There is a café in the Parisian suburb Mortgeon, that witnessed cycling history in 1903. Cafés played an important role in the early years of Tour de France helping to organise the races.
On the afternoon of 1 July 1903, people gathered on the street in front of the café Au Reveil Matin‘s building: the first Tour de France was ready to start.
Originally 78 riders signed up to the race, and 60 of them appeared at the startline. Some of them used pseudonyms, like the Belgian Julien Lootens, who signed up as “Samson”.
The first stage of the Tour de France started at 3:16 pm. It was 467 km long and finished in Lyon. Stage winner Maurice Garin spent 17 hours 45 mins and 13 secs in the saddle.
MORE TOUR DE FRANCE HISTORY FROM THE EARLY YEARS (1903-1914)
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