1 July 1903 The first Tour de France started

The first Tour de France started at 3 pm on the 1st of July in 1903 from the Café au Reveil Matin (Paris).

The first Tour de France was held between 1 and 18 July 1903, included only 6 stages. (However, the complete route was 2428 km long.)60 riders started and 21 finished the race.The fist Tour de France was won by Maurice Garin.  

The legendary yellow jersey was introduced to Tour de France only in 1919. But already during the first edition of the race there was a sign distinguishing the  leader of the general classification from other participants: a green armband. Maurice Garin led the general classification from the very first stage and later won the race. MORE… Read More »Green armband for the leader of the general classification

The first Tour de France started at 3 pm on the 1st of July in 1903 from the Café au Reveil Matin (Paris).

There are few records from the early days of Tour de France still standing. One of them is the five consecutive stage victories during the race. The record holder is Francois Faber, the winner of the 1909 edition. Faber won eight stages that year, the the fiveco secutive knes he managed between the 2 and… Read More »15 July 1909 Francois Faber wins his5th consecutive stage

The opening stage of Tour de France 1906 was relatively short according to the standards of the time, “only” 271 km. The day started in Paris (as it was usual until 1926) and the finished in Lille. Emile Georget was the best rider on that day. Tour de France will return to Lille also in… Read More »4 July 1906 Tour de France visits Lille for the very first time