The 111th edition of the Tour de France is rewriting history. For the first time ever, the iconic race began outside of France, starting in Florence, Italy, on June 29th.expand_more With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on the horizon, the peloton (main group of riders) won't reach the Champs-Élysées for the traditional finish.expand_more Instead, they'll battle it out to Nice on July 21st.expand_more

This unique route, spanning four countries (Italy, San Marino, Monaco, and France), has thrown some curveballs at the riders. After a dramatic opening in Italy, the peloton tackled challenging climbs through the Alps. As of today, July 9th, Stage 10 is underway, with rain adding another layer of difficulty.

While the full picture is still emerging, there have been some exciting storylines so far. The hunt for the Yellow Jersey (leader's jersey) is wide open, with several contenders emerging.expand_more Sprinter Jasper Philipsen has dominated the flat stages, racking up wins and the Green Jersey (points leader's jersey).

With the race now entering the heart of the mountains, the upcoming stages will be crucial. Riders like Tadej Pogačar, winner of the last three Tours, will be looking to assert their dominance. However, challengers like Mathieu van der Poel and Primož Roglič are eager to dethrone him.

The Tour de France is always a grueling test of endurance and strategy.expand_more This year's edition, with its fresh scenery and unpredictable weather, promises to be one for the history books. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds over the next two weeks, culminating in the much-anticipated finish in Nice.exclamation