Cyclists have been competing in this prestigious, multi-stage race since 1903. The route is changed every year but always includes a mix of terrains and elevations, mostly in France. Originally conceived as a promotion for a newspaper, the Tour is now a worldwide sporting event that draws billions of viewers each year, making it more popular than the Super Bowl. Here, competitors are biking alongside the summertime sunflowers of southern France that are in full bloom during the race. This scenic image is a foil to the grueling duration of the race, which covers more than 2,000 miles over a 23-day span. Although athletes are organized into teams, the individual who completes the strenuous course in the overall shortest amount of time wins and gets a cash prize often shared with teammates. This year’s race starts in Belgium and will pedal past the iconic sunflowers around stage 16 before coming to a stop in Paris.
Racers pushing past sunflowers in the 2018 Tour de France
Today in History
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It s Independence Day in Mexico
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National Park Week begins
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Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
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Women s History Month
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The migrating monarchs of Michoacán
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Keep shining
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Venice s grand regatta
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Mada in Saleh, Saudi Arabia
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The circular castle of Cornwall
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In praise of the old…the very old
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Celebrating the first day of spring
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Reflections of the night sky
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Here’s looking at you, teachers
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Martin Luther King Day
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Memorial Day
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Kochelsee in Bavaria
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Tom Turkey takes Manhattan
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Is this Minecraft headquarters?
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Longtailed widowbird at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa
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It s National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
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Angkor, Cambodia
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Invisible no longer
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A Flag Day tradition
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A dreamy start to the Year of the Pig
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The rainbow connection
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Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
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Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland
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A midsummer twilight s dream
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Happy Hobbit Day