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.
Clubs selected for the 2022 edition of Continental Young Cadets:
Stage 1 | COPENHAGUE > COPENHAGUE
- Amager Cykel Ring
- Team Bach Advokater CEC Junior
- Team FriBikeShop Zealand Cycling
- CK Fix Rødovre
- Amager Cykle Ring
- Team RYTGER powered by Carl Ras junior
- Randers Cykleklub
Stage 2 | ROSKILDE > NYBORG
- Herning C.K
- Team NPV Carl Ras Roskilde Junoir
- Team FriBike Shop Zealand Cycling
- Middelfart CC
- Greve CC
- Roskilde Cykle Ring
Stage 3 | VEJLE > SØNDERBORG
- Herning C.K. Junior Biemme Danmark
- Aalborg C.R.
- Team NPV Carl Ras Roskilde Junior
- Team Nyt Syn powered by Fialla - Dame
- Odder Cykle Klub
- Team Macadam's Cowboys
- Bache-JS.dk
- Holte MTB Klub
Stage4 | DUNKERQUE > CALAIS | Dunkerque Littoral Cyclisme
Stage 5 |LILLE MÉTROPOLE > ARENBERG PORTE DU HAINAUT| Comité Régional Hauts-de-France de Cyclisme
Stage 6 | BINCHE > LONGWY
- Entente Cycliste de Wallonie Jeunesse
- IWG Wapi Cycling Team
- SPRINT 2000 CHARLEROI
- Flanderscolor Gallo Cycling Team
Stage 7 | TOMBLAINE > LA SUPER PLANCHE DES BELLES FILLES | Comité Départemental de Meurthe et Moselle Cyclisme
Stage 8 | DOLE > LAUSANNE | Vélo Club Dolois
Stage 9 | AIGLE > CHÂTEL LES PORTES DU SOLEIL | Cyclophile d'Aigle
Stage 10 | MORZINE LES PORTES DU SOLEIL > MEGÈVE | Comité Départemental Haute-Savoie de Cyclisme
Stage 11 | ALBERTVILLE > COL DU GRANON SERRE CHEVALIER | Albertville loisirs sportif
Stage 12 | BRIANÇON > ALPE D'HUEZ
- Comité Départemental des Hautes-Alpes de Cyclisme
- Briançon Serre Chevalier Cyclisme
- Briançon Sprinter Club
Stage 13 | LE BOURG D'OISANS > SAINT-ÉTIENNE | Grenoble Métropole Cyclisme 38 – Eybens Formation
Stage 14 | SAINT-ÉTIENNE > MENDE | Espoir Cycliste Saint Etienne Loire
Stage 15 | RODEZ > CARCASSONNE | Vélo Club Rodez
Stage 16 | CARCASSONNE > FOIX | Comité de l'Aude de Cyclisme
Stage 17 | SAINT-GAUDENS > PEYRAGUDES
- Saint-gaudens Cyclisme Comminges
- Comminges VTT
Stage 18 | LOURDES > HAUTACAM
- Tarbes cycliste compétition
- UC La vedan
Stage 19 | CASTELNAU-MAGNOAC > CAHORS | Cyclo Club TRIAIS
Stage 20 | LACAPELLE-MARIVAL > ROCAMADOUR
- Vélo Club Figeac
- Cahors Cyclisme
- Entente vélo Bretenoux Biars
Stage 21 | PARIS LA DÉFENSE ARENA > PARIS CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
