreement with A.S.O. to present the world’s most prestigious cycling event live on Peacock for years to come,” said Jon Miller, President, Acquisitions and Partnerships, NBC Sports. “With the Tour de France and our extensive cycling portfolio, we are proud to continue as the home of cycling in the United States, while continuing to bolster Peacock’s best-in-class slate of live sports programming.”

“We are delighted to be able to extend our long-term partnership with NBCUniversal, which promotes the Tour de France and all the major A.S.O. sporting events to the American public on a cross-platform basis, including women’s cycling such as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift that NBC Sports has supported since the first edition in July 2022. The combined coverage via Peacock, which will show the entire races from the beginning to the end, and network television, will ensure that everyone has access to the best of world cycling. Super fans won’t miss any of the twists and turns that cycling holds. NBC Sports will remain the home of cycling in the United States for another six years and in 2029 we will celebrate the 29th anniversary of a historic partnership that is proof of America’s sincere love for cycling and the Tour,” declared Yann Le Moenner, CEO of A.S.O.

As part of the agreement, NBC Sports will present many additional A.S.O. events throughout the year, including cycling events such as La Vuelta a España, which is the final Grand Tour event of the year following the Tour de France, La Vuelta Feminina by Carrefour.es, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the Spring Classics including the men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, the Ardennaises Classics (men and women) that are La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Criterium du Dauphine, and Paris Tours. Also included are the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, the world’s second-largest marathon, and the Dakar Rally , the world’s most challenging off-road endurance race.

Comcast/NBC Sports has served as the U.S. home of the Tour de France since 2001.

Netflix's Tour de France: Unchained - Gino Mäder's death hangs heavily over the second season

C ycling is supposed to be having its moment. Netflix and the Tour de France organisers hoped to drive a huge influx of new fans to pro cycling via the Tour de France: Unchained series. Can the second season push fans into the sport like Drive to Survive did for Formula 1?

Previewing the series before today's release, one major flaw stuck out that will probably prevent the series from tapping into the US market like Drive to Survive did: The biggest influx of new fans to F1 came from North America and it might be that Unchained: Tour de France is too French to have the same effect.

Netflix France was behind the show and it seems as if they formulated a script to appeal to the home base rather than to try to reach across the Atlantic. The show uses Steve Chainel and Orla Chennaoui as narrators, giving a nice balance between a pro commentator and ex-professional cycling. While Chainel has great insights, there are numerous established English-speaking former pro commentators who could have provided the same service without the subtitles.

Having to read subtitles isn't a big problem for most Americans, especially younger generations who watch TV with the closed captions on even if it's in their native language, but the way the subtitles jump between the bottom of the screen and the top and disappear amid light backgrounds was super frustrating and distracted from the content.

The season also spends more time on French riders than on other stories that are more appealing to Netflix's largest customer base in North America, and it spends too much time on a petty squabble between team managers Richard Plugge and Marc Madiot without really getting to the heart of the issue.

There were 22 teams in the 2023 Tour de France but if you watch Unchained, you wouldn't know it. Lidl-Trek are hardly mentioned and Mads Pedersen's win on stage 8 is skipped over in between episodes 3 and 4.

Even with a French production, the series overshadows Cofidis' first stage win in 15 years , framing Victor Lafay's stellar stage 2 victory as a massive failure for Wout van Aert. Movistar, DSM, Intermarché, Israel-Premier Tech, Jayco-AlUla, Arkéa-Samsic, Lotto Dstny, Uno-X and TotalEnergies hardly get a mention.

Yes, teams have to sign on to be in the series but how realistic a portrayal of the Tour de France is it if half of the peloton is completely ignored?

From the teams that are featured, there is plenty for even the most devoted cycling aficionados to enjoy, with pre-race interviews in riders' homes and other never-before-seen moments. The in-race visuals are stunning and the production reproduces the feeling of being on the Tour by amping up the contrast between the raucous noise of the crowds on the climbs and the silence on the descent.

The series does a great job of digging deep into topics like how Bahrain Victorious riders cope with the tragic death of Gino Mäder , AG2R La Mondiale's inner struggles after Ben O'Connor's GC ambitions evaporated, and Thibaut Pinot's search for glory in his final Tour.

However, the outline of the series is also somewhat disjointed as the producers backtrack to follow different storylines, and like the race itself, the thrilling battle between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard is over before the show's season, making the last couple of episodes a French-focussed denouement.

While there might not be as much broad appeal as the producers hoped, the seasoned cycling fan will find it hard to stop bingeing.

Episode 1: No Risk, No Reward

The series opens with in-home interviews with Julian Alaphilippe, Thibaut Pinot, and Tadej Pogačar, highlights Pogačar's crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and has one very poignant scene from AG2R's training camp where the team's trainer has to tell Ben O'Connor that his friend Mäder has died. Two weeks later, Mäder's teammates and friends have to start the Tour de France. Alaphilippe sums it up: "It makes you realise you're nothing on this earth - we're nothing, especially me on a bike".

The rest of the episode focuses on EF-EasyPost's GC hopes evaporating when Richard Carapaz crashes and ends with Lafay's stage win. Unfortunately, even though the American team were signed on to star in the series, most of their coverage ends along with Carapaz's abandon. 

It seems as if the producers started with who won and worked their way backwards to find the good stories rather than the other way around, and that's not how pro cycling works.

Episode 2: The Third Man

This episode focuses on Ben O'Connor's GC hopes, which started to evaporate on stage 4 and contrasts his fortune and his personality with compatriot Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), who took the yellow jersey on the same stage. O'Connor comes off as quite whiny, negative and a bit entitled compared with Hindley, which hardly seems fair. He gets a chance for his gracious side to show later on in the season, however.

This episode also features Pogačar's time loss on the stage and his comeback on the next stage.

Striking : this episode made me wonder what Grischa Niermann did to deserve such an unflattering camera angle.

Episode 3: No Mercy

Jasper Philipsen gets his well-deserved highlight, transforming from 'Jasper disaster' in season 1 to the best sprinter in the race. He even folds his clothes! We also get to see Mark Cavendish and Fabio Jakobsen's races get ruined by crashes.

The episode looks back on Van Aert's horrific 2019 Tour de France crash and zooms in on the massive scar on his hip during a massage.

Striking : There's something vaguely unsettling about how Alpecin-Deceuninck director Christoph Roodhooft is framed in shadows as if they're trying to portray him as a crime boss - telling Philipsen to push the other sprinters.

Surely he didn't mean it literally but Roodhooft's comment makes it seem like the ensuing incident where Philipsen boxed Van Aert in along the barriers as the road curved as planned.

Episode 4: For Gino

Bahrain Victorious feature heavily in this episode as the team fight to win a stage in memory of Mäder. Pello Bilbao and Matej Mohorič come away as the most human characters in the entire season, and neither can contain their emotions when talking about their fallen teammate but use their grief as motivation. 

Mohorič climbs out of his skin amid the dead silence on the Puy de Dôme but is passed by Michael Woods and misses the stage win. Then, Bilbao gets the win on stage 10 and the emotion comes pouring out in the post-stage interview.

It's too bad the show decided to interrupt this compelling life-and-death storyline to fold in more drama between O'Connor and his AG2R management as they switch GC focus to Felix Gall.

Striking : In context, Bilbao's interview is even more powerful than it was on the day, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house last July.

Episode 5: The Enemy Within

We get a rare look inside the headless Ineos Grenadiers team who are in their first Tour de France without a podium contender. No spoilers, but Tom Pidcock doesn't come off well as the team find Carlos Rodriguez to be the more dependable GC rider.

Striking : Tom Pidcock jokes he's going to attack over the top of the Joux Plane and descend to the win before stage 14 but it's Rodriguez who actually does it. Editing or fact?

Episode 6: Domination

The yellow jersey contenders finally come back into focus after four episodes of sideshows. Unfortunately, the 15 stages where the battle was excruciatingly tight ended up largely on the cutting room floor to make room for the crushing performance of Vingegaard in the stage 16 time trial, and the subsequent speculation about doping. Groupama-FDJ seem to be the main instigators of the trash talk as a foreshadowing.

Striking : The best part of the episode is the race director's car stalling out on the climb to Courchevel - the cameras provide a real feeling of frustration and panic - and Gall's reaction to his stage win. The worst was poor Pogačar's devastating collapse.

Episode 7: Kamikaze Mission

Soudal-Quickstep is the focus of this episode. With Fabio Jakobsen heading home due to his crash injuries, the team are facing their first Tour de France in decades without a stage win. Kasper Asgreen to the rescue! It's too bad Lotto Dstny weren't part of the series because Victor Campenaerts deserved to be featured after ensuring that the breakaway succeeded only for his teammate Pascal Eenkhoorn to get beaten.

The episode ends with more Mohorič - including some footage of him training in Slovenia and revealing how much analysis he does about every aspect of cycling. The episode brings together all of the previous ones when Mohorič, O'Connor and Asgreen end up in the three-man breakaway on stage 18 and Mohorič gets the team's third stage win .

Striking : What happened to Wout Poels' victory on stage 15? Was he not emotional enough?

Mohorič's post-stage interview - with him explaining how cycling is cruel because only one rider can win, and 'you almost feel like you've betrayed them because you beat them' - is stitched in beautifully with clips of Asgreen being frustrated.

This should be the first episode to show to any non-cycling fans who want to get into the sport.

Episode 8: The Last Dance

What should have been a wrap-up of a thrilling Tour de France descends into that previously mentioned petty squabble. The episode begins with Marc Madiot having to explain to his riders how Jumbo-Visma boss Richard Plugge has said the team aren't serious because they drink beer during the Tour.

It's classic deflection by Plugge, going on the attack to change the narrative over speculation that Vingegaard must be doping because of his huge winning margin. So, when Madiot refuses to just laugh it off, Plugge wins. The final episode is too much about whether or not Groupama-FDJ riders drink beer.

Thibaut Pinot's final chance at glory has some great in-race visuals of his supporters crowding the roadsides and then booing at Vingegaard. "Thanks for that, Richard," Niermann says as we can hear impacts on the of who-knows-what on the team car.

We get to see Pogačar out-sprint Vingegaard to win stage 20, and Meeus winning the final sprint stage but if the Netflix producers wanted to make this show memorable to non-cycling fans to get them interested in the sport, one has to question why they spent so much time on Groupama-FDJ's beer consumption.

In between Mäder's death and the final stage of the 2023 Tour de France, there are many moments not captured in this season of Unchained that could have made for a better series. However, the eight episodes are still must-see watching for a cycling fan.

Striking : After Jordi Meeus wins the final stage ahead of four-time stage winner Jasper Philipsen, Bora-Hansgrohe's DS Rolf Aldag actually says that Meeus "is the only sprinter to beat Philipsen in the whole Tour de France" - and the directors fail to correct that - Mads Pedersen beat him on stage 8.

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HBCU All-Stars Announce Its First International Tour To Paris With The All-Star Game's Alumni

Kyle t. mosley | jun 6, 2024.

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Travis Williams continues to break new ground for HBCU basketball. Ten HBCU All-Stars alumni will embark on introducing HBCUs to an international audience with the first-ever HBCU All-Stars International Tour to Paris, France. The excursion begins Wednesday, June 19, to June 26, as several of the nation’s top HBCU All-Stars will participate.  

“This is one of the most important and rare moments in history where we get a once in a lifetime opportunity and global platform during the Olympic year in Paris to represent our esteemed HBCUs, four premier Black College conferences, the Best in Black College Basketball, and the United States of America in a part of the world where HBCUs and the HBCU culture do not exist,” Travis L. Williams, Founder and CEO, HBCU All Stars LLC said.

Alums from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 HBCU All-Star Games in New Orleans, Houston, and Phoenix will be partake in the Quai 54 World Streetball Championship at the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Stadium. Celebrities and even NBA stars will travel overseas to enjoy the annual basketball tournament, which sold out in less than two hours.

“This is history in the making to host the first-ever HBCU All-Stars International Tour in Paris, one month before the 2024 Summer Olympics take place. The very deserving 10 players that have been selected from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 HBCU All-Star Games are playing professionally now in the NBA G-League, internationally overseas, and doing well in pursuing their goals, dreams, and aspirations of playing at the highest level in the NBA. They are truly excited to represent the HBCU All-Stars Basketball Movement, and the best in college basketball from our country’s most esteemed Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The legendary former HBCU coach Cy Alexander will serve as the Head Coach, bringing a wealth of valuable experience, knowledge, expertise, and respect.  

“Since October 2019, I have been working extremely hard through my sports marketing, events, and media company, HBCU All-Stars, LLC, to provide these amazing national and global opportunities for our proud and prestigious HBCUs, deserving student-athletes, and brilliant coaches across the country. This God-driven vision will provide exposure, access, recognition, and opportunities on a global platform in Paris against some of the top international teams competing in this event and in the friendly exhibition games. There were many outstanding players very deserving of this great honor and opportunity to play at the highest level and on the biggest international stage in Paris. 

“As always, I am just being obedient to this God-driven vision that was founded in 2019, and it has been a long journey and dream come true to get to this point in year three, especially after a very successful, sold-out HBCU All-Star Game in Phoenix during Final Four Weekend at Grand Canyon University.

We will continue honoring and celebrating the rich history, tradition, and contributions of HBCUs to the sport of college basketball. Now, we are taking the movement internationally to show the world that HBCUs have just as much talent, skills, knowledge, and abilities when provided with the same national and global spotlight. All we need is the same access, opportunities, exposure, and recognition,” said Williams.

With a mission to advocate, educate, expose, mentor, and invest in HBCU students, student-athletes, and coaches across the country, the event aims to showcase the “Best in Black College Basketball.” 

Launched by HBCU All-Stars LLC, a Black-owned sports marketing, events, and media company in Atlanta, the HBCU All-Star Game brings much-needed E.A.R. (Exposure, Access, Recognition) and O.R.R. (Opportunities, Resources, Results) while celebrating Black excellence, Black history, and Black cultural experiences at the highest level.

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at [email protected]. Follow me:

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Inside the daring raid which saw ‘thieves’ nick the Bannockburn saltire during France ’98 and take it on a footie tour

• Matt Bendoris , Chief Features Writer
• Published : 20:57, 11 Jun 2024
• Updated : 21:01, 11 Jun 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

THE last time Scotland kicked-off a major tournament Iain Emeron feared he was going to get his collar felt.

For Iain and his three fellow fans “borrowed” the giant saltire which flew over Bannockburn from the top of a 120ft high flagpole to take to the World Cup in France ’98.

And what started off like a good plan down the pub soon turned into a clandestine operation when the pals, later dubbed The Bannockburn Four, arrived at the site of the ancient battlefield under the cover of darkness for their audacious raid.

Iain, who launched the Famous Tartan Army Magazine in 2005, explains: “We were all so excited before the game we were just trying to think of something to do that would be an inspiration for the team.

“It started off as a pub joke and ended up being planned like a robbery. I had gone and did a recce beforehand then we went up at midnight.

“We also brought step ladders to get up the pole high enough to where the cables were attached.

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“All of us were really nervous, then once the metal cable had been loosened it started making this terrible racket as we lowered it, with the cable twanging off the pole.

“It seemed to be echoing throughout the whole of Stirling. We were all panicking just waiting for someone to call the cops .” Iain said they needed “nerves of steel” as they attached a replacement “flag” to the pole.

He says: “One of us had got an old pair of curtains from his mum’s attic. We wrote the words ‘Gone to France’ on it, just so the Bannockburn Centre knew it wasn’t stolen

“But we had to spend an age tying the curtains to the cable, then raising it up the pole again.

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“That was definitely the worst bit as again it made so much noise. That really did take nerves of steel.”

A day later the foursome were left in a sweat when their daring stunt hit the headlines, including the front page of The Scottish Sun, less than a week before our opening match kicked off at the Stade de France in Paris .

Married Iain, who lives in Stirling, added: “I was s****ing it and just kept waiting for a chap at the door.

“I was basically sweating all the way to France thinking we were going to get nabbed at any minute.”

News of the flag’s liberation travelled, with Tartan Army fans all desperate to grab a photo with it — including a future national boss.

Iain says: “The flag became really famous. Everywhere we went in France fans wanted to pose with the Bannockburn flag and sign it too.

“Walter Smith came up to us before the Brazil match and asked ‘Is that THE flag?.’ Everyone knew it was the Bannockburn flag.”

However, Iain and his gang of merry men still had to try to get into the stadium for the World Cup kick-off against Brazil — without tickets .

He says: “The currency was Francs back then so we put in about £30 worth each, wrapped it into a tight bundle so it looked like a lot more and basically thrust into it the hand of a steward as a bribe to let us in.

“A policeman then asked me what was in my sporran, but I just gave him a big hug, then ran past him into the stadium where we all scattered to the four winds. I ended up sitting with the Brazilian fans.”

Iain then unfurled the flag at halftime shortly after John Collins had scored the equaliser. He said: “It was nearly the perfect crime , until Tom Boyd’s own goal of course meant we lost 2-1.

“But on the way out a fan gave me his ticket, so I now actually have a ticket for the game I bribed my way into.”

However, the group were paranoid they would lose the famous flag as the Tartan Army made its way from Paris to Bordeaux then Saint-Étienne before crashing out of the tournament at the group stages again.

The 61-year-old says: “What with all the drinking , we became really worried that we would lose it. So a different person every night was left with the responsibility of basically wrapping themselves in this flag to go to sleep in it.

“Every morning we’d wake up but always found someone tucked up in it somewhere.”

Back home The National Trust for Scotland , which operates the Bannockburn Visitors Centre, knew good publicity when they saw it and embraced their flag being on its unauthorised travels.

Iain says: “We would send them postcards from the flag, saying ‘Having a great holiday , I’ve moved to Bordeaux now’. They actually used to have the postcards on display at the Bannockburn Centre so they really entered into the spirit of it all.”

The Bannockburn Four returned the saltire during another midnight raid along with another curtain “flag” with the word “merci”. Sadly after France 98, Scotland failed to qualify for another major tournament for another 23 years.

And it was during a particularly spirit-crushing defeat, when we were hammered 6-0 by Netherlands in the second leg of the Euro 2004 qualifier, that Iain decided to launch his magazine. He says: “That was the lowest of all lows especially since we’d beaten them 1-0 at Hampden in the first leg.

“But hours after that we were all in Amsterdam and the Tartan Army started to slowly lift the spirits by singing then they started jumping in the water and all that.

“So I decided I wanted to do a magazine that made the players equally as important as the Tartan Army, with half the mag about players past and present and the other half about the fans.”

WE quiz Iain quickfire on his footie favourites and forecast:

Favourite Scotland player of all time? Denis Law

Favourite current Scotland player? John McGinn

Favourite Scotland manager? Jock Stein.

Best Scotland memory? Opening game of France ‘98.

Worst Scotland memory? Losing 6-0 to The Netherlands in Euro 2004 qualifier.

Prediction for Germany match: 2-1 Scotland.

Prediction for the group: Runners-up and we go through to the next round for the first time ever.

On his travels as an editor he got to meet Pele in New York who signed his Scotland shirt and Maradona in Glasgow in 2008 when the legend managed Argentina. He says with a smile: “After meeting two of the greatest players who ever lived I can die a happy man.”

So will Iain and Co be taking the Bannockburn saltire on a holiday to Germany for the Euros ?

He says: “I’m afraid we’re all a lot older so there’s no way we could get up that flagpole now.

“And anyway, they’ve installed CCTV cameras at Bannockburn since our last stunt.”

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Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Visits Partners in Spain, United Kingdom, Greece, and France

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of engaging with several of our strategic partners and friends across Europe. It was a full European tour: two weeks in Spain, the United Kingdom, Greece and France. Throughout the trip, I had many opportunities to discuss our exciting upcoming missions and the incredible impact NASA Science has on the world. 

In Madrid, I met with the U.S. Ambassador to Spain to discuss how scientific discovery is a global endeavor and how the Science Mission Directorate empowers the scientific community worldwide. I also met with the Director of the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex to thank the team for their exceptional efforts in providing the vital communication link between Earth and our deep space explorers. The team is critical in supporting our NASA Science missions like Voyager, STEREO, New Horizons, Perseverance, James Webb, and Psyche just to name a few. They are also gearing up to support Europa Clipper which is launching  in October to study Jupiter’s icy moon for the first time.

Next, I toured the Leicester Space Park in the UK to discuss our ongoing collaborations with the University of Leicester and the United Kingdom Space Agency. In London, I presented at the Codex International Technology Leaders Network about our ongoing search for life in our solar system and beyond. I shared how our hunt for exoplanets and technosignurates are built upon the great legacy of telescopes like Keppler, Chandra, and Hubble. These telescopes, and the incredibly powerful James Webb Space Telescope, are laying the groundwork for the eventual launch of the Habitable Worlds Observatory, the first space telescope that would be designed to find life as we know it outside our solar system, while exploring broader secrets of the universe. It was a unique opportunity also talk about the intersections between the search for life and our own work here at home to understand our changing climate and accessible science. I also got the chance to explore the British Interplanetary Society’s extensive collection of space artifacts before taking off for Greece.

In Greece, I visited the sacred island of Delos - the birthplace of the mythical twin gods Apollo and Artemis - to participate in the Alpha Mission Delos Global Gathering. The mission of Alpha Mission Delos is to raise awareness around the climate crisis and calls to action people from all walks of life. What is incredibly special about Delos is that it is an open museum with history all around, and allowed us to see first-hand the effects climate change and rising sea levels have had on the ancient ruins that were once the cosmopolitan epicenter in the Mediterranean. I also witnessed archaeological sites that are now being re-buried so that they may be preserved for future generations to study. It reminded me of the need to preserve environments, here at home, but also as we go back to the Moon and on to Mars. The Artemis Accords, of which Greece is a signatory, will help us do just that.

Throughout my days at the Gathering, we discussed the intersections between science, art, and the humanities. I shared how the Artemis program gives us the unique opportunity to understand that humanity will not succeed in addressing the challenges we are faced with today unless we combine the wisdom of the past with the knowledge and possibilities of today. With the Apollo program, we went to the Moon as a single nation, but with Artemis, we go together. To tackle challenges like Artemis and the impacts of a changing climate, we know how important it is to engage audiences and stakeholders that are not just scientists and engineers, and make them feel part of the mission. I noted the importance of inclusive teams and inclusive science. Science is for everyone, and the whole-of-self approach is valuable for putting a mission into space, and using the data here on Earth, to understand our home and solar system and our place in it. We all have a unique role to play in humanity’s exploration of the cosmos and beyond. It was a powerful reminder that science and space truly connect us all. 

In France, it was a fitting to end my trip when I formally signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to expand NASA’s work on the ESA-led ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission launching in 2028. The Rosalind Franklin rover’s unique drilling capabilities and onboard samples laboratory have outstanding scientific value in humanity's search for evidence of past life on Mars. NASA supports the Rosalind Franklin mission to continue the strong partnership between the United States and Europe to explore the unknown in our solar system and beyond.

It was a whirlwind of a trip, but I learned so much about how we, together as countries, partners and friends, use the vantage point of space to achieve humanity’s journey in discovery about our home planet, our solar system neighborhood, and the unknown beyond to better understand our place in the cosmos from a scientific perspective. Together, let us remember to merge the experiences and talents from all walks of life and foster inclusion to conquer such an audacious goal.

Related Terms

• Science Mission Directorate

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