Inside the Tour de France: Strategy, Technology, and the Science of the World’s Toughest Race - Jason Gay, Sports Columnist at The Wall Street Journal

What does the Tour de France have to do with STEM education? More than you might think.

This week, host Matt Kirchner is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and cycling expert Jason Gay to unpack the world’s most demanding sporting event: the Tour de France. They break down everything from team tactics to jersey competitions to the breathtaking drama expected in this year’s race—highlighting the fierce rivalry between defending champion Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard.

Along the way, they explore the surprising connections between elite cycling and STEM education, from aerodynamics and power output to mechanical systems, race strategy, and nutrition science.

Listen to learn:

• What makes the Tour de France’s 21-stage race one of the most captivating competitions in global sport
• A preview of this year’s high-stakes showdown between two of cycling’s most dominant riders
• How the science of cycling connects directly to STEM—physics, engineering, and human performance
• The advanced tech behind the race: radio comms, carbon fiber frames, power meters, and more
• The complex strategy and systems thinking behind every individual win

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The Tour de France offers a powerful model for teaching systems thinking. Success on the course depends on how well teams work together—each rider has a role, and strategy unfolds in real time. Educators can use the race to illustrate collaboration, logistics, and decision-making under pressure.

2. Cycling gives students a real-world application of STEM principles. Every stage involves physics, data analysis, mechanical systems, and energy management. From gearing ratios to wattage tracking to aerodynamics, the race mirrors the technical concepts taught in STEM and CTE classrooms.

3. This year’s race highlights how different approaches can lead to success. Pogačar races on instinct and momentum; Vingegaard relies on structure and consistency. Their contrast gives educators a chance to explore how mindset, preparation, and style impact outcomes—even in high-tech, high-performance environments.

Resources in this Episode:

• Official website of the Tour de France

Connect with Jason Gay

Follow Jason on X  |  Read Jason's articles in The Wall Street Journal

Full show notes

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