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Here comes the Tour de France, the world's greatest bike race

Daniel McMahonJun 23, 2017, 00:34 IST

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 24: Chris Froome of Great Britain and Team Sky (yellow jersey) and the rest of the peloton cycle past The Arc de Triomphe during stage twenty one of the 2016 Le Tour de France, from Chantilly to Paris Champs-Elysees on July 24, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)Michael Steele/Getty Images

It's that time again, cycling fans. The three-week Tour de France is upon us.

The world's largest annual sporting event starts this year in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday, July 1, and finishes in Paris on Sunday, July 23.

After a couple of stages in Germany, La Grand Boucle makes stops in Belgium and Luxembourg before heading down into France.

Chris Froome is again the favorite, but Richie Porte, Nairo Quintana, and Alberto Contador, among others, could surprise.

Here are some fun numbers to whet your appetite. Vive le Tour!