The 102^nd Tour de France rolls out in Utrecht on Saturday July 4, with Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) out to defend the yellow jersey he successfully won last year.

The pinnacle of the pro cycling season, the Tour attracts unprecedented interest every year – with the huge popularity evident from the huge crowds which turned out to watch Yorkshire’s Grand Depart.

Occupying three weeks of the summer, the race is the most famous on the calendar with former champions like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and the now infamous Lance Armstrong known far beyond the cycling circles.

So for those new to the sport, perhaps enticed in by the recent success of British riders Bradley Wiggins, winner in 2012, or Chris Froome, the 2013 champion, what exactly is the Tour de France?

We’ve put together this beginner’s guide to look at the race’s history, traditions, route, riders and what’s at stake.