The aim of the race is to get to the finish in Paris in less time than anyone else.

Each rider's time is totalled as the race goes on.

Bonuses, which can be picked up along the way, are added and penalties deducted.

The accumulated result decides a rider's final overall placing.

The Texan titan Lance Armstrong has won the famous winner's yellow jersey for the last six years.

But how does he do it?

What tactics has he employed to be so dominant for so long?

Lance Armstrong: tactically smart

Of course all riders would love to win the Tour de France but very few are capable.

Those that are employed to do so by their respective cycling teams are called the team leaders.

Team leaders are easy to spot because the race numbers pinned to their jerseys usually end in one.

Armstrong is the team leader of the US Postal Service/Berry Floor team.

Some teams that enter the Tour do not expect any of their riders to be capable of winning the race.

Realistically they hope to win a few stages or pick up the green points jersey for best sprinter.

So fasten your bicycle clips for the Academy's guide on how to out-fox your opponents in the greatest race on earth.

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Introduction

Domestiques

Flat stages

Time trials

Mountain stages

Did you know?

In 1996 Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer but made a miraculous recovery and has since won six Tours on the trot.

2005 Tour de France facts

Starts: 2 July, Fromentine Finishes: 24 July, Paris Distance: 3607 km Number of stages: 20 + prologue Longest stage: Stage 17 - Pau-Revel, 239.5km Number of teams: 21 Number of riders: 189

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