The early history of Tour de France is full with strange stories. Not necessarily great stories, sometimes quite unpleasant ones, as it, for example, happened at the 9th edition (1911) of the famous French grand tour.
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 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, not competing in a sponsored team, he wasn’t allowed to receive any help. Other riders passig by could see him vomiting. Duboc still managed to get back on his bike and finished the stage, but lost any chance to win the general classification.
It must have been some kind of poisoning, and most likely connected to François Lafourcade, who was a good climber and regarded Duboc as his biggest rival. But back in those days, crazy cycling fans accused Gustave Garrigou, the race leader, who even had to ride the race in disguise, when the route went through Duboc’s hometown.
At the end, his 2nd in overall was Duboc’s best place ever at The Tour de France. He participated the race other 4 times (1914, 1919, 1923 and 1927), but never repeated or outshined his performance in 1911. He was even disqualified in 1919 for using a borrowed car to gain advance.
MORE STORIES AND FUN FACTS FROM THE EARLY YEARS OF TOUR DE FRANCE ON PELOTONTALES
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).
Climbing Col d’Allos at Tour de France 1914 -Vintage cycling image of the day
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 … Read more
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
Faces from the peloton: Hippolyte Aucouturier (1876-1944)
Although the idea of a French cyclist in a striped shirt might seem like a little bit of a cliché, sometimes stereotypes are carrying quite much truth in themselves. Just take a look at Hippolyte Aucouturier! One of the most iconic characters from the early days of road cycling races. Nevertheless, he was not only … Read more
Introducing Col du Tourmalet to Tour de France
It was a great moment and yet one of the weirdest situations in the history of Tour de France, when and, it seems to be more important, how the organisers decided to put Col du Tourmalet in the program. Crossed Tourmalet stop. Very good road stop. Perfectly passable. -stood in the telegram Alphonse Steinès sent … Read more
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
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
(leadpic: Paul Duboc at a checkpoint, Tour de France 1911)