A Beginner’s Guide to Tour de France 2022
The Tour de France is the most exciting road cycling race in the world, and if you haven’t followed along before, this year is a great time to start. The 109th Tour de France begins July 1st in Copenhagen Denmark, with a total distance of 3,328 km ending in Paris on July 24th. From the teams, to the route, to where you can watch it, here’s our beginner’s guide to the Tour de France.
Why is the Tour de France Starting in Denmark?
If you’re new to watching this year you might be asking yourself, “If this is the Tour de France, why are they beginning the race in Copenhagen?” Tour de France officials have a long history of sending the Tour abroad for the opening stages of races starting in 1954 when the race started in Amsterdam and a range of European cities have periodically hosted the start of the event since then.
Where to Watch
If you’re watching from the US, you can watch live coverage of the Tour de France on the USA Network, with the exception of stages 12 and 13 which will be tape-delayed. You can also stream all 21 stages live online on the Peacock app. For viewers in Canada, FloSports will provide a live streaming service.
Who We’re Rooting For
We’ve partnered with the AG2R Citroën Cycling Team to provide riders with premium performance eyewear. They are one of the longest continuously-running competitive cycling teams, boasting numerous stage victories and podium celebrations to their name, and we can’t wait to cheer for them at this year’s Tour de France.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Ben O’Connor, a skilled climber who won Stage 9 last year in his first year competing in the Tour, and ended up finishing fourth overall. He’ll likely receive strong support from teammate Oliver Naesen in the windier sections of the route in Denmark and along the coast while teammate Geoffrey Bouchard, making his own Tour de France debut this year, will be key during the mountain stages.
We’re also excited to watch Benoît Cosnefroy compete this year as he’s having what’s shaping up to be a great season and he could be a contender for a stage win.
What Gear They’re Wearing
While riders might speed by in a blur, we’ve got the inside line on what eyewear the team will be wearing. For their coverage and versatility, they’ll be wearing the Shift MAG, the Wildcat, and the Flywheel.
With nearly a month’s worth of races to watch culminating in the final laps on the Champs-Élysées on July 24, the Tour de France is one of the highlights of any cycling fan’s summer.
