The toughest Tour de France stage ever

Lucien Buysee in the Pyrenees on the 20th stage of Tour de France 1926

The 10th stage of Tour de France 1926 is often dubbed as the toughest stage ever in the history of the race. The 326 km long route between Bayonne and Luchon  on the 6th July 1926 went down in history also as one of the most chaotic ones thanks to the extreme weather conditions in … Read more

Puy de Dôme (Iconic places #2)

Puy de Dôme Tour de France

Tour de France 2023 presented a great gift for every road cycling history fans: after 35 years Puy de Dôme was reintroduced to the race. Although the 9th stage of Tour de France 2023 was only the 14th appearance of the ascent, it became one of the most iconic places in the history road cycling … Read more

Cyclists are having a little break and drinking beer at Tour de France 1921

the famous vintage cycling image of drinking beer at Tour de France 1921

From our special 21st centurian point of view, it’s hard to imagine the atmosphere of Tour de France in 1921, when it seemed totally normal to have a little break and some drink during the race. Although Tour de France was always a professional race, some solutions seem in our very modern eyes a bit … Read more

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

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)

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

Tour de France 1949

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

André Leducq and Nicolas Frantz at Tour de France 1928

André Leducq and Nicolas Frantz Tour de France 1928 Stage 19

PLEASE, SUPPORT PELOTONTALES!  If you like PelotonTales blog and want to help me a little to continue the work on this website, please consider a small donation. Thank  you for your support!  The 19th stage of Tour de France 1928 was a memorable day. Race leader Nicolas Frantz broke his bicycle’s frame with 100 km … Read more

Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes

Sylvère Maes Tour de France 1936

Two-time Tour de France winner Slyvère Maes was born on the 27th August 1909 in Zevekote, Belgium.

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Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Jan Nolten

Peloton&Tales Mini Cycling Who is Who: Jan Nolten

Jan Nolten was born on the 20th January 1930 in Sittard-Geelen, Netherland Nolten started his professional cyclist career in 1952. He rode Tour de France five times between 1952 and 1956. Although he never managed to finish the race among the top 10, he was an excellent grand tour rider. He as part of the … Read more