Tour de France in the 1930s

The most scandalous Tour de France ever

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

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 … Read more

30 July 1939 – The last Tour de France before WWII ends

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Sylvére Maes, winner if the Tour de France in 2939 on the descent of Col d' Izoard

The 33rd Tour de France was held between 10th and 30th July 1939. This was the last Tour de France before the 2nd world war. The next edition was held 1947. Because of the tense political situation in Europe, Italy, Spain and Germany didn’t took part in the competition, which means, Gino Bartali couldn’t defend … Read more