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The first edition of the Tour de France in 1903 was a big success. Not only for the L’Auto, which was able to increase its sell numbers but for all the cycling fans in France. But the growing popularity of the event caused some unexpected issues right at the second edition of the race in 1904. The prestige of winning the race was too hight, riders and spectators went totally mad. Some riders were attacked and beaten by the fanatical supporters of other participants. Nails were thrown on the road and even the riders cheated very intensively. Numerous riders were disqualified during the race already, mostly accused of getting lifts in cars and taking illegal… Read More »Damaged by its own popularity (Tour de France 1904)

Jan Nolten was born on the 20th January 1930 in Sittard-Geelen, Netherland Nolten started his professional cyclist career in 1952. He rode Tour de France five times between 1952 and 1956. Although he never managed to finish the race among the top 10, he was an excellent grand tour rider. He as part of the actions alongside at many memorable stages. He also participated in Giro d!Italia (1954, 1956, 1957) and Vuelta a Espana (1955) Jan Nolten passed away on the 13rd July in 2014.

Col du Tourmalet was included in the program of the 15th stage alongside with its good old companies: Col de Peyresourde, Col d’ Aubisque and Col d’Aspen. The 194 km long stage between Luchon and Pau  was won by Julian Berrendero. Sylvére Maes extended his lead in the GC against Roger Lapebie. A few days later the entire Belgian team left the race due to controversies. Lapebie won the Tour de France. FOLLOW PELOTON&TALES ON INSTAGRAM [instagram-feed] RELATED POSTS    Tour de France 1937 Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Roger Lapébie  

Amédée Fournier ‘s only participation in Tour de France was in 1939. He won two stages (1 and 5) and wore the yellow jersey for on day.

The famous French dancer visited the peloton in 1936. This wasn’t the only occasion, she already made an appearance in 1933 on the first stage of the race. Sylvère Maes and especially his namesake Romain Maes surely enjoyed a fanboy moment.    

Roger Lapebie was born on the 16th of January 1911 in Bayonne (France). He made his Tour de France debut with a stage win (Stage 12) in 1932. He was part of the French national team again in the two subsequent years. In 1934 he won five stages and finished third in the general classification. Roger Lapebie was infamous for his conflict with Henri Desgrange, the founding father of the Tour de France.  Due to this feud, the cyclist, despite his promising performance, wasn’t selected into the national team, and he rode as an independent rider.  He skipped the race next year. No wonder, that his biggest success, the winning of the Tour de France… Read More »Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Roger Lapébie

Passo Giau was part of the program of Giro d’italia three times during the 2010’s (2012, 2013 and 2016). Two occasions of them happened to be the same years, when Vincenzo Nibali won the Giro d’Italia (2013, 2016) During the Giro d’Italia in 2013 Passo Giau was part of the legendary 20th stage, the snowy day up to the monster Trwe Cime Lavaredo. That stage was won by Vincenzo Nibali himself. He already rode in pink jersey during a Giro wich was marred by terrible weather conditions. The second occasion in 2016 was the 14th stage, when, on a more nicer, sunnier day, Esteban Chaves gained his ever first Giro d’italia stage victory. Also, Steven… Read More »Vincenzo Nibali on the Passo Giau