Understanding the Tour de France 2024

The 2024 Tour de France begins on Saturday, 29 June, marking the 111th edition of cycling’s most prestigious race. This year, the race starts in Florence, Italy, the first Grand Départ in Italy. The route traverses Italy, San Marino, Monaco, and France, covering a total distance of 3,492 kilometres (2,170 miles). Unlike previous editions, the race will conclude in Nice, not Paris, due to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Tour de France is part of the UCI WorldTour and spans 21 stages over three weeks, ending on 21 July. This edition features significant elevation changes, with a total climbing gain of 52,230 metres. Jonas Vingegaard, the reigning champion from Denmark, will be looking to defend his title. Here we cover all you need to know in detail so that you can start planning your bets at Galera Bet.

Tour de France 2024 Route

The 2024 route is particularly challenging, featuring four summit finishes and passing through four major mountain ranges: the Apennines, the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, and the Alps. It includes two individual time trials and some gravel sectors, making it a diverse and demanding course.

The race begins with a hilly stage in Florence, Italy, and continues east before heading back west towards France. The first stage to Rimini is 206 kilometres long and hilly, setting the tone for the race. The second stage, from Cesenatico to Bologna, is another hilly 200-kilometre stretch. Stage three, a 229-kilometre flat route from Piacenza to Turin, provides a breather before the riders hit the mountains in stage four, which starts in Pinerolo, Italy, and ends in Valloire, France.

Stage five, from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas, is 177 kilometres and hilly, while stage six offers a flat 163-kilometre ride from Mâcon to Dijon. The first individual time trial (ITT) comes in stage seven, a 25-kilometre race from Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin.

Stage eight, from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, is a flat 176-kilometre stage. Stage nine, a 199-kilometre hilly and gravel stage around Troyes, promises excitement with its 14 sectors of white roads. After a rest day, the race resumes with stage ten, a flat 187-kilometre route from Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond.

The second week includes a mix of terrains. Stage 11 from Évaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran spans 211 kilometres through medium mountains. Stage 12 is a flat 204-kilometre ride from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, followed by stage 13, a 171-kilometre flat stage from Agen to Pau. The mountains return in stage 14, a 152-kilometre ride from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet.

Stage 15, from Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille, covers 198 kilometres of mountainous terrain. The riders will have a flat 187-kilometre stage from Gruissan to Nîmes in stage 16. Stage 17, a 178-kilometre mountain stage from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Superdévoluy, precedes the hilly 179-kilometre stage 18 from Gap to Barcelonnette.

The final stages promise high drama. Stage 19, a 145-kilometre mountain ride from Embrun to Isola 2000, is followed by stage 20, another mountainous 133-kilometre stage from Nice to Col de la Couillole. The race concludes with a 34-kilometre ITT from Monaco to Nice on stage 21.

Tour de France 2024 Teams

Twenty-two teams will compete in the 2024 Tour de France, including all 18 UCI WorldTour teams, the two best-ranked UCI ProTeams, and two additional teams invited by the organiser, ASO. Each team consists of eight riders, making for a competitive and diverse peloton.

Tour de France 2024 General Classification Riders

The general classification (GC) riders are the primary contenders for the yellow jersey. While the official line-up is yet to be confirmed, we expect reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard to defend his title. His main rival, Tadej Pogačar, will also be competing, aiming to reclaim the yellow jersey after two years.

Primož Roglič, now with Bora-Hansgrohe, is another strong contender, with a route that suits his strengths. Remco Evenepoel plans to make his Tour de France debut in 2024. After winning the Vuelta a España in 2022, he aims to prove himself in the Tour. Carlos Rodríguez, who performed well in 2023, is likely to lead Ineos Grenadiers.

Tour de France 2024 Sprinters

The sprinters will have their moments, although the tough course poses challenges. Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck, who won four stages and the green jersey in 2023, will look to defend his title. Mads Pederson of Trek-Segafredo, a versatile sprinter, is expected to shine on the harder sprint stages.

All eyes will be on Mark Cavendish, who postponed his retirement to break the Tour's stage win record. Currently tied with Eddy Merckx at 34 wins, Cavendish aims to secure his 35th win despite finding the 2024 course particularly tough.

Tour de France 2024 The Jerseys

The Tour de France features several prestigious jerseys. The yellow jersey (Maillot Jaune) is awarded to the overall leader. The green jersey goes to the points leader, typically a sprinter. The polka-dot jersey is for the best climber, and the white jersey is for the best young rider under 26.

Additionally, there's a combativity award for the most aggressive rider of each stage, who wears a red number the following day. At the end of the race, a 'Super Combativity' award is given to the most combative rider overall. The team classification is based on the times of the top three riders from each team, with the leading team wearing yellow numbers and helmets.

Along with the jersey prizes, there are plenty of bonus seconds up for grabs at the race. There are ten, six and four bonus seconds available at the end of each stage for the first three riders, as well as bonus sprints that are dotted throughout the race on key climbs to try and make the racing more entertaining for spectators.

There is also prize money up for grabs. For winning the 2023 edition of the race, Jonas Vingegaard collected €535,220 (£463,100), a sum which is customarily shared out among the team's riders and staff.

The 2024 Tour de France promises to be a thrilling and challenging race. We at Galera Bet will be closely following the action and offering plenty of betting opportunities throughout the event.