The 47th edition of Tour de France was held between 3rd and 26th July in 1953.
Tour de France was contested still by national (and several French regional) teams. The previous winner Fausto Coppi did not attend the race, although he visited the mountain stage between Gap and Briancon (included Vars and Izoard)as a spectator. On the other hand, the other Italian legend, Gino Bartali was still considered as one of the favourites. Also two other former winners Jean Robic (now riding for the French regional team “West”) and Hugo Coblet attended the race. But the biggest favourite was Lousion Bobet, who rode his sixth Tour de France, already earned a 4th (1948) and a 3rd (1950) GC place. However, inside the French national team not everyone saw Bobet as a favourite due to his previous efforts without triumph.
As it was usually almost every year in the first half century in Tour de France history, there was a big innovation again: the points classification was introduced to the race. Its first winner was Fritz Schär, who also won the first two stages of the race and led the general classification for several days.
Of course, the real battle began in the mountains. In the Pyrenees, Jean Robic demonstrated his good form, he was 2nd behind Lorono on the 10th stage (including Aubisque and Cauterets) and won the next one ( including Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde). Because Robic claimed the yellow jersey on the final stage in 1947, this was the very first (and sadly the last) time he wore the precious kit on a race day. He immediately lost his leading position after a crash on the next day And a few days later, he left the race.
Neverteless, the West regional team wasn’t that bad at all, another team member, Francois Mahé was the next man in yellow followed by Jean Malléjac the next day.
Only the 18th stage brought a big change in the general classification. After a great solo ride in the Alps, Louison Bobet took over the first place. But it wasn’t an easy ride.
It was one of those days during Malléjac’s lead, when Bobet accused Geminiani and Nello Laurendi woking purposely against him. Laurendi won a sprint ahead of Bobet and “stole” the one-minute bonus from him. There was even a fight involved during the team dinner. Only Marcel Bidot, the team manager could find the right solution: Bobet agreed to give the prize money to their teammates if they help him to win the race.
So the 18th stage came and Jesus Lorono attacked on the Col de Vars. Bobet dropped him on the descent, while he reached his teammate Adolph Deledda from the earlier breakaway group still riding at the front of the race. Deledda only helped for a short time, Bobet climbed the Izoard alone. H finished the stage first, more than 5 minutes ahead of Jan Nolten, the second rider of the day. After the stage, Bobet led the general classification with eight an a half minutes ahead of Jean Malléjac. He extended his lead with more than 6 minutes on the 20th stage (individual time trial) and won his first Tour de France.
Top 10 of the general classification:
1.Louison Bobet (France): 129hr 23min 25sec
2. Jean Malléjac (France West) 14min 18sec
3. Giancarlo Astrua (Italy) 15min 1sec
4. Alexandre Close (Belgium) 17min 35sec
5. Wout Wagtmans (Holland) 18min 5sec
6. Fritz Schaer (Switzerland) 18min 44sec
7. Antonin Rolland (France) 23min 3sec
8. Nello Laurédi (France) 26min 3sec
9. Raphaël Géminiani (France) 27min 18sec
10. François Mahé (France West) 28min 26sec