The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What color does the Tour de France overall leader wear?
Possible answers:
- Vert
- Jaune
- Blanc
- Rouge
Explanation: The yellow jersey has existed since 1919, inspired by the color of the pages of the L'Auto newspaper which organized the race.
Question 2 : Which Belgian cyclist nicknamed "The Cannibal" holds the record for stage wins at the Tour?
Possible answers:
- Eddy Merckx
- Miguel Indurain
- Bernard Hinault
- Jacques Anquetil
Explanation: Eddy Merckx won 34 Tour de France stages and 5 overall victories. His nickname comes from his total domination.
Question 3 : Which legendary climb with 21 hairpin turns is nicknamed "the Dutch mountain"?
Possible answers:
- Col du Tourmalet
- Mont Ventoux
- Col du Galibier
- Alpe d'Huez
Explanation: Alpe d'Huez owes this nickname to the many victories by Dutch riders on its legendary slopes.
Question 4 : Which classification rewards the best sprinter at the Tour de France?
Possible answers:
- The points classification
- The general classification
- The young rider classification
- The mountain classification
Explanation: The green jersey is awarded to the points classification leader, favoring sprinters in bunch finishes.
Question 5 : On which famous Parisian avenue does the Tour de France traditionally finish?
Possible answers:
- Avenue Montaigne
- Avenue Foch
- Champs-Élysées
- Boulevard Haussmann
Explanation: The finish on the Champs-Élysées has been a tradition since 1975. Riders complete several laps of the circuit.
Question 6 : What is a stage called where riders start individually against the clock?
Possible answers:
- A prologue
- A time trial
- A classic race
- A line stage
Explanation: The time trial is an individual event where each rider starts alone and races against the clock.
Question 7 : Which jersey rewards the best climber at the Tour de France?
Possible answers:
- The yellow jersey
- The white jersey
- The green jersey
- The polka dot jersey
Explanation: The polka dot jersey is awarded to the mountains classification leader, based on points from categorized climbs.
Question 8 : Which French rider nicknamed "The Badger" won 5 Tours de France?
Possible answers:
- Bernard Hinault
- Laurent Fignon
- Jacques Anquetil
- Raymond Poulidor
Explanation: Bernard Hinault is the last Frenchman to win the Tour (1985). His fighting spirit earned him his nickname.
Question 9 : What is the main group of riders called during a cycling race?
Possible answers:
- The breakaway
- The peloton
- The gruppetto
- The caravan
Explanation: The peloton is the compact group of riders. Riding in the peloton can save up to 40% of energy.
Question 10 : In what year was the first Tour de France organized?
Possible answers:
- 1896
- 1903
- 1910
- 1920
Explanation: The first Tour de France took place in 1903, organized by Henri Desgrange for the L'Auto newspaper. Maurice Garin won it.
Question 11 : What is the Italian grand tour cycling race called?
Possible answers:
- The Vuelta
- Tirreno-Adriatico
- The Giro d'Italia
- Milan-San Remo
Explanation: The Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) is the second most prestigious grand tour after the Tour de France, created in 1909.
Question 12 : Which Provençal mountain nicknamed "the Giant of Provence" is famous for its lunar summit?
Possible answers:
- Col d'Izoard
- Col de la Madeleine
- Col du Galibier
- Mont Ventoux
Explanation: Mont Ventoux peaks at 1,912 m. Its barren summit and violent winds make it one of the most feared climbs.
Question 13 : Which young Slovenian rider won the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021?
Possible answers:
- Jonas Vingegaard
- Tadej Pogačar
- Egan Bernal
- Primož Roglič
Explanation: Tadej Pogačar created a surprise in 2020 by overturning the race during the final time trial.
Question 14 : What do you call a rider who sacrifices themselves to help their leader?
Possible answers:
- A breakaway rider
- A rouleur
- A domestique / team rider
- A climber
Explanation: The domestique (or teammate) protects their leader from the wind, brings them bottles, and helps them rejoin the peloton after a puncture.
Question 15 : What is the nickname for the last rider in the Tour de France overall standings?
Possible answers:
- The wagon
- The gruppetto
- The lanterne rouge
- The bus
Explanation: The lanterne rouge (red lantern) designates the last rider in the standings. This title is sometimes sought after as it guarantees media coverage.
