The Tour in numbers

The 2017 Tour de France in numbers

4

Stages that Mark Cavendish needs to tie with Eddy Merckx in number of Tour de France stage wins. The Cannibal, who has a joint record five Tour wins, is dismissive at the idea of the sprinter surpassing him.

17

Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie) will equal the record for most number of Tour participations, if selected. A Tour constant since 2001, he would tie with the retired Jens Voigt and Stuart O’Grady.

14

Million goodies distributed by the Tour’s race caravan. It passes just ahead of the race to keep the spectating masses entertained, doling out everything from ice cream to souvenir pens.

3516

Distance in kilometres of this year’s race. The last time the Tour began in Germany (Berlin, 1987) 4231km were covered, which remains the longest of the last 30 years. It’s still a long way short of 1926, the longest ever, which, over just 17 stages, amassed a staggering 5745km – 338km a day!

2642

Highest point (metres) of this year’s race, atop the Col du Galibier (stage 17). The first rider to the summit receives the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, named in honour of the creator of the Tour, who has a monument there. When the race doesn’t include the Galibier, it’s awarded at the highest point.

6

Most green jersey wins, held by German Erik Zabel. Peter Sagan will draw level if he wins another this year. Given he’s only 27 and won five on the bounce, he’s likely to end his career with a record that lasts decades.

10

Years that Christian Prudhomme has been race director. His 2007 debut was a baptism of fire, with a string of doping incidents, notably Michael Rasmussen’s sacking by his team while in yellow.

4

Countries visited in 2017: Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. It’s short of the record (7) in 1992, where the race gallivanted around Europe in celebration of the Maastricht Treaty, which created the EU.