The Tour de France 2022 Explained

Jenna Bews | Jun 23, 2022

The Tour de France 2022 is set to begin on the 26th of June. The largest annual sporting event in the world, the 109th edition of the Tour will see 23 teams ride it out each day until a winner is crowned on the 18th of July. The cycling enthusiasts at our bike shop in NZ can’t wait to see the action unfold. Get all the information you need about the top contenders and the route below.

HOW THE TOUR DE FRANCE WORKS

For a quick recap, the Tour de France is a 21-stage race, with various stages occurring on different types of terrain. There are also time trials in the race where cyclists race against the clock. The overall winner of the Tour is the competitor who has completed all stages in the least amount of time, which is referred to as the general classification. Winners are also crowned for every single stage of the competition. The general classification leader wears a yellow jersey, which changes hands as the leaders change throughout the Tour. The cyclists work in teams. Each team has a leader who hopes to take out the title. The teammates support the leader so they can lead the group to victory.

THE TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE

The tour comprises 21 stages, along with 2 rest days. Let’s take a look at what to expect from the course this year.

Individual time-trial:

Stage 1: Copenhague – Copenhague | 13.2 km

This year, the individual time trail starts in Copenhague. Arguably one of the bussiest cycling routes in the world. The riders will head down the time trial start ramp and into the city on a circuit which will take them past the Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid. There are some technical sections which will challenge the riders and set the leaderboard for the next stage which starts in Roskilde.

There will be 21 stages:

6 flat stages
7 hilly stages
6 mountain stages with 5 summit finishes (La super Planche des Belles Filles, Col du Granon, Alpe d’Huez, Peyragudes, Hautacam)
2 individual time trial stages
2 rest days
1 transfer day

There are 9 new stages this year that will be featuring for the first time:

Copenhagen (start and finish of stage 1)
Roskilde (start of stage 2)
Nyborg (finish of stage 2)
Vejle (start of stage 3)
Sønderborg (finish of stage 3)
Aigle (start of stage 9)
Castelnau-Magnoac (start of stage 19)
Lacapelle-Marival (start of stage 20)
Rocamadour (finish of stage 20)

Flat Stages:

Hilly Stages:

Mountain Stages:

Stage 7: TOMBLAINE - LA SUPER PLANCHE DES BELLES FILLES | 176.5km
Stage 9: AIGLE - CHÂTEL LES PORTES DU SOLEIL | 193km
Stage 11: ALBERTVILLE - COL DU GRANON SERRE CHEVALIER | 152km
Stage 12: BRIANÇON - ALPE D'HUEZ | 165.5km
Stage 17: SAINT-GAUDENS - PEYRAGUDES | 130km
Stage 18: LOURDES - HAUTACAM | 143.5km

Get ready to see some stunning mountain landscapes on the route this year. With 6 mountain stages and 5 summit finishes, which are on La super Planche des Belles Filles, Col du Granon, Alpe d’Huez, Peyragudes and Hautacam.

The Big Finish:

Stage 21: PARIS LA DÉFENSE ARENA > PARIS CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES | 116km

The Champs-Elysées is the traditional finishing point for the final stage. This year is additionally exciting with the brand new addition of a Women's edition which kicks off just prior to the sprinting finale. The Women's Tour de France will be held on the final circuit near the heart or Paris.

HOW TO WATCH

The right to broadcast the Tour de France event in New Zealand goes to Sky Sports. There are also multiple live streaming options available online.

Get all the cycling gear you need from 99 Bikes

Whether you are a pro cyclist or you ride for the joy of it, 99 Bikes has all the bikes and bike accessories you need. Visit us in-store or browse our range online today.

Recover password

Create my account

The Tour de France 2022 Explained