It's getting closer to that time of year again, the only time of the year when it's totally acceptable to live stream sport on a screen during working hours - Le Tour de France. 

This year, the 106th Tour de France takes place from the 6th July to 28th July 2019. It is made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,460km - even longer than last years 3,351km! 

There will also be 5 stage finishes on mountain summits, apparently, some of the organisers have said it's going to be “the highest race ever”! I think we'd rather them than us...

Watch The 2018 Highlights Video

The TDF Explained

There are many rules in the Tour de France, (both written and unwritten - as we all know with cycling). Some teams will be aiming for the general classification Yellow Jersey, while others will be going for King Of The Mountain for example. But just in case you aren't aware of what each colour means, the riders will be competing for the following jerseys:

Yellow

The yellow jersey is worn by the leader of the general classification.

Green

The green jersey is worn by the leader of the points classification. Points are awarded for intermediate sprints and at the finish of each stage.

Red Polka Dot

The red polka dot jersey is worn by the best climber in general classification. Points are awarded at the top of every categorised climb.

White

The white jersey is worn by the best young rider under the age of 26 in the general classification.

2019 Predictions & Random Facts

Luke Joyce:

It’s a huge cliché, but this year is to be the most wide-open TDF we’ve seen in years, as Team Ineos/Sky don’t have a nailed on team leader. Geraint Thomas could either win it or abandon in the first week; such is the unpredictability of bike racing. My bet for a podium (in no particular order) is Jacob Fuglsang, Egan Bernal and Mikel Landa. I’m also really excited to see how Wout Van Aert does after winning TT and sprint stages at the Dauphine, which is pretty uncommon in modern cycling!

Stages 17-20 this year are either incredibly long or incredibly hilly, so it will be a brutal race for the sprinters to make it through to race on the Champs-Élysées on the final day; which is why I’m backing Peter Sagan for the Green Jersey given that’s he’s in great form after the Tour de Suisse. If he does so, it would be the 7th time he’s won the points competition and become the all-time record holder.

Interestingly, to celebrate 100 years of the Yellow Jersey’s existence, at the end of each stage the leader of the general classification will receive a unique jersey. With 21 different designs of historical landmarks and riders from the race printed onto the yellow jersey.

It all kicks off on the 6th July and I am hoping to have it on a screen in the office in the background whilst we all wear yellow, eat croissants and drink Lidl’s finest champagne!

The Bookies Favourites

Image: @velobar_plus

In Chris Froome's absence, that leaves two previous winners in this years lineup, his teammate Geraint Thomas and Vincenzo Nibali. Interestingly, when we looked back at last years favourites, Thomas was quite far down the list! As we said before, the race is as wide as ever this year!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal, Jakob Fuglsang

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Adam Yates, Richie Porte, Nairo Quintana

⭐⭐⭐ Thibaut Pinot, Mikel Landa, Steven Kruijswijk

⭐⭐ Romain Bardet, Enric Mas Nicolau, Rigoberto Uran

⭐ Wouter Poels, Vincenzo Nibali, Rohan Dennis, Dan Martin, Emanuel Buchmann, Alejandro Valverde, Fabio Aru

Where To Watch The Tour This Year

Wherever you are and whatever way you want to watch the tour this year (live, on-demand or on your tablet or computer at work), there are plenty of options for you to get your fix:

1. #ITV4Tour - If you’re in the UK, ITV4 is the main channel that will show live coverage of the stages during the day (including on their online player, if you’re watching it in work like us!) If you can’t commit to watching the full 3,460 kilometres, make sure you tune in for the last few km of each race, which will usually be around 4-5pm.
2. Eurosport. The Eurosport player gives you unlimited access to your cycling needs wherever you are in the world. It’s either £6.99 per month or £39.99 for a full year.
3. 3. Live updates on social media: If you’re not able to stream if you are out and about (or out riding your bike), then follow both Eurosport and GCN on social media.
   
   

*Coming Soon* Get Involved In Our Fantasy League Game!

Due to the popularity of the See.Sense TDF Fantasy league in previous years we will be setting up our League very soon! There will be prizes for the top 2 overall at the end of the Tour de France 2019.

• See.Sense ACE Set

• See.Sense ICON2 Set

Like us on Facebook to be one of the first to join our Fantasy League when it goes live.