10 Things You Should Know about the Tour de France
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
10 Things You Should Know
about the Tour de France
https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/sports/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-
tour-de-france/
Going to the Tour de France for the first time this year? Or keen to impress others
with your knowledge of La Grande Boucle? Afraid of missing out on something
important? Read the best tips that you won’t hear on TV.
EXPECTATIONS VERSUS REALITY
When you watch the race on television, you have a perfect overview of how
it is unfolding, you can see who’s leading, you count the spacing, and you know
about every puncture and duel. Stuck in a crowd by the track somewhere in France,
however, you know nothing about the race. The situation has changed with
smartphones and high-speed internet, but honestly – who wants to be staring
Page 1 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
at their phone in a crowd of hyped-up spectators? On the other hand, besides
soaking up the inimitable atmosphere, you will witness things the TV can never
convey. For example, you will see how fascinatingly fast the leading cyclists are. That
hill on the route that you rode up sweating like crazy yesterday? You’ll see the cyclists
tackle it at the speed of a motorcycle. The energy they put into the race
is contagious. Only here will you understand that professional cyclists are
an explosive cocktail of self-flagellation, renunciation and euphoria.
FLAGS AND OTHER FAN APPAREL
Anyone who has been to the Tour de France knows that no matter how big a flag they
take to France, there will always be someone else right by with a bigger one. At the
beginning, the audience is split into hardcore fans, who wear special costumes that
they’ve been preparing for at least half a year, and civilian spectators who could
easily be mistaken for visitors to the Louvre. Yet as the day wears on, the difference
blurs. Everyone who comes along gets sucked in by the atmosphere and wants
to join the vortex of excitement. This is crowned by the caravan of advertising floats,
transforming the people along the official route into a thousand-headed cheering
audience of cyclist ultras.
TROPHIES
Who would not want to bring home a trophy from the Tour de France to display on the
mantelpiece? Well, we will sadly have to disappoint all eager collectors. A tossed
water bottle is a rarity, and even if one of the racers does drop one, you’d have
to be very lucky to get there first. Getting your hands on any other authentic
collectible is just wishful thinking. Don’t count on taking home a torn jersey, a wet
raincoat or a crooked wheel rim cast off by the roadside; nothing like that happens.
Fortunately, most of the audience’s thirst for such objects is slated by the caravan
Page 2 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
of floats passing through the route before the actual race.
CARAVAN
One survey confirmed that up to 39% of spectators look forward to the caravan
of floats more than the race. The caravan is as important to the Tour de France
as the Alpine passes. It passes the route of each stage a few hours before the
peloton. Sponsors fall over each other to see who can come up with a creatively
dressed-up car that will attract most spectators. The convoy is accompanied
by music and dancers and can easily be compared to Love Parade. Merchandise rains
on the spectators, leaving no one without a jersey, cap, key ring, stuffed toy,
chocolate, shopping bag, parade stick with the name of a favourite rider, bidon,
protein stick or other similar gifts.
POLICE
The presence of the French police is often infuriating. Regardless of whether you’re
driving or walking, the police will often block your way and not let you through.
Sometimes they close entire neighbourhoods without any evident reason. Worse,
it seems that the police refuse to accept the fact that languages other than French
are spoken in the world. But don’t judge them too harshly. As a beetle in the crowd,
you have no idea how tough it is to control dozens, or even hundreds of thousands
of spectators so that paramedics can make their way through whatever the situation
and no one poses a risk to the race itself. This would not be possible without the
police. You just have to accept it.
FOOD, DRINK AND BITS AND BOBS...
Page 3 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
You’re in France, so food paradise – like Eden just before the snake descended from
the tree and tempted Eve with the apple. Taking food with you, then, might sound like
a deadly sin... Wrong! In big cities this might not be a problem, but in small mountain
villages, the shops and restaurants are designed to accommodate a few hundred
locals, not hordes of thousands. On top of that, they’re strict about their opening
hours and on Sunday everything is closed. Anyone who wants to survive the hours
of waiting for the arrival of the peloton should pack as if they were on an expedition
to the South Pole. Experienced Tour de France fans know that, besides having the
itinerary on them, they also need large supplies of food, drinks, toiletries, a chair,
a blanket, a raincoat, a parasol...
THE WAIT
Consider yourself warned – you will wait for absolutely everything. You will wait in traffic
jams and just to get into the car park. You will slowly be moved along by the crowd
until you find somewhere to anchor yourselves by the road and wait for ages until
anything happens. The most spectacular places to watch the race, such as the Col
du Tourmalet pass and the Col du Galibier pass, the Mont Ventoux climb, and the
famous Mur de Bretagne “wall", will become impregnable fortresses during the races.
Even if the peloton does not pass until late afternoon, you must get there early
in the morning. You can forget about comfort, taking toddlers with you could lead
to a visit from the social, and the loo is au naturel in the nearby forest. On the other
hand, the atmosphere is thrilling. Even those who are here for the first time, and
perhaps dragged along with the family, often get swallowed up by it. People are
entranced, and although they come from different countries and often can’t
understand each other, they are always able to communicate, simply because they
want to. The Pyrenees, the doglegs leading to Alpe d’Huez, and the final straight
on the Champs-Élysées will captivate you.
CAMPER VANS
Page 4 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
Camper vans are just as much a symbol of the Tour de France as fans holding flags
and painting their faces in their national colours. Anyone who owns a camper van
is king. However, it is necessary to arrive well in advance of the itinerary.
An experienced traveller and his house on wheels will have to get to their spot three
or four days before the contestants to find a decent place to park. The time left
before the race is spent barbequing, downing cans of beer, opening wine bottles and
watching the race on a large-screen television positioned in front of the vehicle.
On the day of the race, they turn it round so that everyone who comes along can
watch as they surround the camper vans on all sides. As soon as the whizz of the
peloton is gone, they quickly toss the folding chairs into the camper van, pack up the
TV and grill, and hurry to the next destination, which is usually a stage that takes
place at least four more days in advance. Two hours after the race, you would hardly
know that thousands of people had been there just a short while ago.
CYCLISTS
The Tour de France is an extraordinary opportunity to try out what it is like to ride the
routes of the stages where the professionals battle it out. Even a couple of hours
before the expected peloton arrives you can jump on your bike and pedal away.
If you’re athletic, you’ll enjoy the same spectator reception during heavy climbs
as the big stars. Excited fans will act as if they had no idea you’re not Chris Froome
climbing on your bike.
BENEVOLENCE
The Tour de France is a massive national holiday in France. Suddenly, they turn
a blind eye – you can leave your car almost anywhere, and if the camps are full, locals
will even look the other way if you decide to camp at the roundabout or on their front
lawn. Some might even come to offer you a glass of their homemade wine.
Page 5 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
15 years of partnership between
the Tour de France and ŠKODA
This is carmaker ŠKODA’s 15th year as the general sponsor of the Tour
de France, the legendary annual cycling race. Besides laying on a large
fleet of cars, ŠKODA also designs the winners’ trophies. This year, the
designers have teamed up with Bohemian glassmakers to produce
60 cm tall trophies weighing in at 4 kg for the champions of the 105th Tour
de France. In the 2018 event, the racers have to surmount 3,351 extremely
tough kilometres over 21 stages.
ŠKODA cars at the Tour de France
ŠKODA, as an official partner, will supply 250 cars for the race. In addition to ŠKODA
OCTAVIAs, the fleet also includes the SUVs ŠKODA KAROQ and KODIAQ and the ŠKODA
SUPERB sedan. A ŠKODA service team will prep all the cars so that they are in perfect
condition before each stage.
one ŠKODA SUPERB in Corrida Red will be used as a mobile office for the
ready to assist any cyclist in trouble, with mechanics able to help in case
of a breakdown or provide a replacement bike or refreshments.
each team will have two cars following the peloton. The order of these vehicles
depends where the team’s leading cyclist is positioned in the field of racers.
race organisers’ vehicles used to transport VIP guests and journalists, giving them
a front-row seat to enjoy the atmosphere of the Tour de France.
Page 6 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
Media kit
10 Things You Should Know Download this
about the Tour de France
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Consider yourself warned – you will wait for absolutely
everything.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Who would not want to bring home a trophy from the
Tour de France to display on the mantelpiece?
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Going to the Tour de France for the first time this year?
Or keen to impress others with your knowledge of La
Grande Boucle? Afraid of missing out on something
important? Read the best tips that you won’t hear on…
Download this
Page 7 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
The caravan is as important to the Tour de France as
the Alpine passes.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
This would not be possible without the police. You just
have to accept it.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Experienced Tour de France fans know that, besides
having the itinerary on them, they also need large
supplies of food, drinks, toiletries, a chair, a blanket, a
raincoat, a parasol...
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Everyone who comes along gets sucked in by the
atmosphere and wants to join the vortex of excitement.
Download this
Page 8 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Besides soaking up the inimitable atmosphere, you will
witness things the TV can never convey. You will see
how fascinatingly fast the leading cyclists are.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
The Tour de France is an extraordinary opportunity to
try out what it is like to ride the routes of the stages
where the professionals battle it out.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
Camper vans are just as much a symbol of the Tour de
France as fans holding flags and painting their faces in
their national colours.
Download this
10 things you should know about the Tour
de France
The Tour de France is a massive national holiday in
France. Suddenly, they turn a blind eye.
Download this
Page 9 of 9
ŠKODA Storyboard FROM DETAILS TO STORY
skoda-storyboard.com
storyboard@skoda-auto.cz skoda-storyboard.com
You can also read
