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4 July on this day

Eddy Merckx during Tour de France 1969

4 July 1969 Eddy Merckx takes the yellow jersey for the very first time

1969 was Eddy Merckx firts appearance at the Tour de France. He was already a Giro d’Italia winner (1968) and cemented his fame with severwl Monumment victories, especially at Milano-Sanremo. No wonder Merckx was considered also one of the favourites of Tour de France 1969. It took 6 stages (and a prologue) him to take over the lead. Stage 6 , on the 4th July of 1969, was a mountain stage inclunding Ballon d’Alsace. Merckx won the stage, while destroyed the dreams of some of the other favourites. It was a really strong peloton, including the Tour de France winners from precious years (Felice Gimondi 1965, Roger Pingeon 1967, Jan Janssen 1968). However, Merckx did… Read More »4 July 1969 Eddy Merckx takes the yellow jersey for the very first time

Emile Georget struggling through the snowy and unpaved roads in the Alps, possibly on Galibier during Tour de France 1911

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 2025. (Leadpicture: Emile Georget in the Alps, possibly during Tour de France 1911)

4 July 1969 Eddy Merckx’s first ever Tour de France stage victory

It was the 133 km long 6th stage from Mulhouse to the Ballon d’Alsace at the Tour de France 1969, when Eddy Merckx celebrated his first Tour de France stage victory. Although Merckx was a Tour de France debutant in 1969, the peloton already knew him very well. He already won the Giro d’Italia (1968) and several one-day classics (including 4 of the 5 monuments).