1 July 1903 The first Tour de France started

The first Tour de France started on the 1July 1903

The first Tour de France was held between 1 and 18 July 1903, included only 6 stages. (However, the complete route was 2428 km long.)60 riders started and 21 finished the race.The fist Tour de France was won by Maurice Garin.  

Green armband for the leader of the general classification

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

The legendary yellow jersey was introduced to Tour de France only in 1919. But already during the first edition of the race there was a sign distinguishing the  leader of the general classification from other participants: a green armband. Maurice Garin led the general classification from the very first stage and later won the race. MORE … Read more

5 facts about Tour de France 1904

Cyclists are arriving to a check points at the Tour de France 1904

One of the most scandalous editions of Tour de France was originally won by Maurice Garin. The first four cyclists of the general classification, Maurice Garin, Lucien Pothier, César Garin and Hippolyte Aucouturier were disquaified.

The Tour de France stage, that started at 9 pm

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

In the early days of road cycling races, when the courses were over 300 km long or even longer and the riders sat in the saddle for a half a day (or even longer), it was usual, that the race started in the middle of the night or very early at dawn. It was the … Read more

Tour de France winners: Maurice Garin (1903)

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

Maurice Garin (1871-1957), the winner of the first Tour de France became a professional cyclist only accidentally. Garin was racing as amateur already (he won his first race in 1893), when he decided to start at a race near to his hometown. He learned only at the start of the race, that this was an … Read more

19 July 1903 Maurice Garin wins the first Tour de France

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

The first Tour de France started with 60 riders  on the 1st of July in 1903. After six stages (a total of 2428 km) only 21 cyclists arrived in the Parc de Princes velodrome in Paris. Maurice Garin won the first stage already and remained in leading position untill the end of the race. More … Read more

Maurice Garin after winning Paris-Roubaix 1897

Iconic vintage cycling images: Paris-Roubaix 1897 Maurice Garin

The second edition of Paris-Roubaix was  held on the 18th April 1897. 32 professional and 28 amateur cyclists departed in the rainy Paris, but the 280 km long racerun mostly under sunny conditions. The Italian-born French Maurice Garin, who is best known for winning the first Tour de France in 1903, and the Duch Mathieu … Read more

Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Maurice Garin

Maurice Garin the winner of the first Tour de France

Maurice Garin, the winner of the first Tour de France was born on the 3rd of marc 1871 in Arvier, Aosta Valley, Italy. Garin became a professional rider by chance. He was already racing as an amateur (he won his first race in 1893) when he decided to ride a race nearby his home. He … Read more