When the Tour de France 2024 gets underway June 29 in Florence, Italy, three Canadian riders will be at the starting line ready to pursue the stage wins and colorful jerseys.

The Tour de France 2023 will be another year of opportunities for the Canadians on the heels of Hugo Houle's stage win in the 2022 edition last year.

The Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional road cycling and a sport that is, at its core, a very European affair. For a rider to infiltrate cycling's elite ranks from nations outside Europe represents years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice, while often isolated from family and friends.

Biniam Girmay of Eritrea won the prestigious Gent Wevelgem classic on Sunday, becoming the first sub-Saharan cyclist to win a one-day classic.