retro cycling

Felicien Vervaecke’s bad luck (Tour de France 1936)

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Felicien Vervaecke Tourmalet 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

The first Vuelta-Tour double (Jacques Anquetil, 1963)

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Federico Bahamontes ans Jacques Anquetil Tour de France 1963

When Jacques Anquetil won Vuelta a Espana on 15th May, he became the first rider in the history of cycling to win all three Grand Tours at least one time. When he managed to win also the Tour de France that year, he became the first rider to make the Vuelta-Tour double. By the way, … Read more

The story of the Maglia Nera (Giro d’Italia 1946-1951)

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Italian cyclist Luigi Malabrocca wearing the so-called maglia nera jersey awarded to the last rider of the general classification, at the Giro d'Italia 1947.

Between 1946 and 1951 a special jersey was awarded to the last cyclist in the general classification of the Giro d ‘Italia, called Maglia Nera. The idea came from a story in the 1920s. A football player, called Giuseppe Ticozzelli was such a cycling enthusiast, that he attended the race as an individual rider in … Read more

Tour de France 1949

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The 36th Tour de France was held between 20 June and 24 July 1949.  The route was divided into 21 stages and included 4808 km. This was the first time the race visited Spain (9th stage). They also took a trip to Belgium and Italy. The Tour de France in 1949 was one of the … Read more

Cycling Who’s Who: Hippolyte Aucouturier

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Hippolyte Aucouturier one of the most iconic riders from the early days of road cycling

Hippolyte Aucouturier, one of the most iconic riders in the early days of road cycling races, was born on the 17th October in 1876 in La Celle (France). Aucouturier won Paris-Roubaix among a rather chaotic circumstances in 1903. During the early years of the race, riders traditionally changed their bikes at the entrance of the … Read more

Sentenced to death and almost executed – twice!

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Paul Deman the winner of the first Ronde van Vlaanderen -sentenced tobdeath and almost executed twice!

Paul Deman was the first winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen (1913). During the WW1 he was working as a courier for underground resistance movements and carrying messages around Belgium and also in the Netherlands. In November 1918 he had already 14 successful missions, but unfortunately on the 15th, he was stopped by the Germans. … Read more

Cycling Who’s Who: Giovanni Brunero

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Peloton&Tales Cycling Who's Who: Giovanni Brunero

Giovanni Brunero was born on the 4 October 1895 in San Maurizio Canavese, Italy. Brunero was the first rider to win the Giro d’Italia 3 times (1921, 1922, 1926), which was a remarkable result during the era of Costante Girardengo and  Alfredo Binda. On the other hand, Brunero’s triumphs seemed to be not entirely undisputable. … Read more

18 April 1969 – Guido Reybrouck’s victory at Amstel Gold Race

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The 4th edition of Amstel Gold Race stretched 259 km, started in Helmond, finished in Meerssen. Hail and snow made the competition difficult, 132 riders started the race, but only 36 finished it. This was Reybrouck’s only one victory at Amstel Gold Race.  Jon Huysmans finished 2nd, Eddy Merckx 3rd.