This is the one everybody has been fearing: seven sections of ancient cobblestones (or pave) near the finish, totaling 13.2 kilometers. These roads are rarely featured in le Tour, and could be very decisive indeed. There may be gaps, big time splits, and (hopefully not!) crashes. There could be some big losers at the end of the day. We sure hope everyone is safe out there! Click for more stage background

The Tour de France finally enters France today, after the day's start in Spa, Belgium. From then on, the Tour is all France, all the time. 

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. Central European Time.

Stage Type: Road Race. Explain

Riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first at the end of the course. Members of teams together to work to give advantage to their fastest riders or to their rider best placed in the overall standings.

Stage Distance: 213 KM or 132.4 miles. How far is that?

213 km is the same as 132 miles. That's the same distance as South Bend to Indianapolis, Indiana. I've never ridden that route, but it sounds like a loooooong ride!

Estimated Length of Time:5:00 How long is that?

Today should be another five-hour ride for the racers. That's the time it would take to watch 2 1/2 Harry Potter movies, which sounds a lot more relaxing than bouncing across the cobblestones of France all day!

Terrain: flat.

Number of Climbs: One Cat 4 climb. What does "cat" mean?

"Cat" is short for "category." The climbs are rated according to how long and hard they are. They are ranked Category 1-4, with 4 being the "easiest" (I'm not sure they're so easy!) and 1 being the "hardest." But wait- there's even a harder one! Climbs that are rated "Hors Categorie" (above category) are longer and steeper than a Category 1. That sounds HARD!

Estimated Calories: 3500 How much would you have to eat?

No big hills today, but the riders will still burn a lot of calories through speed, concentration, and nervous energy. They'll eat a pretty big breakfast 3 hours before the start, lots of snacks throughout the race, and a nice dinner afterward to help their bodies recover. Dig in!

CLICK HERE for more 'Did You Know' articles.

Are you hungry?

By Mari Holden at Velo Betty

It's really important for the cyclists to eat and drink while they are on the bike. In a race like the Tour de France the riders can barely keep up with replacing the amount of calories that they burn. So, they have to make sure that they eat while they are riding. Normally they will carry some small bars and gels in their jersey pockets. But, they can go back to their team cars in the caravan to get more food and bottles. There are guys on the team who are designated to help the other riders, and they will make many trips to the car. Their job is really important because they are helping the other riders on the team. There are also areas called "feed zones" where each team has people waiting by the side of the road to hand their riders bottles. They normally hand the bottles to their riders in "musettes which are like cloth purses for food and bottle. That way each rider can get a couple bottles and some food all in one bag. The cyclists have to eat so much every day that they actually get tired of eating and have to work hard to get their calories. So, sometimes the teams add some of the riders favorites in their musette bags... Things like small sandwiches, and cookies are favorites...

 

CLICK HERE for more Girl Power articles