Some have racked up prestigious stage wins, whereas others are still on the hunt for the first one. Whatever the case, numerous champions got their first taste of the Tour on that extraordinary occasion when they discovered the Tour from behind the scenes and pedalled on the roads of the Grande Boucle. Pierre Rolland and Arnaud Démare had the privilege to be invited to the Young Cadets event over 15 years ago, while riders who are still earning their stripes, such as Pierre Latour, Benjamin Thomas and Pavel Sivakov, also experienced these singular thrills.
For two decades, virtually not a single day has gone by in the Tour de France without young cyclists getting the opportunity to tackle the first 30 and the final 30 kilometres of the stage as an opening act ahead of the main race. A total of four cadets and four juniors, belonging to the clubs of the region hosting the stage and composed of an equal number of boys and girls whenever possible, are selected to take part.
Continental shows its commitment by taking them under its wing and equipping them. After tackling the course, the neophytes are feted with a medal ceremony on the podium, just like the pros, and get to watch the finish of the stage from the grandstand.
CYCLING TEAMS SELECTED IN 2024 FOR THE CONTINENTAL CADETS AND JUNIORS OPERATION
STAGE 1 : LILLE METROPOLE > LILLE METROPOLE
- Vélo Club de Roubaix Lille Métropole
STAGE 2 : LAUWIN-PLANQUE > BOULOGNE-SUR-MER
- ESEG Douai
STAGE 3 : VALENCIENNES > DUNKERQUE
- Velo Club de l'Escaut – Anzin
STAGE 4 : AMIENS METROPOLE > ROUEN
- Comité Somme Cyclisme
STAGE 5 : CAEN > CAEN
- Pôle Espoirs Cyclisme Caen
STAGE 6 : BAYEUX > VIRE NORMANDIE
- Etoile cycliste st vigorienne
- Amicale Cycliste de Bayeux
- UC Tilly Val de Seulles
STAGE 7 : ST-MALO > MUR-DE-BRETAGNE GUERLEDAN
- Vélo Club Dinannais
STAGE 8 : ST-MEEN-LE-GRAND > LAVAL ESPACE MAYENNE
- VC PLELANAIS
- AS ROMILLÉ
- Vélo Club Mevennais
STAGE 9 : CHINON > CHATEAUROUX
- CYCLO SPORT CHINONAIS
STAGE 10 : ENNEZAT > LE MONT-DORE PUY DE SANCY
- Vélo Club Riomois
STAGE 11 : TOULOUSE > TOULOUSE
- TOAC Cylisme
- GSC Blagnac
STAGE 12 : AUCH > HAUTACAM
- Union Vélocipédique Auch Gers Gascogne
STAGE 13 : LOUDENVIELLE > PEYRAGUDES
- Tarbes Cycliste
STAGE 14 : PAU > LUCHON-SUPERBAGNERES
- Pau Vélo 64
- Jurançon Cyclisme Compétition
- Vélo Club Nayais
STAGE 15 : MURET > CARCASSONNE
- AS MURET CYCLISTE
- Villeneuve Cycliste
STAGE 16 : MONTPELLIER > MONT-VENTOUX
- Montpellier Languedoc Cyclisme
STAGE 17 : BOLLENE > VALENCE
- Vélo Club Bollènois
STAGE 18 : VIF > COURCHEVEL COL DE LA LOZE
- Grenoble Metropole Cyclisme 38 E.F
STAGE 19 : ALBERTVILLE > LA PLAGNE
- GUIDON D' OR LA LECHERE
- La Motte Servolex cyclisme
STAGE 20 : NANTUA > PONTARLIER
- Espoir Cyclisme Lycée Xavier Bichat
STAGE 21 : MANTES-LA-VILLE > PARIS CHAMPS-ELYSEES
- Comité départemental de cyclisme des Yvelines
