Tour Tidbit du Jour - 7/24/2009

Each stage in the Tour is designated into one of three types: time trial, plain, and mountain. These types are not just a description of the course, but lets people know how many points are awarded for the winner in points classification. Time trials award 15 points to the winner, with one point awarded to the tenth place finisher. Mountain stages award 25 points to the winner, awarding points all the way down to the 15th place. And Plain, or flat stages, award 35 points to the winner, with points going to all the riders down to the 25th finisher. No points are awarded during a team time trial.