The first stage of Tour de France in 1936 run in pouring rain.
As road cycling fans all over the world know, iconic images from the history of road racing often connected to extreme weather conditions. Yes we all know the iconic snowy Giro d’Italia images, or the photos capturing the epicness of a muddy Paris-Roubaix.
Sometimes also Tour de France delivers epic moments in terrible weather conditions, like in the case of “the toughest Tour de France stage ever“.
Or this epic moment on the first stage of the Tour de France in 1936:
The Tour de France in 1936 was a stirring edition in many ways.
Italy and Germany skipped the event for political reason.
Meanwhile, Josephine Baker visited the race and posed with the cyclists.
Also, this was the last time Henri Desgrange organized the Tour as race director. Or better to say, he started the race as director, but after the second stage he withdrawed himself due illness. And the era of Jacques Goddet as race director begun.
The Tour de France in 1936 was won by Sylvére Maes.
Georges Speicher at Paris-Roubaix 1935
Although Paris-Roubaix in 1936 was more important in the career of Tour de France winner (1933) cyclist Georges Speicher, one of the most popular funny vintage cycling images from the good old days of road cycling was taken one year earlier.Georges Speicher (1907-1978) was a French rider, the first cyclist who won Tour de France … Read more
André Leducq and Antonin Magne crossing the finish line together (Tour de France 1938)
Before Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault on the top of Alpe d’Huez, there were André Leducq and Antonin Magne in Paris. Two dominant French riders from the first part of the 1930s, both Leducq (1930 and 1932) and Magne (1931 and 1934) won the Tour de France twice. In the very last stage of Tour … Read more
Felicien Vervaecke’s bad luck (Tour de France 1936)
A Tour de France stage in the Pyrenees (especially, when it includes the big four, Peyresourde, Auspin, Aubisque and Tourmalet) always provides stories to tell. Belgian rider Felicien Vervaecke won the mountain competition of Tour de France twice, in 1935 and 1937. Before the 16th stage (Peyresourde, Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque) in 1936, he was 4 … Read more
Pouring rain at the Tour de France 1936
The first stage of Tour de France in 1936 run in pouring rain. As road cycling fans all over the world know, iconic images from the history of road racing often connected to extreme weather conditions. Yes we all know the iconic snowy Giro d’Italia images, or the photos capturing the epicness of a muddy … Read more
Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes
Two-time Tour de France winner Slyvère Maes was born on the 27th August 1909 in Zevekote, Belgium.