The year’s Tour de France (TDF) has begun, and Geraint Thomas has won the first stage, becoming the first Welshman to wear the famed yellow jersey. The TDF is a gruelling long-distance cycling race that covers 3,500 km in over three weeks, around France and its bordering states. The competition is more than a century old and has been held every year since 1903 except during the two world wars. It is among the most physically demanding sporting events in the world.