In 2023, there will be 22 teams in the Tour de France, consisting of 18 UCI World Tour and four invited teams. Each team has eight riders, with a total of 176 riders.
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Key takeaways
- Individual participants took part from 1904 to 1929.
- National teams and mostly French individuals (called touriste-routiers) took part from 1930 to 1937. The national teams were made up of Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.
- Commercially sponsored teams replaced national teams in 1962. The 1968 edition was an exception where the commercial sponsors pulled out and thus was competed by national teams.
- Maximum number of riders per team ranged between 10 and 11 up to 1986. From 1987, it was reduced to 9 and to 8 in 2018. As the average speed increases, the large number of riders increases the dangers and risks.
- Most number of teams was in 2021 with 23 teams. In the last 30 years, the number ranged from 20 to 23.
- ASO started an invitation system in 1989. UCI World Tour (formerly UCI ProTour) teams automatically qualify for the Tour de France and the balance (3 to 6 teams) are made up of teams invited by the ASO (owner of Tour de France). The invited teams are usually French Pro Continental teams.
- 13 riders, including favorites such as Ivan Basso and Jan Ulrich, were expelled on the eve of the 2006 edition due to the Spanish doping scandal.
- In 2008, Astana who was the team of 2007 winner, Alberto Contador was not invited due to its ongoing doping scandals.
Key statistics
- Most number of starters was in 1986 with 210 riders.
- Least number of starters was in 1905 and 1934 with only 60 riders.
- Highest completion rate was 88.1% in 2019, followed by 87.9% (2016) and 86.7% (2009).
- Highest abandonment rate was 85.5% in 1919, followed by 82.9% (1906) and 82.1% (1913).
- Advancement in training, recovery, and nutrition has seen 14 out of the last 20 editions (except 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2012, and 2021) have a completion rate of above 80%.
The table below shows the number of starters and finishers for each Tour de France edition.
Detailed rider statistics and breakdown
| Year | Starters | Finishers | % Finished | Rides per team | Teams | Team type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 176 | 134 | 76.1% | 8 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2021 | 184 | 141 | 76.6% | 8 | 23 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2020 | 176 | 146 | 83.0% | 8 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2019 | 176 | 155 | 88.1% | 8 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2018 | 176 | 145 | 82.4% | 8 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2017 | 198 | 167 | 84.3% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2016 | 198 | 174 | 87.9% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2015 | 198 | 160 | 80.8% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2014 | 198 | 164 | 82.8% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2013 | 198 | 169 | 85.4% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2012 | 198 | 153 | 77.3% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2011 | 198 | 167 | 84.3% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2010 | 197 | 170 | 86.3% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2009 | 180 | 156 | 86.7% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2008 | 180 | 145 | 80.6% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2007 | 189 | 141 | 74.6% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2006 | 176 | 139 | 79.0% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2005 | 189 | 155 | 82.0% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2004 | 188 | 147 | 78.2% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2003 | 198 | 147 | 74.2% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2002 | 189 | 153 | 81.0% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2001 | 189 | 144 | 76.2% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 2000 | 197 | 127 | 64.5% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1999 | 180 | 141 | 78.3% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1998 | 189 | 96 | 50.8% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1997 | 198 | 139 | 70.2% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1996 | 197 | 129 | 65.5% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1995 | 189 | 115 | 60.8% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1994 | 189 | 117 | 61.9% | 9 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1993 | 180 | 136 | 75.6% | 9 | 20 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1992 | 198 | 130 | 65.7% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1991 | 198 | 158 | 79.8% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1990 | 198 | 156 | 78.8% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1989 | 198 | 138 | 69.7% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1988 | 198 | 151 | 76.3% | 9 | 22 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1987 | 207 | 135 | 65.2% | 9 | 23 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1986 | 210 | 132 | 62.9% | 10 | 21 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1985 | 180 | 144 | 80.0% | 10 | 18 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1984 | 170 | 124 | 72.9% | 10 | 17 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1983 | 140 | 88 | 62.9% | 10 | 14 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1982 | 169 | 125 | 74.0% | 10 | 17 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1981 | 150 | 121 | 80.7% | 10 | 15 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1980 | 130 | 85 | 65.4% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1979 | 150 | 90 | 60.0% | 10 | 15 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1978 | 110 | 78 | 70.9% | 10 | 11 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1977 | 100 | 53 | 53.0% | 10 | 10 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1976 | 130 | 87 | 66.9% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1975 | 140 | 86 | 61.4% | 10 | 14 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1974 | 130 | 105 | 80.8% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1973 | 132 | 87 | 65.9% | 11 | 12 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1972 | 132 | 88 | 66.7% | 11 | 12 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1971 | 130 | 94 | 72.3% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1970 | 150 | 100 | 66.7% | 10 | 15 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1969 | 130 | 86 | 66.2% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1968 | 110 | 63 | 57.3% | 10 | 11 | National |
| 1967 | 130 | 88 | 67.7% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1966 | 130 | 82 | 63.1% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1965 | 130 | 96 | 73.8% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1964 | 132 | 81 | 61.4% | 11 | 12 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1963 | 130 | 76 | 58.5% | 10 | 13 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1962 | 149 | 94 | 63.1% | 10 | 15 | Commercial sponsors |
| 1961 | 132 | 72 | 54.5% | 11 | National, Regional | |
| 1960 | 128 | 81 | 63.3% | 13 | National, Regional | |
| 1959 | 120 | 65 | 54.2% | 10 | National, Regional | |
| 1958 | 120 | 78 | 65.0% | 10 | National, Regional | |
| 1957 | 120 | 56 | 46.7% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1956 | 120 | 88 | 73.3% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1955 | 130 | 69 | 53.1% | 13 | National, Regional | |
| 1954 | 110 | 69 | 62.7% | 11 | National, Regional | |
| 1953 | 119 | 76 | 63.9% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1952 | 122 | 78 | 63.9% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1951 | 123 | 66 | 53.7% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1950 | 116 | 51 | 44.0% | 14 | National, Regional | |
| 1949 | 120 | 55 | 45.8% | 13 | National, Regional | |
| 1948 | 120 | 44 | 36.7% | 12 | National, Regional | |
| 1947 | 99 | 53 | 53.5% | 10 | National, Regional | |
| 1939 | 79 | 49 | 62.0% | 10 | National, Regional | |
| 1938 | 96 | 55 | 57.3% | 9 | National | |
| 1937 | 98 | 46 | 46.9% | 9 | National, Individual | |
| 1936 | 90 | 43 | 47.8% | 9 | National, Individual | |
| 1935 | 93 | 46 | 49.5% | 5 | National, Individual | |
| 1934 | 60 | 39 | 65.0% | 5 | National, Individual | |
| 1933 | 80 | 40 | 50.0% | 5 | National, Individual | |
| 1932 | 80 | 57 | 71.3% | 5 | National, Individual | |
| 1931 | 81 | 35 | 43.2% | 6 | National, Individual | |
| 1930 | 100 | 59 | 59.0% | 5 | National, Individual | |
| 1929 | 155 | 60 | 38.7% | Individuals | ||
| 1928 | 162 | 41 | 25.3% | Individuals | ||
| 1927 | 142 | 39 | 27.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1926 | 126 | 41 | 32.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1925 | 130 | 49 | 37.7% | Individuals | ||
| 1924 | 157 | 60 | 38.2% | Individuals | ||
| 1923 | 139 | 48 | 34.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1922 | 121 | 38 | 31.4% | Individuals | ||
| 1921 | 123 | 38 | 30.9% | Individuals | ||
| 1920 | 113 | 22 | 19.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1919 | 69 | 10 | 14.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1914 | 145 | 54 | 37.2% | Individuals | ||
| 1913 | 140 | 25 | 17.9% | Individuals | ||
| 1912 | 131 | 41 | 31.3% | Individuals | ||
| 1911 | 84 | 28 | 33.3% | Individuals | ||
| 1910 | 110 | 41 | 37.3% | Individuals | ||
| 1909 | 150 | 55 | 36.7% | Individuals | ||
| 1908 | 112 | 36 | 32.1% | Individuals | ||
| 1907 | 93 | 33 | 35.5% | Individuals | ||
| 1906 | 82 | 14 | 17.1% | Individuals | ||
| 1905 | 60 | 24 | 40.0% | Individuals | ||
| 1904 | 88 | 27 | 30.7% | Individuals |