Tour de France 1914 started on the same day, 28th June, as the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg were assassinated in Sarajevo. When the riders lined up in the middle of the nigh for the start of the first stage in Paris, they knew nothing about that this day would determinate the life of millions worldwide.
They did not know either, that on 28th July, just two days after they finished the Tour de France, the Great War would break out and some of the cyclists would lose their life during the fights, including François Faber, who is among the three riders depicted on this image.
The Alps were important part of Tour de France since 1911, so was the ascent Col d'Allos. In this early period of Tour de France, when the race visited the Alps, it visited also Col d'Allons.
The 10th stage on 16 July was 323 km long, run between Nice and Grenoble. The program also included Col Bayard, which might be better known from history: Napoleon Bonaparte crossed the place on his return from Elba.
Belgian cyclist Philippe Thys, winner of previous year, dominated the race since the beginning, and was leading the general classification since the first Pyrenees stage (stage 6) of this edition. Thys won the race also in 1914. And once again, after the war in 1920, which made him the first 3-time winner in the history of Tour de France.
The 10th stage was won by Henri Pelissier (a future Tour de France winner, and one of the French winners with a tragic privat life). Pelissier had a quite good Tour de France in 1914. He won 3 stages (two of them in the mountains), was involved in the actions most in the mountain stages and finished second in the general classification 1minute and 50 seconds behind Thys.
Also the third cyclist on the picture, François Faber (winner of Tour de France 1909) won two stages and finished 9th in the general classification in 1914. Sadly, this was his last Tour de France every, he was killed in the war less than a year later.
There is a simple reason, why on PelotonTales blog there is a category called Tour de France the early years ( 1903-1914) The Great War and the five year hiatus of racing changed a lot in the world of road cycling races. Even when many riders from the top ten of 1914, like Thys, Pelissier, Firmin Lambot (winner of Tour de France 1919 and 1922) , or Jean Alavoine had some (smaller or bigger) success after 1919, the first big chhapter of Tour de France ended on the day when the peloton arrived back in Paris on 26 July 1914.
5 facts about Tour de France 1903
The first Tour de France started at 3 pm on the 1st of July in 1903 from the Café au Reveil Matin (Paris).
15 July 1909 Francois Faber wins his5th consecutive stage
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
4 July 1906 Tour de France visits Lille for the very first time
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
When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
Defining historical events of the 20th century often left their marks on road cycling history. Just think about, for istance, the impact of World War 1 on the mythology of some famous races, like Paris-Roubaix. The born of the famous phase of “Hell of the North” is a quite well known story among cycling fans.… Read More »When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
Four scandalous Tour de France editions
In its more than 120-year-long history Tour de France, the most famous road cycling race of the world witnessed good time and bad time either. It had plenty of glourious moments, but also some shameful ones. Here are the four (arguably) most scandalous editions in the history of Tour de France . 1904 – an… Read More »Four scandalous Tour de France editions
9 August 1908 Lucien Petit-Breton wins his second Tour de France
Lucien Petit-Breton was the winner of Tour de France 1907. Therefore his victory in 1908 ment that he was the first rider to win the Tour de Framce twice. Important note: Although Maurice Garin, the winner of the first Tour de France won also the edition of 1904, he later was disqualified.
10 July 1911 The first mountain stage in the Alps at Tour de France
After the introduction of the Pyrenees to the race in 1910, the next big challenge of Tour de France was how to include the “giants of the Alps” into the program. The story behind using Galibier, Thelegraphe, Aravis, and Lautarer was far less dramatic than the organizers’ first encounter with Col du Tourmalet. Nevertheless, the… Read More »10 July 1911 The first mountain stage in the Alps at Tour de France
Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
In 1954, Louison Bobet entered the Tour de France as the reigning champion, carrying with him not only the weight of his title but also the hopes of an entire nation. The French public was eager to witness the rise of a new era in cycling, one marked by the dominance of a great French… Read More »Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
Antonin Magne on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1931)
The Col d’Aubisque is a true veteran among the iconic ascents of the Pyrenees, steeped in cycling history and tradition. This legendary climb has been a fixture in the Tour de France since 1910, when the race ventured into the high mountains for the very first time.
The start of Tour de France 1932
Although Tour de France started outside Paris for the first time in 1926, race organizers used the good old concept to start the event in Paris even during the subsequent years. Only after World War II became a custom to start Tour de France elsewhere in France. And in 1954 the race witnessed its first… Read More »The start of Tour de France 1932
Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
Col du Galibier is one of the oldest participats among the ascents the peloton of Tour de France used to climb in the Alps. It was already part the program of the 1911 edition when the race visited the Alps for the very first time. In 1936, Col du Galibier, alongside with Thélégraphe… Read More »Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1955)
Mont Ventoux was introduced to Tour de France in 1951 (one year earlier than Alpe d’Huez and Puy de Dôme). At the first three occasions (1951, 1954 and 1955) the peloton crossed the top during mid-race, the first summit finish was organized only in 1958. The 11th stage of the 1955 Tour de France began… Read More »Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1955)
What is in your bag? (Felice Gimondi and Eddy Merckx 1967)
Felice Gimondi’s cycling career is remembered for his remarkable ability to compete at the highest level during the same era as the legendary Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Despite Merckx’s dominance, Gimondi achieved numerous significant victories, including all three Grand Tours—Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta… Read More »What is in your bag? (Felice Gimondi and Eddy Merckx 1967)
Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali during Tour de France 1949
The 1949 Tour de France marked a high point in the legendary rivalry between two Italian cycling icons, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. Bartali had already claimed two Tour victories (1938 and 1948), while Coppi, though a three-time Giro d’Italia champion (1940, 1947, 1949), was making his Tour debut. Determined to make history, Coppi aimed… Read More »Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali during Tour de France 1949