Fifty-seven seconds. After more than 2,000 miles and nearly three weeks of grueling cycling, Cadel Evans needed 57 seconds to catch the leader. And he would have to do it riding alone for only 26.4 miles.

He gained 2 1/2 minutes.

When you watch the Tour de France, you realize that amid the extreme physical challenges of the race comes a high level of personal drama. And while most people picture a large pack (the peloton) of virtually every rider in the tour riding together for most of the race, you might be surprised at just how much separation happens during each stage of the race.

Stages are categorized as follows:
• En ligne: This is a French term that in English we would call “flat.”
• High mountains: Long, steep climbs and extremely fast descents (riders often top 60 mph).
• Individual time-trial: Riders start separated by a couple of minutes and must ride the stage alone.
• Medium mountains: Not as big as the high mountains, but still mountains that 99 percent of us would never think of riding a bike up or down.
• Team time-trial: Teams start separately and ride separately, and all members of the team are given the same time.

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