The Tour de France is an exhibition of speed, strategy, and stamina in a bike race. With so much happening in each stage, the commentary can sound like a foreign language if you are a first-time viewer. You will hear terms like “breakaway”, “peloton”, “GC”, and “domestique” fly around, making an already exciting sport even more complex.
Understanding these key terms can completely transform your viewing experience. You shift to a zone where every move in the race suddenly has context and meaning. And if you are a betting enthusiast, knowing the terms is not just fun; it is power. It allows you to interpret race tactics and make smarter wagers on your favorites.
At NXTbets, we are all about helping you enjoy the sport and win your bets. Let’s dive into the pack and ride through the must-know terms and insights that will make you feel like you are part of the action!
Think about it – does it make sense to participate in something you don’t fully comprehend? Certainly not! Here is why you need to know the cycling terminology:
For Fans New to the Sport
If you are new to professional cycling, learning the terminology instantly makes watching races more enjoyable. Those confusing scenes in the Tour de France broadcast will instantly click into place. You’ll know why a breakaway group is struggling at the front, or why the peloton (main pack) is content to cruise for now.
Understanding the vocabulary helps you appreciate the tactics. When a commentator says a rider is “bridging to the break,” you’ll realize they are trying to join an escape group ahead. This deeper insight turns a bike race from seeming chaos into a thrilling chess match on wheels.
For Smart Betting Decisions
Knowledge is power in sports betting. If you grasp each rider’s role and the strategy behind moves like breakaways or lead-out trains, you can make much more informed bets. Bookmakers and sportsbooks factor in race contexts, and you should too. For instance, by knowing that a flat stage usually ends in a bunch sprint led by sprinters’ teams, you won’t waste money betting on a pure climber to win that day.
Core Cycling Terms Explained
Let’s break down four fundamental cycling terms that you’ll hear constantly during the Tour de France. Mastering these will give you a solid foundation for understanding race action and placing winning bets.
Breakaway
A breakaway is a small group of riders – or sometimes a lone rider – that sprints away from the main field (the peloton) to ride ahead of everyone else. Think of it as a bold escape attempt. Early in many Tour de France stages, you’ll often see a flurry of attacks as riders try to form a breakaway. These escapees work together (sharing the work of cutting through the wind) to build a time gap while the peloton decides whether to chase or let them stay away for a while.
Peloton
The peloton is the main pack of riders in a race – essentially the big group that contains most of the field. Riding in the peloton is all about efficiency: by cycling in a tight group, riders significantly reduce wind resistance (a phenomenon called drafting). This means a rider in the middle of the peloton uses much less energy than one out front in the wind.
General Classification (GC)
General Classification, often shortened to GC, refers to the overall time standings in a stage race like the Tour de France. It is the big picture every day – who is leading the race overall? The rider with the lowest total time since the start of the Tour wears the coveted Yellow Jersey and is called the GC leader. Winning the GC = winning the entire Tour de France. So when we talk about “GC riders” or “GC contenders,” we mean those cyclists aiming not for individual stage glory but for the best overall time after all 21 stages.
Domestique
A domestique is a rider whose primary job is to support their team leader, rather than to chase personal glory. The term comes from French, meaning “servant,” and that is essentially what they are, the unsung heroes serving the team’s needs. In a Tour de France squad of 8 riders, most are domestiques dedicated to one or two leaders (for GC, sprint, or climbing). You’ll rarely see a domestique on the podium, but if a teammate wins, you can bet the domestiques had a big hand in it.
Additional Essential Cycling Terms
Here are other key terms grouped by category to enrich your cycling vocabulary:
Climbing Terms
Mountains are often where the Tour de France is won or lost. Naturally, there is special terminology for the epic ascents the riders face.
Hors Categorie (HC)
Hors Categorie means “beyond category” in French, and it denotes the most fearsome climbs in cycling. An HC climb is so brutal, due to its length, steepness, and elevation, that it doesn’t even fit into the standard 1-4 categorization scale. These are the monster climbs that often become legendary Tour de France moments (think Alpe d’Huez or Mont Ventoux).
Category 1-4 Climbs
Aside from HC monsters, the Tour classifies climbs from Category 4 (the least difficult) up to Category 1 (extremely difficult). This ranking considers the climb’s length, steepness, and position in the stage. A Category 4 climb might be a short hill that just barely merits being noted, while a Category 1 could be a long, steep ascent that shatters the peloton. Category 1 climbs are just a notch below HC in difficulty. Points in the KOM competition are allotted based on a climb’s category: the tougher the climb, the more points at stake for the first riders over the top.
KOM (King of the Mountains)
KOM stands for King of the Mountains, which is a secondary contest in stage races for the best climber. Throughout the Tour, riders earn KOM points by being among the first over the top of categorized climbs (the harder the climb, the more points). The rider with the most points in this competition gets to wear the polka dot jersey (white with red polka dots) and is crowned the “King of the Mountains.”
This doesn’t always go to the Tour winner; it often goes to a climber who attacks a lot in the mountains, even if they aren’t in GC contention. For example, a rider who consistently joins mountain breakaways might rack up KOM points and secure the polka dot jersey, while a GC contender is more focused on overall time.
Sprinting & Finish Terms
Not every day is about the mountains; many Tour de France stages are flat or rolling, primed for high-speed finishes. Sprint stages have their own tactics and language:
Lead-out Train
A lead-out train is a strategy used by teams to deliver their sprinter to the finish in the best possible way. In the final kilometers of a sprint stage, you’ll often see one team mass at the front of the peloton with several riders lined up one after another, with their star sprinter tucked in fifth or sixth wheel.
Each teammate in the train will take a pull at an extremely high pace, then peel off when they tire, letting the next rider continue the acceleration. This keeps the speed super high, discouraging other sprinters from jumping too early and giving the team’s sprinter a clear path.
Bunch Sprint
A bunch sprint (or mass sprint) refers to a finish where a large group of riders (often the majority of the peloton) roar into the finish together. The stage winner is decided among them by pure sprinting speed.
Photo Finish
A photo finish is exactly what it sounds like: a finish so close that officials must rely on a finish-line photograph (usually a high-speed, high-resolution camera that takes images at the line) to determine the order of finishers. In cycling, photo finishes happen most often in sprints, when two riders throw their bikes at the line and cross almost at the same millisecond. If you see two riders lunge and it is not clear who got it, expect commentators to say, “It’s a photo finish!”
Time Gaps
In stage racing, time gaps refer to the differences in time between riders or groups on the road. You’ll hear things like “the breakaway has a 3-minute gap over the peloton” or “there is a 10-second gap between the first and second groups.” Gaps are crucial for the race narrative and especially for the GC battle.
Time Trial Terminology
Time trials (TTs) are unique stages in the Tour de France where riders race individually (or as a team) against the clock, not head-to-head on the road. They require a different set of skills and often different equipment.
Individual Time Trial (ITT)
An Individual Time Trial, or ITT, is a stage where riders start one by one at set intervals (usually 1-2 minutes apart) and ride a course alone, trying to set the fastest time. There is no peloton, no teammates to draft behind; it is nicknamed “the race of truth” because it is just the rider versus the clock (and their own limits).
In the Tour, ITTs are crucial for GC contenders, especially those who excel at them. A strong time trialist can gain a minute or more on a pure climber over a flat 30 km ITT, which can decide the overall Tour.
Team Time Trial (TTT)
A Team Time Trial is like an individual time trial, but with your entire team. In a TTT, usually the whole team of (for example) 8 riders starts together, and they work in unison to clock the fastest team time over the course. The team’s time is usually taken when a certain rider crosses the line, commonly the 4th or 5th rider (meaning not everyone needs to finish together; teams can drop a few riders if they can’t keep up).
Aero Bars
Time trials demand maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Aero bars are those funny-looking extension bars you’ll see on TT bikes (often coming out from the center of the handlebars) that allow the rider to adopt a super-tucked position. The rider rests their forearms on pads and brings their hands close together in front, minimizing wind drag.
In this position, a cyclist can slice through the air with much less resistance compared to the normal upright stance. Aero bars are part of a whole suite of aero equipment: time trial helmets (with teardrop shapes), skin-tight suits, aero bikes with deep-section wheels, etc. The goal is to gain every second possible.
Rolling Start
The term rolling start in cycling usually refers to how a stage begins, especially a road stage. Unlike a standing start (think of how foot races or track cycling start from a dead stop), most Tour de France road stages begin with a neutralized or controlled section where the riders are already moving at a modest pace before the racing officially starts. You might hear it called the départ fictif (fictional start), followed by the départ réel (real start).
What happens is the riders roll out of the town together behind the race director’s car, in a sort of parade. Then, at a certain point, often once they are out of town or after a few kilometers, the race director waves a flag from the car, signaling the official start of racing. At that moment, the peloton goes from leisurely rolling to full gas, and attacks for breakaways usually begin. This whole process is the rolling start of a stage. It’s done for safety (so riders don’t sprint from the gun on narrow village streets) and ceremony.
Race Strategy and Team Roles
Cycling is as much a team sport as it is individual. Understanding who is who in a team and some common tactical terms will help you decode why certain riders do what they do:
Team Leader
The team leader is the rider around whom a team is built in a given race or stage. This is the star or the protected rider who is aiming for the big result, be it the overall Tour de France win (GC leader), a stage victory, or a specific jersey. For example, on a team with a GC contender, that GC rider is the leader for the Tour. On a sprinter-focused team, the sprinter is the leader on flat stages.
GC Hopeful
A GC hopeful is a rider who isn’t necessarily a top favorite to win the Tour, but who has ambitions (and perhaps an outside shot) to place high in the General Classification. This term is used for riders who think they can maybe crack the top 10 or top 5, or if things go exceptionally well (or luck favors them), even sneak onto the podium. They have to be well-rounded riders (decent in climbs and time trials) and usually are the leaders of their respective teams, though perhaps on teams without the strongest support or on smaller wildcard teams.
Road Captain
A road captain is a seasoned, respected rider on a team who is essentially the field general during the race. While the team manager or directeur sportif (sporting director) sits in the team car and gives instructions via radio, the road captain is the one among the riders who helps implement strategy, make real-time decisions, and keep the team organized on the fly.
Think of them as the on-the-road coach. They are often (but not always) older riders with a lot of experience and a deep tactical understanding. A road captain might not be the strongest rider, but they have leadership skills.
Wild Card Team
In the Tour de France, not all teams are created equal. There are the top-tier WorldTour teams that automatically get invited, and then there are a few wild card teams (often professional continental teams) invited by the organizers to round out the field, usually from the host country or with ties to the event. A wild card team is typically one that doesn’t have the budget or star power of the big squads. They often don’t have a serious GC contender; just getting a stage win or a few days in a jersey would be a massive success for them.
Gear, Support & Logistics
A lot goes on behind the scenes (and within the race convoy) to keep the Tour de France moving. Here are some terms related to the equipment and support systems critical to the race (and sometimes mentioned in coverage):
Bidon
A bidon is simply the French word for a water bottle, and you’ll hear it used universally in cycling. “Bidon” sounds fancier, but it is your basic plastic bottle that riders use to stay hydrated (or fueled, if filled with an energy drink mix). Why does a bottle merit its own term? Well, bidons are a big part of race lore and logistics. You’ll often see riders toss empty bidons to the side of the road once they have drained them, cue the scramble of delighted fans snagging them as souvenirs.
San Wagon
The sag wagon is the not-so-glamorous nickname for the vehicle that follows at the very tail end of the race to pick up riders who can’t continue. It is often also called the broom wagon, because it “sweeps” the course of dropped-out riders. If a rider abandons the race due to a crash, illness, or sheer exhaustion, the sag wagon is their ride to the finish (and usually to the hotel or medical center). It is basically a little bus or van that trails behind the last cyclist on the road.
Team Car
Each team in the Tour has one or two team cars in the race convoy (usually two, numbered #1 and #2). These are essentially the mobile headquarters for the team during a stage. A typical team car is an SUV or wagon plastered with sponsor logos, carrying the directeur sportif (team director/coach) and sometimes another sport director or mechanic in the passenger seats.
Neutral Service
Neutral service is like the safety net for riders when their team car isn’t immediately available. The Tour (and other big races) provides neutral support vehicles, typically a car or motorcycle from a sponsor like Mavic (brightly colored, carrying spare wheels of various brands, and bikes). These neutral service crews are not affiliated with any team; they are there to help any rider in need. So if a rider has a mechanical but their team car is stuck minutes behind (perhaps because the peloton split and only certain cars can move up), a neutral service moto might zoom up and lend a quick hand, maybe a wheel change or even a spare bike if necessary.
Betting Edge: How Knowing Cycling Terms Helps Bettors
Understanding cycling terminology isn’t just about sounding smart; it can directly translate into a betting edge. When you know the roles, strategies, and nuances of how a Tour de France stage unfolds, you are better equipped to predict outcomes that casual bettors might overlook.
Here are a few advantages you’ll gain:
Identifying Specialist Riders
In cycling, not all riders are equal; they have specialties. Some are sprinters, lightning-fast on flat finishes; others are climbers who dance up the mountains; others are time trialists who excel alone against the clock. Understanding the different categories helps you avoid missteps like betting on the wrong type of rider for a given stage. For example, if you see a stage is flat and likely ending in a bunch sprint, you’ll focus your bets on the elite sprinters (and their lead-out trains) rather than a climber who has virtually zero chance that day.
Spotting Strategy in Stage Profiles
A stage’s profile (the map of its climbs, descents, and flats) is like a script for how the race could play out. When you pair that with terms and tactics you understand, you start seeing the strategy unfold before it even happens. For instance, imagine a stage profile with a series of moderate climbs and a flat finish. A newbie might think, “Maybe a climber wins since there are hills.” But an informed fan knows: moderate climbs early often encourage a breakaway, yet the flat finish means sprinter teams can come back into play if they haven’t lost their fast man on the climbs. You could anticipate a scenario where a breakaway tries its luck, but the peloton (likely with domestiques from sprinters’ teams) works to catch them in time for a sprint.
Anticipating Race Tactics
This is gold for live betting (in-play betting) during the Tour de France stages. For example, by knowing that GC riders (overall contenders) usually race conservatively in the first week, you won’t be surprised when breakaways or sprinters take those early stages. You might avoid betting an overall favorite to win Stage 5 if it is flat; he is likely just staying safe in the peloton, not contesting the win. Instead, put your money on a sprinter or opportunist for that stage.
Where to Bet on the Tour de France
Knowing the cycling language and strategy is one thing; putting that knowledge to use is another. You’ll want to place your bets with sportsbooks that offer solid cycling markets, good odds, and a user-friendly experience for in-play betting (because who doesn’t want to bet on the fly when a breakaway looks promising?). Here are some top options:
Bet365
A global sportsbook powerhouse, Bet365 is well-known for its extensive cycling markets. They cover all Tour de France stages with a variety of bet types (stage winners, outright GC, King of the Mountains, head-to-heads, etc.). Bet365 often posts odds early and provides live betting so that you can react mid-race.
FanDuel
FanDuel is one of the big players in the US market. In recent years, they have been offering more cycling odds, including the Tour. For American fans, FanDuel’s app is easy to use and typically has promotional offers that can be applied to Tour de France bets (like odds boosts on specific riders). They might not have the sheer breadth of markets that a European book offers, but they cover the main ones and have a solid live betting interface.
DraftKings
This is another major US sportsbook that has embraced cycling odds. DraftKings will usually have markets for stage winners, overall winner, and sometimes special props like matchups. They are also known for their fantasy sports, and while Tour de France fantasy is a niche, the sportsbook side is straightforward and competitive on odds. The DraftKings app is polished, making it convenient to place bets while you are watching the race. Keep an eye out for any Tour-specific promos they might run.
BetMGM
BetMGM is a big name and offers a reliable sportsbook experience with a growing interest in cycling betting. They often feature the standard Tour markets and might have some interesting parlays or futures available. What’s nice about BetMGM is their integration of a rewards program (tied to MGM properties), so your betting can earn you perks.
Caesars
Caesars in the US is another with a simple, user-friendly interface for Tour de France betting. The key is to find a sportsbook that you trust, is legal in your area, and gives you the markets you care about. That is precisely what you get here.
Master the Language, Win the Ride - with NXTbets
Remember, the Tour de France (and cycling in general) is a beautiful mix of strategy and unpredictability. Even with all this knowledge, there will be moments that surprise us all, that is part of the thrill! But as the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared. By mastering the terminology and concepts, you have prepared yourself to enjoy the race on a deeper level and perhaps turn a profit while you are at it. And you are not alone on this ride.
NXTbets is here as your go-to guide through every mountain climb and sprint finish. Subscribe to our newsletter for more Tour de France articles, stage previews, odds analysis, and expert picks throughout the race.
The world’s premier cycling race is back and celebrating its 112th birthday, starting in Lille and terminating on the iconic Champs-Élysées. Defending Champion, Tadej Pogačar, has the backing of the bettors in the 2025 Tour de France pre-event odds after triumphing in the Critérium du Dauphiné last month. Besides the battle for the yellow jersey, …
The first time trial of the 2025 spectacle is done and dusted. Remco Evenepoel powered home to Victory ahead of Tadej Pogačar, but it was the Slovenian who stole the headlines. Pogi now owns the yellow, green and polka dot jerseys, but will don the yellow jersey when stage 6 begins on Thursday, Bets for …
What a way to celebrate Bastille Day. The host nation bagged the polka dot jersey, and there’s another yellow jersey holder in the tour. Ireland leads the general classification for the first time since 1987, courtesy of Ben Healy. There is this and more to break down in our 2025 Tour de France Stage 10 …
Hautacam may be the venue where Tadej Pogačar won the grandest event in cycling for a fourth time. Of course, that suggestion is premature because anything can happen, but Pogi snatched the yellow jersey to open a substantial lead on his opponents. The Slovenian captures most of the headlines in our 2025 Tour de France …
Tour de France Glossary of Terms – Breakaway, Peloton, GC, Domestique
Table of Contents
The Tour de France is an exhibition of speed, strategy, and stamina in a bike race. With so much happening in each stage, the commentary can sound like a foreign language if you are a first-time viewer. You will hear terms like “breakaway”, “peloton”, “GC”, and “domestique” fly around, making an already exciting sport even more complex.
Understanding these key terms can completely transform your viewing experience. You shift to a zone where every move in the race suddenly has context and meaning. And if you are a betting enthusiast, knowing the terms is not just fun; it is power. It allows you to interpret race tactics and make smarter wagers on your favorites.
At NXTbets, we are all about helping you enjoy the sport and win your bets. Let’s dive into the pack and ride through the must-know terms and insights that will make you feel like you are part of the action!
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Why Understanding Cycling Terminology Matters
Think about it – does it make sense to participate in something you don’t fully comprehend? Certainly not! Here is why you need to know the cycling terminology:
For Fans New to the Sport
If you are new to professional cycling, learning the terminology instantly makes watching races more enjoyable. Those confusing scenes in the Tour de France broadcast will instantly click into place. You’ll know why a breakaway group is struggling at the front, or why the peloton (main pack) is content to cruise for now.
Understanding the vocabulary helps you appreciate the tactics. When a commentator says a rider is “bridging to the break,” you’ll realize they are trying to join an escape group ahead. This deeper insight turns a bike race from seeming chaos into a thrilling chess match on wheels.
For Smart Betting Decisions
Knowledge is power in sports betting. If you grasp each rider’s role and the strategy behind moves like breakaways or lead-out trains, you can make much more informed bets. Bookmakers and sportsbooks factor in race contexts, and you should too. For instance, by knowing that a flat stage usually ends in a bunch sprint led by sprinters’ teams, you won’t waste money betting on a pure climber to win that day.
Core Cycling Terms Explained
Let’s break down four fundamental cycling terms that you’ll hear constantly during the Tour de France. Mastering these will give you a solid foundation for understanding race action and placing winning bets.
Breakaway
A breakaway is a small group of riders – or sometimes a lone rider – that sprints away from the main field (the peloton) to ride ahead of everyone else. Think of it as a bold escape attempt. Early in many Tour de France stages, you’ll often see a flurry of attacks as riders try to form a breakaway. These escapees work together (sharing the work of cutting through the wind) to build a time gap while the peloton decides whether to chase or let them stay away for a while.
Peloton
The peloton is the main pack of riders in a race – essentially the big group that contains most of the field. Riding in the peloton is all about efficiency: by cycling in a tight group, riders significantly reduce wind resistance (a phenomenon called drafting). This means a rider in the middle of the peloton uses much less energy than one out front in the wind.
General Classification (GC)
General Classification, often shortened to GC, refers to the overall time standings in a stage race like the Tour de France. It is the big picture every day – who is leading the race overall? The rider with the lowest total time since the start of the Tour wears the coveted Yellow Jersey and is called the GC leader. Winning the GC = winning the entire Tour de France. So when we talk about “GC riders” or “GC contenders,” we mean those cyclists aiming not for individual stage glory but for the best overall time after all 21 stages.
Domestique
A domestique is a rider whose primary job is to support their team leader, rather than to chase personal glory. The term comes from French, meaning “servant,” and that is essentially what they are, the unsung heroes serving the team’s needs. In a Tour de France squad of 8 riders, most are domestiques dedicated to one or two leaders (for GC, sprint, or climbing). You’ll rarely see a domestique on the podium, but if a teammate wins, you can bet the domestiques had a big hand in it.
Additional Essential Cycling Terms
Here are other key terms grouped by category to enrich your cycling vocabulary:
Climbing Terms
Mountains are often where the Tour de France is won or lost. Naturally, there is special terminology for the epic ascents the riders face.
Hors Categorie (HC)
Hors Categorie means “beyond category” in French, and it denotes the most fearsome climbs in cycling. An HC climb is so brutal, due to its length, steepness, and elevation, that it doesn’t even fit into the standard 1-4 categorization scale. These are the monster climbs that often become legendary Tour de France moments (think Alpe d’Huez or Mont Ventoux).
Category 1-4 Climbs
Aside from HC monsters, the Tour classifies climbs from Category 4 (the least difficult) up to Category 1 (extremely difficult). This ranking considers the climb’s length, steepness, and position in the stage. A Category 4 climb might be a short hill that just barely merits being noted, while a Category 1 could be a long, steep ascent that shatters the peloton. Category 1 climbs are just a notch below HC in difficulty. Points in the KOM competition are allotted based on a climb’s category: the tougher the climb, the more points at stake for the first riders over the top.
KOM (King of the Mountains)
KOM stands for King of the Mountains, which is a secondary contest in stage races for the best climber. Throughout the Tour, riders earn KOM points by being among the first over the top of categorized climbs (the harder the climb, the more points). The rider with the most points in this competition gets to wear the polka dot jersey (white with red polka dots) and is crowned the “King of the Mountains.”
This doesn’t always go to the Tour winner; it often goes to a climber who attacks a lot in the mountains, even if they aren’t in GC contention. For example, a rider who consistently joins mountain breakaways might rack up KOM points and secure the polka dot jersey, while a GC contender is more focused on overall time.
Sprinting & Finish Terms
Not every day is about the mountains; many Tour de France stages are flat or rolling, primed for high-speed finishes. Sprint stages have their own tactics and language:
Lead-out Train
A lead-out train is a strategy used by teams to deliver their sprinter to the finish in the best possible way. In the final kilometers of a sprint stage, you’ll often see one team mass at the front of the peloton with several riders lined up one after another, with their star sprinter tucked in fifth or sixth wheel.
Each teammate in the train will take a pull at an extremely high pace, then peel off when they tire, letting the next rider continue the acceleration. This keeps the speed super high, discouraging other sprinters from jumping too early and giving the team’s sprinter a clear path.
Bunch Sprint
A bunch sprint (or mass sprint) refers to a finish where a large group of riders (often the majority of the peloton) roar into the finish together. The stage winner is decided among them by pure sprinting speed.
Photo Finish
A photo finish is exactly what it sounds like: a finish so close that officials must rely on a finish-line photograph (usually a high-speed, high-resolution camera that takes images at the line) to determine the order of finishers. In cycling, photo finishes happen most often in sprints, when two riders throw their bikes at the line and cross almost at the same millisecond. If you see two riders lunge and it is not clear who got it, expect commentators to say, “It’s a photo finish!”
Time Gaps
In stage racing, time gaps refer to the differences in time between riders or groups on the road. You’ll hear things like “the breakaway has a 3-minute gap over the peloton” or “there is a 10-second gap between the first and second groups.” Gaps are crucial for the race narrative and especially for the GC battle.
Time Trial Terminology
Time trials (TTs) are unique stages in the Tour de France where riders race individually (or as a team) against the clock, not head-to-head on the road. They require a different set of skills and often different equipment.
Individual Time Trial (ITT)
An Individual Time Trial, or ITT, is a stage where riders start one by one at set intervals (usually 1-2 minutes apart) and ride a course alone, trying to set the fastest time. There is no peloton, no teammates to draft behind; it is nicknamed “the race of truth” because it is just the rider versus the clock (and their own limits).
In the Tour, ITTs are crucial for GC contenders, especially those who excel at them. A strong time trialist can gain a minute or more on a pure climber over a flat 30 km ITT, which can decide the overall Tour.
Team Time Trial (TTT)
A Team Time Trial is like an individual time trial, but with your entire team. In a TTT, usually the whole team of (for example) 8 riders starts together, and they work in unison to clock the fastest team time over the course. The team’s time is usually taken when a certain rider crosses the line, commonly the 4th or 5th rider (meaning not everyone needs to finish together; teams can drop a few riders if they can’t keep up).
Aero Bars
Time trials demand maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Aero bars are those funny-looking extension bars you’ll see on TT bikes (often coming out from the center of the handlebars) that allow the rider to adopt a super-tucked position. The rider rests their forearms on pads and brings their hands close together in front, minimizing wind drag.
In this position, a cyclist can slice through the air with much less resistance compared to the normal upright stance. Aero bars are part of a whole suite of aero equipment: time trial helmets (with teardrop shapes), skin-tight suits, aero bikes with deep-section wheels, etc. The goal is to gain every second possible.
Rolling Start
The term rolling start in cycling usually refers to how a stage begins, especially a road stage. Unlike a standing start (think of how foot races or track cycling start from a dead stop), most Tour de France road stages begin with a neutralized or controlled section where the riders are already moving at a modest pace before the racing officially starts. You might hear it called the départ fictif (fictional start), followed by the départ réel (real start).
What happens is the riders roll out of the town together behind the race director’s car, in a sort of parade. Then, at a certain point, often once they are out of town or after a few kilometers, the race director waves a flag from the car, signaling the official start of racing. At that moment, the peloton goes from leisurely rolling to full gas, and attacks for breakaways usually begin. This whole process is the rolling start of a stage. It’s done for safety (so riders don’t sprint from the gun on narrow village streets) and ceremony.
Race Strategy and Team Roles
Cycling is as much a team sport as it is individual. Understanding who is who in a team and some common tactical terms will help you decode why certain riders do what they do:
Team Leader
The team leader is the rider around whom a team is built in a given race or stage. This is the star or the protected rider who is aiming for the big result, be it the overall Tour de France win (GC leader), a stage victory, or a specific jersey. For example, on a team with a GC contender, that GC rider is the leader for the Tour. On a sprinter-focused team, the sprinter is the leader on flat stages.
GC Hopeful
A GC hopeful is a rider who isn’t necessarily a top favorite to win the Tour, but who has ambitions (and perhaps an outside shot) to place high in the General Classification. This term is used for riders who think they can maybe crack the top 10 or top 5, or if things go exceptionally well (or luck favors them), even sneak onto the podium. They have to be well-rounded riders (decent in climbs and time trials) and usually are the leaders of their respective teams, though perhaps on teams without the strongest support or on smaller wildcard teams.
Road Captain
A road captain is a seasoned, respected rider on a team who is essentially the field general during the race. While the team manager or directeur sportif (sporting director) sits in the team car and gives instructions via radio, the road captain is the one among the riders who helps implement strategy, make real-time decisions, and keep the team organized on the fly.
Think of them as the on-the-road coach. They are often (but not always) older riders with a lot of experience and a deep tactical understanding. A road captain might not be the strongest rider, but they have leadership skills.
Wild Card Team
In the Tour de France, not all teams are created equal. There are the top-tier WorldTour teams that automatically get invited, and then there are a few wild card teams (often professional continental teams) invited by the organizers to round out the field, usually from the host country or with ties to the event. A wild card team is typically one that doesn’t have the budget or star power of the big squads. They often don’t have a serious GC contender; just getting a stage win or a few days in a jersey would be a massive success for them.
Gear, Support & Logistics
A lot goes on behind the scenes (and within the race convoy) to keep the Tour de France moving. Here are some terms related to the equipment and support systems critical to the race (and sometimes mentioned in coverage):
Bidon
A bidon is simply the French word for a water bottle, and you’ll hear it used universally in cycling. “Bidon” sounds fancier, but it is your basic plastic bottle that riders use to stay hydrated (or fueled, if filled with an energy drink mix). Why does a bottle merit its own term? Well, bidons are a big part of race lore and logistics. You’ll often see riders toss empty bidons to the side of the road once they have drained them, cue the scramble of delighted fans snagging them as souvenirs.
San Wagon
The sag wagon is the not-so-glamorous nickname for the vehicle that follows at the very tail end of the race to pick up riders who can’t continue. It is often also called the broom wagon, because it “sweeps” the course of dropped-out riders. If a rider abandons the race due to a crash, illness, or sheer exhaustion, the sag wagon is their ride to the finish (and usually to the hotel or medical center). It is basically a little bus or van that trails behind the last cyclist on the road.
Team Car
Each team in the Tour has one or two team cars in the race convoy (usually two, numbered #1 and #2). These are essentially the mobile headquarters for the team during a stage. A typical team car is an SUV or wagon plastered with sponsor logos, carrying the directeur sportif (team director/coach) and sometimes another sport director or mechanic in the passenger seats.
Neutral Service
Neutral service is like the safety net for riders when their team car isn’t immediately available. The Tour (and other big races) provides neutral support vehicles, typically a car or motorcycle from a sponsor like Mavic (brightly colored, carrying spare wheels of various brands, and bikes). These neutral service crews are not affiliated with any team; they are there to help any rider in need. So if a rider has a mechanical but their team car is stuck minutes behind (perhaps because the peloton split and only certain cars can move up), a neutral service moto might zoom up and lend a quick hand, maybe a wheel change or even a spare bike if necessary.
Betting Edge: How Knowing Cycling Terms Helps Bettors
Understanding cycling terminology isn’t just about sounding smart; it can directly translate into a betting edge. When you know the roles, strategies, and nuances of how a Tour de France stage unfolds, you are better equipped to predict outcomes that casual bettors might overlook.
Here are a few advantages you’ll gain:
Identifying Specialist Riders
In cycling, not all riders are equal; they have specialties. Some are sprinters, lightning-fast on flat finishes; others are climbers who dance up the mountains; others are time trialists who excel alone against the clock. Understanding the different categories helps you avoid missteps like betting on the wrong type of rider for a given stage. For example, if you see a stage is flat and likely ending in a bunch sprint, you’ll focus your bets on the elite sprinters (and their lead-out trains) rather than a climber who has virtually zero chance that day.
Spotting Strategy in Stage Profiles
A stage’s profile (the map of its climbs, descents, and flats) is like a script for how the race could play out. When you pair that with terms and tactics you understand, you start seeing the strategy unfold before it even happens. For instance, imagine a stage profile with a series of moderate climbs and a flat finish. A newbie might think, “Maybe a climber wins since there are hills.” But an informed fan knows: moderate climbs early often encourage a breakaway, yet the flat finish means sprinter teams can come back into play if they haven’t lost their fast man on the climbs. You could anticipate a scenario where a breakaway tries its luck, but the peloton (likely with domestiques from sprinters’ teams) works to catch them in time for a sprint.
Anticipating Race Tactics
This is gold for live betting (in-play betting) during the Tour de France stages. For example, by knowing that GC riders (overall contenders) usually race conservatively in the first week, you won’t be surprised when breakaways or sprinters take those early stages. You might avoid betting an overall favorite to win Stage 5 if it is flat; he is likely just staying safe in the peloton, not contesting the win. Instead, put your money on a sprinter or opportunist for that stage.
Where to Bet on the Tour de France
Knowing the cycling language and strategy is one thing; putting that knowledge to use is another. You’ll want to place your bets with sportsbooks that offer solid cycling markets, good odds, and a user-friendly experience for in-play betting (because who doesn’t want to bet on the fly when a breakaway looks promising?). Here are some top options:
Bet365
A global sportsbook powerhouse, Bet365 is well-known for its extensive cycling markets. They cover all Tour de France stages with a variety of bet types (stage winners, outright GC, King of the Mountains, head-to-heads, etc.). Bet365 often posts odds early and provides live betting so that you can react mid-race.
FanDuel
FanDuel is one of the big players in the US market. In recent years, they have been offering more cycling odds, including the Tour. For American fans, FanDuel’s app is easy to use and typically has promotional offers that can be applied to Tour de France bets (like odds boosts on specific riders). They might not have the sheer breadth of markets that a European book offers, but they cover the main ones and have a solid live betting interface.
DraftKings
This is another major US sportsbook that has embraced cycling odds. DraftKings will usually have markets for stage winners, overall winner, and sometimes special props like matchups. They are also known for their fantasy sports, and while Tour de France fantasy is a niche, the sportsbook side is straightforward and competitive on odds. The DraftKings app is polished, making it convenient to place bets while you are watching the race. Keep an eye out for any Tour-specific promos they might run.
BetMGM
BetMGM is a big name and offers a reliable sportsbook experience with a growing interest in cycling betting. They often feature the standard Tour markets and might have some interesting parlays or futures available. What’s nice about BetMGM is their integration of a rewards program (tied to MGM properties), so your betting can earn you perks.
Caesars
Caesars in the US is another with a simple, user-friendly interface for Tour de France betting. The key is to find a sportsbook that you trust, is legal in your area, and gives you the markets you care about. That is precisely what you get here.
Master the Language, Win the Ride - with NXTbets
Remember, the Tour de France (and cycling in general) is a beautiful mix of strategy and unpredictability. Even with all this knowledge, there will be moments that surprise us all, that is part of the thrill! But as the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared. By mastering the terminology and concepts, you have prepared yourself to enjoy the race on a deeper level and perhaps turn a profit while you are at it. And you are not alone on this ride.
NXTbets is here as your go-to guide through every mountain climb and sprint finish. Subscribe to our newsletter for more Tour de France articles, stage previews, odds analysis, and expert picks throughout the race.
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Offer Score
Related Posts
Best Bets: 2025 Tour de France Pre-Event Odds Analysis
The world’s premier cycling race is back and celebrating its 112th birthday, starting in Lille and terminating on the iconic Champs-Élysées. Defending Champion, Tadej Pogačar, has the backing of the bettors in the 2025 Tour de France pre-event odds after triumphing in the Critérium du Dauphiné last month. Besides the battle for the yellow jersey, …
2025 Tour de France Stage 5 Report
The first time trial of the 2025 spectacle is done and dusted. Remco Evenepoel powered home to Victory ahead of Tadej Pogačar, but it was the Slovenian who stole the headlines. Pogi now owns the yellow, green and polka dot jerseys, but will don the yellow jersey when stage 6 begins on Thursday, Bets for …
2025 Tour de France Stage 10 Report
What a way to celebrate Bastille Day. The host nation bagged the polka dot jersey, and there’s another yellow jersey holder in the tour. Ireland leads the general classification for the first time since 1987, courtesy of Ben Healy. There is this and more to break down in our 2025 Tour de France Stage 10 …
2025 Tour de France Stage 12 Report
Hautacam may be the venue where Tadej Pogačar won the grandest event in cycling for a fourth time. Of course, that suggestion is premature because anything can happen, but Pogi snatched the yellow jersey to open a substantial lead on his opponents. The Slovenian captures most of the headlines in our 2025 Tour de France …