Tour de France

The Tour de France, the world's most famous bicycle race, is a race around France consisting of approximately 20 stages over a similar number of days. The race is usually run over a distance of around 3000 kilometres. Although the majority of the race takes place in France, some stages usually take place in other countries as well. Along with the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, the Tour de France is one of cycling's Grand Tours, the three most significant stage races in Europe. However, although the Tour de France is well known around the world, the other Grand Tours are somewhat obscure outside of Europe.