How do time limits work in the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is arguably one of the toughest challenges in elite sport – three weeks in the saddle, riding 5-6 hours a day, along thousands of kilometres of roads and ascending some of Europe’s most iconic (and savage) peaks.

While the media attention focuses on the action at the front of the race, there’s little consideration given to those at the back, who are embroiled in their own battle – trying to avoid the infamous time limit.