Tour de France is well under way now with the racers leaving Copenhagen for their month-long ride across the sport’s most decorated race.
They all have a brutal road in front of them, as the race take them through France's most dangerous roads, crippling inclines and hair-raisingly close edges during the month of chaos.
It’s also one of the most beautiful tracks in cycling, with the riders getting to enjoy the length and breadth of the nation in a way few get to see.
Better still, the winners take home one of the biggest prize pools in the sport and now the first stage is already over.
What do Tour de France winners get?
In 2022, the total prize fund is just over £2.2 million, which is similar to the pool for last year’s tour in 2021.
The winning rider won’t get all of that though, as it is divided across multiple winners and teams.
The overall winner will still take home £430,000, nothing to be sniffed at, obviously.
How is the Tour de France prize money broken down?
Due to the fact that the money is broken down into both teams and individual riders, it is a little complicated how it is ultimately split.
First, the winner gets £430,000, with second and third place getting £170,000 and £86,000, respectively.
For team wins, it is £43,000, £25,000 and £17,000, for first, second and third.
Split in the same way, points wins are £21,500, £12,900 and £8,600, these numbers are the same for mountain points wins as well.
The young rider win will receive, £17,250, which is also true for the combativity win.
Coming first, second and third in the individual stages will net you £9,500, £4,700 and £2,400, respectively.
What other prize do the winners receive?
It isn’t just about the money for the winners, as there is also the prestige of besting the elements.
There are four legendary jerseys on offer, with the coveted yellow jersey which is awarded to the overall winner of the tour.
The winner then gets to wear it the following year and was originally introduced to fans could easily spot the cyclist among the pack.
There is also the green jersey for best sprinter, awarded to the fastest person in the group for the biggest points at the end of the flat stages.
Next is the polka dot jersey, which some consider just as famous as the yellow.
This is awarded to the person with the most King of the Mountain points, awarded to those that are first to finish the brutal incline stages.
Finally, there is the white jersey which is simply awarded to the rider who is placed highest at the age of 24 or younger.
These are not the only special jersey’s though, as there is also the red one, which is awarded to the most aggressive player, hence the combatively points.
Finally, there is the rainbow jersey, which the reigning world champion wears.
Sadly, Julian Alaphilippe, the world champion, is absent at Tour de France 2022 due to recovering from an injury.
