Finding you the perfect camping holiday at : We went along to watch the race two years ago as it left the small town of Auray in Brittany at the beginning of a stage (or etape as its called in French) and we had a great day out.
Watch out for the following jerseys - they all have a meaning !
The YELLOW Jersey is awarded to the overall leader of the race.
The GREEN Jersey is the next most prestigious and is given to the leader of the sprint sections.
The red POLKA-DOT Jersey is awarded to the rider who earns most of the points on the mountainous sections of the race. The wearer of the jersey is known as the "King of the Mountains". Scotland's Robert Millar was King of the Mountains in 1984.
The WHITE Jersey is the newest of the jerseys and was introduced in 1975. It is given to the best young rider (i.e. under 25).
Then there was five time winner Miguel Indurain from Spain who won between 1991 and 1995
There were two recent major French winners, Jacques Anquetil, who won five time, in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964 and Bernard Hinault who won five times in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985
And there was 5 times winner Eddy Merckx from Belgium who won between 1969 to 1972 and in 1974.
Some possible British and Irish competitors who may be competing and who you can look out for are :
- Mark Cavendish, from the Isle of Man (I think he is in blue in the photograph above),
- Bradley Wiggins, the three time Olympic Champion,
- David Millar, a Scot who is one of only four British competitors to have worn the yellow jersey (the others were Tom Simpson, Sean Yates and Chris Boardman),
- Geraint Thomas, who has been an Olympic Team pursuit champion, and,
- Nicolas Roche, son of the Irish 1987 winner Stephen Roche
