The Tour de France has become quicker and more crowded

WHEN Chris Froome of Britain crossed the finish line of the 100th edition of the Tour de France on Sunday, he was joined by 168 other riders from the 198 who set out from Corsica three weeks ago—the second-highest total. Only 2010 saw more starters complete the course. Though still a demanding race, a slew of advancements over the past century mean today's riders have it easier than ever. The strategy of teams supporting an individual in the late 1920s led to a sharp jump in the average speed. Later, derailleurs resulted in faster speeds as riders switched from three gears to more than 20. Along with better roads and carbon-fibre bikes, the course is also 2,000km (1,240 miles) shorter today than in the Tour's early years. These factors helped Mr Froome average 40.55km per hour, the second-fastest average speed after Óscar Pereiro of Spain in 2006 (excluding the Lance Armstrong years in 1999-2005, since the American rider admitted to doping). This year's finish is in contrast with the poor riders of the 1919 tour, when only 11 of the 69 cyclists finished.