5 facts about Tour de France 1903
The first Tour de France started at 3 pm on the 1st of July in 1903 from the Café au Reveil Matin (Paris).
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Tour de France History
Stories from the history of the most famous cycling race of the world. Learn more about the history of Tour de France. Peloton&Tales Tour de France history category.
When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
Defining historical events of the 20th century often left their marks on road cycling history. Just think about, for istance, the impact of World War 1 on the mythology of some famous races, like Paris-Roubaix. The born of the famous phase of “Hell of the North” is a quite well known story among cycling fans. On the other hand, even when someone is quite familiar with the history of Tour de France’s early years, sometimes just bumps into something, which could raise so many questions. Like those few Tour de France editions, when the race visited Alsace -Lorraine, the territory occupied by the Germans in those days. TOUR DE FRANCE CROSSING THE… Read More »When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
Four scandalous Tour de France editions
In its more than 120-year-long history Tour de France, the most famous road cycling race of the world witnessed good time and bad time either. It had plenty of glourious moments, but also some shameful ones. Here are the four (arguably) most scandalous editions in the history of Tour de France . 1904 – an almost untimely end of a great story The first Tour de France was a great success, not only financially, but participating in the race brought fame and prestige to the riders either. Unfortunately, when sport events have such a high stake, cheating becomes pivotal part of the happenings. Actually, at the second edition of the race, riders and fans went… Read More »Four scandalous Tour de France editions
The years of La Sportive consortium (1919- 1921)
Although Henri Desgrange was always keen to preserve Tour de France as a competition for individuals1, cyclists who were sponsored by the same bicycle manufacture naturally worked as a team. Alcyon for example, delivered four overall victories (François Faber, 1909; Octave Lapize,1910 ; Gustave Garrigou, 1911; Odyle Defraye, 1912) before 1914 and dominated most of the editions of the race during the 1920s. World War I had a devastating impact on the French economy2, obviously on the life of the bicycle manufactures too. When Tour de France was held for the first time after the war in 1919, even the most notable companies were struggling to help their riders properly. But they wanted to keep… Read More »The years of La Sportive consortium (1919- 1921)
Winning the Tour de France without wearing the yellow jersey
Since the introduction of the yellow jersey in 1919, there were only two cyclists to win the race with taking the first place in the general classification in the last stage. Thus they didn’t have the opportunity to wear the yellow jersey during that particular edition of Tour de France. Jean Robic (1947) After the penultimate stage Pierre Bambrilla was leading the general classification. The last stage was flat, but included a hill not far from its start, with a special prize for the cyclist, who crosses the top first. Jean Robic was unaware, that a breakaway group already climbed the hill, so he attacked. When he (4th in the GC before the stage) and… Read More »Winning the Tour de France without wearing the yellow jersey
Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes
Two-time Tour de France winner Slyvère Maes was born on the 27th August 1909 in Zevekote, Belgium.Read More »Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes
Tour de France 1937
The 31st Tour de France was held between 30 June and 25 July in 1937. The route was 4415 km long, divided into 20 stages (many of them had a and b parts).Read More »Tour de France 1937
Crash on the Tourmalet (Tour de France 1937)
Col du Tourmalet was included in the program of the 15th stage alongside with its good old companies: Col de Peyresourde, Col d’ Aubisque and Col d’Aspen. The 194 km long stage between Luchon and Pau was won by Julian Berrendero. Sylvére Maes extended his lead in the GC against Roger Lapebie. A few days later the entire Belgian team left the race due to controversies. Lapebie won the Tour de France. FOLLOW PELOTON&TALES ON INSTAGRAM [instagram-feed] RELATED POSTS Tour de France 1937 Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Sylvère Maes Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Roger Lapébie
Amédée Fournier -Tour de France 1939
Amédée Fournier ‘s only participation in Tour de France was in 1939. He won two stages (1 and 5) and wore the yellow jersey for on day.
Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Roger Lapébie
Roger Lapebie was born on the 16th of January 1911 in Bayonne (France). He made his Tour de France debut with a stage win (Stage 12) in 1932. He was part of the French national team again in the two subsequent years. In 1934 he won five stages and finished third in the general classification. Roger Lapebie was infamous for his conflict with Henri Desgrange, the founding father of the Tour de France. Due to this feud, the cyclist, despite his promising performance, wasn’t selected into the national team, and he rode as an independent rider. He skipped the race next year. No wonder, that his biggest success, the winning of the Tour de France… Read More »Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Roger Lapébie