Tour de France, world's biggest annual sporting event, is an amazing race and breathtaking logistical feat
The Tour de France, which begins Saturday and runs through July 24, is not just the world's biggest bike race; it's also the largest annual sporting event on the planet. In addition to the 198 riders, there is a massive support staff as well as journalists, police officers, mechanics, chefs, and many more people who literally help put the show on the road.
A remarkable logistical operation, thousands of people move almost every day from one town to the next like a mini city on wheels.
The route for the 103rd edition takes riders in a counterclockwise direction around France, from the northwest coast, down to the Pyrenees, over to the Alps, and up to Paris. There are also forays into Andorra, Spain, and Switzerland.
Check out all the key numbers below.
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