The riders temper their competitiveness and enthusiasm with an
elaborate but unwritten code of conduct. When possible, a rider
is allowed to lead the race through his home village or on his
birthday. It is considered unsporting to attack a leading rider
delayed by a mechanical breakdown or other misfortune, one who
is eating in the feed zone or one who is enjoying un besoin
naturel (roughly translated to "a natural need", referring to
urinating. Not sticking to these customs can lead to animosity .
Unless the final stage is a time trial, riders generally do not
attack on the final stage, leaving the leader to bask in the
glory of winning.
The rider ranked last in the general classification, who may
wind up in Paris with an overall time five or more hours slower
than that of the winner, is called the lanterne rouge. Such was
the sympathy shown to the last rider in the past that he could
command higher fees in other races than riders who finished
better. This custom has died along with the round-the-houses
races one run off all over France in the weeks after the Tour.
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