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French cyclist and 2nd in overall, Paul Duboc at a checkpoint at Tour de France 1911

Vintage cycling image of the day: checkpoint at Tour de France 1911

Paul Duboc was one of the favourite of the Tour de France in 1911. Here youcan see him at one of the official checkpoints of the race. Paul Duboc (1884-1941) rode Tour de France twice (1908 and 1909) before, and earned some success (a stage victory and 4h place in overall in 1909) already, when he showed a remarkable form at the Tour de Frace 1911. He won 4 stages and finished 2nd in the general classification. But behind the pure facts, lies a weird story. On the 10th stage, in the Pyranees, Duboc led the race with 8 minutes, when he just collapsed. Due to the current rules, because he was an independent rider,… Read More »Vintage cycling image of the day: checkpoint at Tour de France 1911

French winner Maurice Garin and other cyclists looking into the camera at the Tour de France 1903

From Garin to Catteau – top10 cyclists of Tour de France 1903

Surely, most cycling fans know, that Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France in 1903. But have you ever wonder, who else were in the top ten of the first edition? This post might answer your question. 1. Maurice Garin (1871-1957) One of the stars of the early years of road cycling races. Read more>> 2 .Lucien Pothier (1883-1957) Notable French cyclist from the turn of the century. His second place at Tour de France 1903 was his best result. He was among the disqualified riders next year. There is a rather funny anecdote about him and François Faber:  in 1903 they supposed to ride the one-day race Bordeaux-Paris, but on the night prior… Read More »From Garin to Catteau – top10 cyclists of Tour de France 1903

Vintage black and white image of Tour de France in 1926. Two riders are riding in the road, while a cow is watching them from the roadside.

Vintage cycling image of the day: first stage of Tour de France 1926

In 1926, Tour de France started outside Paris for the very first time. In 1926, Evian, the famous high-market holiday resort and spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva, hosted the start of the first stage. It was 373 km long, finished in Mulhouse. Jules Buysse was the winner of the day. MORE TOUR DE FRANCE IN THE 1920s [su_posts posts_per_page=”7″ tax_term=”454″ order=”desc”]  

Vintage black and white image of Tour de France in 1926. Two riders are riding in the road, while a cow is watching them from the roadside.

First time Tour de France started outside Paris (1926)

Since the first ever edition of Tour de France in 1903, the race always started in Paris. In 1926, Evian, the famous high-market holiday resort and spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva, hosted the start of the first stage. It was 373 km long, finished in Mulhouse. Jules Buysse was the winner of the day. MORE TOUR DE FRANCE FUN FACTS [su_posts posts_per_page=”7″ tax_term=”456″ order=”desc”] MORE TOUR DE FRANCE IN THE 1920S ON PELOTONTALES [su_posts posts_per_page=”7″ tax_term=”454″ order=”desc”]  

Gustaaf Deloor, the winner of the first Vuelta a Espana with his brother, Alfons Deloor

Gustaaf Deloor and Roger Riviére were your favourite cyclists on week 47 in 2022

Most popular posts from the history of road cycling on PelotonTales during the previous week Roger Riviére, the  talented cyclist with a tragically short professional career Rivière, who already competed the Tour de France previous year (and won a stage), was a careless kind of a talent. When he made his move on the 6th stage, he was told by team manager Marcel Bidot to give up his attack, because the riders could go with him, Gastone Nencini and Jan Adriaensens considered to be too dangerous opponents, he ignored the advice. As Henry Anglade later commented his behaviour, most likely this was the moment when the French team lost the Tour de France that year.… Read More »Gustaaf Deloor and Roger Riviére were your favourite cyclists on week 47 in 2022

Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali

Fausto Coppi or Gino Bartali? Quickfire quiz on PelotonTales

Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali were two of the biggest legends of road cycling. They both were Italian, raced during (almost) the same time period, and were teammates and rivals at the same time. The rivalry between them had grown beyond the cycling world. Cheering for any of them meant to be even a choice of political view and lifestyle. Now here is a little quiz about them. Each question has only two options: Fausto Coppi or Gino Bartali? Let’s see, how many correct answers  you get. [ays_quiz id=’3′] More quizzies on PelotonTales>>  If you like PelotonTales blog, please support it with a small donation  Thank you!  

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

The Tour de France stage, that started at 9 pm

In the early days of road cycling races, when the courses were over 300 km long or even longer and the riders sat in the saddle for a half a day (or even longer), it was usual, that the race started in the middle of the night or very early at dawn. It was the case also at the first Tour de France in 1903, but the last stage (6th stage, 471 km between Nantes and Paris) started even earlier than usual: previous day at 9 pm. The stage, as the general classification of the race was won by Maurice Garin.  MORE ABOUT THE FIRST TOUR DE FRANCE [su_posts posts_per_page=”7″ taxonomy=”post_tag” tax_term=”51″ order=”desc”] MORE TOUR… Read More »The Tour de France stage, that started at 9 pm

Fausto Coppi at the Tour de France 1952

Puy de Dôme first time at the Tour de France (1952)

1952 was an extraordinary year in the history of Tour de France, not only because the terrific performance of Fausto Coppi. But also, it was the first time, when a Tour de France stage ended on the top of the ascent: this was the legendary debut of Alpe d’Huez. The program of the 39th Tour de France included a total of three summit finishes. Besides Alpe d’Huez (10th stage) and Sestriere (11th stage),the peloton also visited Puy de Dome (21st stage) for the very first time.The first conquerer of the summit was Fausto Coppi, who won all three hilltop finish stages that year. He dominated the race so much, that after the 11th stage the organizers… Read More »Puy de Dôme first time at the Tour de France (1952)

Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil on the Puy de Dôme, Tour de France 1964

Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

The world of road cycling sometimes loves the second placed riders more than the winners. It’s especially the case of French cyclist, “The Eternal Second”, Raymond Poulidor (1936-2019), who rode Tour de France 14 times, he completed 12 of them, finished second of the general classification 3 times, and third 5 times. But he never wore the yellow jersey. (Which made the moment, when his grandson Mathieu van der Poel claimed the famous jersey in 2021 even more unique). Raymond Poulidor’s best years collided with Jacques Anquetil’s best years, their duel reached its peak at the Tour de France in 1964.1 Poulidor was more agressive, attack-friendly rider, who was good in the mountains, while Anquetil… Read More »Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

Ronde van Vlaanderen 1987 - the danish rider Jesper Skibby crashed on Kopenberg

Jesper Skibby’s crash on the Koppenberg (Ronde van Vlaanderen 1987)

In 1987, Skibby rode solo at the head of the race, when he reached Koppenberg. He had an advantage of two minutes, but climbing the hill he became slower and slower and the peloton came closer. The car of the race commissaire followed Skibby so close, that when they wanted to move away, the car knocked Skibby, who fell to the ground. The car run over his back wheel and narrowingly missed his legs. Skibby’s race was over.