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Tour de France 1937

Roger Lapêbie, winner of the Tour de France 1937

25 July 1937 Roger Lapébie wins the Tour de France

The 31st Tour de France (held between 30th June and 25th July 1937) was the first race for the new director Jacques Goddet.  Since the beginning in 1903, Henri Desgrange, the “founding father of Tour de France” was the race director, now he has retired. He still visited the race frequently untill his death in 1940. The Tour de France in 1937 has not the best reputation. Actually,  it was marred by scandals.  The rules were changed, while the race was underway and they favoured the French team. No wonder, that the Belgian team, including the defending champion and the current man in the yellow, Sylvére Maes left the race. The 31th Tour de France… Read More »25 July 1937 Roger Lapébie wins the Tour de France

Italian two-time Tour de France winner and one of the greatest legends Gino Bartali climbing the Alps at Tour de France 1937

7 July 1937 Gino Bartali takes the yellow jersey for the very first time

Gino Bartali was already a two-time Giro d’Italia winner (1936 and 1937) when he first entered Tour de France in the summer of 1937.The years before World War II witnessed the growing political-military tension in Europe. In 1936, the year when Germany violated the Treaty of Versailles (1919) by sending troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, Germany and Italy boycotted Tour de France. But in 1937 they were back again. Fascist leaders are usually obsessed with sport successes, and the prototype of all  modern fascists leaders, Benito Mussolini was not different. He wanted an Italian Tour de France victory. ((At this time, Italy had already a Tour de France winner cyclist, two-time champion (1924 and 1925)… Read More »7 July 1937 Gino Bartali takes the yellow jersey for the very first time

French Tour de France winner Roger Lapebie crossing the railway during the scandalous edition of Tour de France in 1937

The most scandalous Tour de France ever

The first Tour de France without Henri Desgrange in charge since the creation of the event in 1903 didn’t go down well in the history of road cycling at all.   In 1937 Jacques Goddet was full in charge and with him came the first big change: it was the first time when gear change was allowed. Each team had its own car with extra material to help with mechanical problems. On the other hand, this was the last time riders without a team could attend the race. Nevertheless, these type of riders played an important role in this particular edition. This was the 31st edition, held between 30 June and 25 July in 1937.… Read More »The most scandalous Tour de France ever