Le Tour Fantastique
Time Line

The Tour de France has captivated athletes and fans around the world for eighty-three years.

Follow the time line from its wide-eyed inception to its current domination of an exceptional athelete.

 Winner's Circle

Review this chronological list of some of the world's

greatest atheletes this century has seen.

Group Riding Tips

Learn some of the inside tips that make the Tour de France a fast, grueling, and strategic sporting event.

Tour de France Quiz

If you are a Tour de France scholar, test your knowledge in this short quiz.


Time Line
1903-1914: The Pioneer Years

1919-1926: The Renewal Years

1927-1937: The Revolutionary Years

1938-1952: The Bartali-Coppi Years

1953-1960: The Bobet Years

1961-1968: The Anquetil-Poulidor Years

1969-1977: The Merckx Years

1978-1985: The Hinault Years

1986-1990: The Anglophone Years

1991-1995: The Indurain Years


Pioneer Years
1903-1914: The Pioneer Years

In France, the 1890s were known as the belle epoque. For the Americans, it was the roaring '90s. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and just about everyone was reaping the benefits. For many, the bicycle was a symbol of this new age: it was affordable and gave mobility to the masses. Cycling competitions sprouted everywhere, and the first stars emerged.

In keeping with the spirit of the age, organizers in France had grand visions.  Cyclists crossed vast parts of the country racing in the Bordeaux-Paris, or Paris-Brest-Paris competitions. French journalist Pierre Giffard, who organized the Paris-Brest-Paris event, said, "I wanted a race that would go to the end of the earth." The competition was a huge success, drawing hordes of enthusiasts. That, in turn, boosted sales and prestige to Giffard's newspaper, Le Petit Journal.

The competing sports daily L'Auto-Velo --- known later as L'Auto  -- jumped on the bandwagon and sponsored a larger event, the Cycling Tour de France. Two of the newspaper's employees, Geo Lefevre and Henri Desgrange, masterminded the idea of staging a herculean competition. Lefevre envisioned "something like a six-day (track) race, but on roads around France." Although initially skeptical, Desgrange warmed to the idea, eventually taking it under his wing. It proved to be the best move of his life. Today he is credited with being the father of the Tour de France. The maillot jaune, or leader's yellow jersey, bore the initials H.D. from 1919, when it  became part of the race, until 1983.


Renewal Years
1919-1926: The Renewal Years

World War I took its toll on all of Europe, and cycling was no exception. The Tour de France lost three winners in the war: 1909 winner Francois Faber of Luxembourg was slain on the Garancy battlefield, Frenchman Octave Lapize, the 1910 victor, was downed with his plane over Verdun and Lucien Mazon, the "Petit Breton" died in an automobile accident during a special mission.

 The population needed a joyous event to renew its spirits. The day after the Armistice,  Tour Director Henri Desgrange began organizing the 13th Tour de France.

  The war left fewer competitors and those who could still race were weaker and slower. Veteran riders continued to dominate, largely because many younger racers had been killed.


Revolutionary Years
1927-1937: The Revolutionary Years

Director Henri Desgrange experimented heavily with the Tour during this era, in an effort to create the ultimate challenge for the racers.

Beginning in 1927, Desgrange would add time trials, which forced riders to race against the clock. Sometimes, he went too far. In one instant, he designed a course where every stage was a race against the clock. This was not physically possible, but it gave fruit to the concept of the team time trial, which tests the strength of the team as a whole instead of testing individuals. Team trials add suspense to the Tour and are still vital today.

The "revolutionary years" also saw the first post-war generation of riders mature. None dominated, instead, each would take his turn at winning the Tour.


Bartali-Coppi Years
1938-1952: The Bartali-Coppi Years

The rivalry between Italian riders Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi remains one of the greatest duels in sports history and the duo dominated the Tour for nearly two decades. Bartali and Coppi couldn't be more different: Bartali represented the virtuous spirit of pastoral simplicity, while Coppi was the impeccable professional. The two did share one trait: they were gentlemen, and thus served as role models for other racers. Undoubtedly their rivalry would have intensified, had World War II not curtailed their careers.

Jacques Goddet, a disciple of Tour founder  Henri Desgrange, sought to keep the tradition alive when he took over as director. Goddet came from a journalistic background, like Desgrange, and Goddet filed nightly reports on the race even as Tour director. Goddet would be known for adding events strictly to sustain the suspense of the race.


Bobet Years
1953-1960: The Bobet Years

For six years, Frenchman Louison Bobet struggled for a Tour de France victory. During his second Tour in 1948, he won two stages and finished fourth. In 1950, he took one stage and finished third. In 1951, he won the stage over Mt. Ventoux, the first year the treacherous climb appeared, but he failed to win the title.

When he finally reached his goal, he was 28. France had recovered  from the war, and fans surged with national pride. Not only did Bobet break a string of five foreign-won victories, he went on to become the first rider to win the Tour three times in a row. Bobet became a cycling legend in his own time, and when he retired the race struggled to find another superstar. His successor, Frenchman Jacques Anquetil, would not achieve Bobet's stature until the 1960s.

 During Bobet's era, the concept of the national teams began to deteriorate because of infighting among the riders. This was quite a turnabout in team politics. In earlier years, the designated leader would get the support of his teammates. Now, team leaders were finding themselves challenged by their compatriots. By the next decade, the national teams would largely disappear.


Anquetil-Poulidor Years
1961-1968: The Anquetil-Poulidor Years

  French rider Jacques Anquetil would dominate the Tour in the early 1960s, and become the first five-time champion. He had won his first Tour in 1957, but it took him four years to develop into a strong consistent rider who was virtually unbeatable. The French would come to know him as Master Jacques, not only for his great strength and natural ability, but also for his reputation as a charismatic playboy.

 	One rider in particular, Frenchman Raymond Poulidor, sparked the competitor in Anquetil. The two enjoyed a fiery yet friendly rivalry that captivated the interest of French fans. Poulidor's integrity, evident during competition, earned him the endearing moniker, "Pou Pou."  He would be known as an eternal challenger, though. Poulidor never won a Tour.


Merckx Years
1969-1977: The Merckx Years

An insatiable appetite for winning would lead Belgian rider Eddy Merckx to command the Tour in the early 1970s, and spur another rider to dub him "The Cannibal." The name stuck, and not undeservedly.  Merckx matched the five Tour victories acquired by French rider Jacques Anquetil.  He wore the yellow jersey a record 96 days and  racked up 34 stage wins.

Merckx was such a skillful rider, he became a legend in his own time. He was elected his country's athlete of the century.


Hinault Years
1978-1985: The Hinault Years

The 1978 Tour saw a changing of the guard. The older cyclists began losing the energy and capacity to compete, once again setting the stage for a younger leader to emerge.

 Belgium's Eddy Merckx, who was suffering from intestinal problems, decided not to race. France's defending champion Bernard Thevenet was out of shape after spending much of the winter hospitalized. It turned out he developed an illness from taking performance-enhancing drugs. Belgian rider Lucien Van Impe, who was recovering from a broken collar bone, also sat out the Tour.

French rider Bernard Hinault seized the opportunity, although he'd been riding as a professional for just three years. In 1978, he won the Tour of Spain and then sailed to victory in the Tour de France. His feisty spirit earned him the nickname of the "Badger," and he dominated the Tour just as the "Cannibal" had done before him.


Anglophone Years
1986-1990: The Anglophone Years

English-speaking racers first took their places at the Tour de France starting line in the 1970s, but it took more than ten years for the Anglophones to become serious challengers.

American rider Greg Lemond won his first Tour in 1986, and from there on, English-speaking cyclists began etching their name on every national tour. Lemond went on to victory in the 1989 and 1990 Tours; American rider Andy Hempsten won the Tour of Italy in 1987 and 1988; and Irish rider Sean Kelly won the Tour de Spain in 1988.


Indurain Years
1991-1995: The Indurain Years

Belgium's Eddy Merckx won five Tour victories over a six year period. Spaniard Miguel Indrain outdid him by taking the top prze five times in a row. Indurain was relatively old when he nabbed his first title, he was 27. His victory created a great sensation but some critcs grumbled that he lacked flair and relied too much on his time trial superiority. With each succeeding victory, his critics grew quieter, and after winning an unprecedented five victories in a row, he is respected around the world as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport.


Winners Circle
1903: Maurice Garin

1904: Henri Cornet

1905: Louis Trousselier

1906: René Pottier

1907: Lucien Mazan (Petit Breton)

1908: Lucien Mazan (Petit Breton)

1909: François Faber

1910: Octave Lapize

1911: Gustave Garrigou

1912: Odile Defraye

1913: Philippe Thys

1914: Philippe Thys

1915: WW I

1916: WW I

1917: WW I

1918: WW I

1919: Firmin Lambot

1920: Philippe Thys

1921: Léon Scieur

1922: Firmin Lambot

1923: Henri Pélissier

1924: Ottavio Bottecchia

1925: Ottavio Bottecchia

1926: Lucien Buysse

1927: Nicolas Frantz

1928: Nicolas Frantz

1929: Maurice Dewaele

1930: André Leducq

1931: Antonin Magne

1932: André Leducq

1933: Georges Speicher

1934: Antonin Magne

1935: Romain Maes

1936: Sylvère Maes

1937: Roger Lapébie

1938: Gino Bartali

1939: Sylvère Maes

1940: WW II

1941: WW II

1942: WW II

1943: WW II

1945: Tour not yet reinstated

1946: Tour not yet reinstated

1947: Jean Robic

1948: Gino Bartali

1949: Fausto Coppi

1950: Ferdi Kubler

1951: Hugo Koblet

1952: Fausto Coppi

1953: Louison Bobet

1954: Louison Bobet

1955: Louison Bobet

1956: Roger Walkowiak

1957: Jacques Anquetil

1958: Charly Gaul

1959: Federico Bahamontès

1960: Gastone Nencini

1961: Jacques Anquetil

1962: Jacques Anquetil

1963: Jacques Anquetil

1964: Jacques Anquetil

1965: Felice Gimondi

1966: Lucien Aimar

1967: Roger Pingeon

1968: Jan Janssen

1969: Eddy Merckx

1970: Eddy Merckx

1971: Eddy Merckx

1972: Eddy Merckx

1973: Luis Ocana

1974: Eddy Merckx

1975: Bernard Thévenet

1976: Lucien Van Impe

1977: Bernard Thévenet

1978: Bernard Hinault

1979: Bernard Hinault

1980: Joop Zoetemelk

1981: Bernard Hinault

1982: Bernard Hinault

1983: Laurent Fignon

1984: Laurent Fignon

1985: Bernard Hinault

1986: Greg Lemond

1987: Stephen Roche

1988: Pedro Delgado

1989: Greg Lemond

1990: Greg Lemond

1991: Miguel Indurain

1992: Miguel Indurain

1993: Miguel Indurain

1994: Miguel Indurain

1995: Miguel Indurain


Riding Tips

There are some things that you just know are great the first time you try them.  For many of us the first experience of riding in a tight paceline was just such an enlightenment.  Here are some ways to make your group rides excellent.

*   Pacelines, Pacelines, Pacelines.  Single or double, rotating quickly or slowly but always smooth, tight, and enjoyable.  This is the single overriding feature common to every good group ride.

*   Wheelsitters are always welcome, but please stay at the back There's nothing more disruptive than someone who rotates to the front only to slow down on hitting the wind.  If you're feeling extended, tired, or otherwise not inclined to pull through there's no problem with sitting at the back, just let the riders who are rotating know when they've reached the back of the rotating section.

*   Accelerate slowly and with an eye to keeping the group together. Attacks, jumps, short-hard pulls and other race-like riding may be fine for certain smaller rides but have no place in a group oriented ride. I'm often surprised that novice riders sometimes think this kind of aggressive riding is better training than a good rotating paceline.

* A consistent pace is key.  Try establishing a pedaling rhythm before reaching the front, and then maintain.  If you're feeling especially strong accelerate gradually.  Don't forget to pedal harder on descents to make up for the extra aerodynamic resistance.

*   Go hard on the hills (and elsewhere) but don't forget to regroup. This doesn't mean waiting for every last straggler but always make a reasonable effort to regroup after the harder sections.

*   Don't open gaps!  If you find yourself behind a gap close it slowly.  A skilled group will remain in a tight paceline through 95% of an average ride including stops, corners, short climbs, descents, and traffic.

*   Don't point out every single pothole, oncoming car, or other obstacle.  Riders must take responsibility for themselves.  This means that everyone should be paying attention to the traffic and the road, even from the back.  The frontmost riders should point out unusual hazards of course, and steer the group gradually around glass, potholes, slower riders and such, but don't give others the impression that they can leave it up to other riders to watch the road ahead.

*   The lead riders are most responsible for the group's behavior and must take this into account at stop signs and lights.  Don't accelerate through a yellow light unless you know the back of the group can make it, too.  If the group does get split, ride slow until the rear group has caught back on.  If you're at the back please don't run the intersection just to maintain contact unless it is clear that traffic is waiting for the entire group to pass.

*   Don't accommodate elitist attitudes.  Perhaps the best thing about good group rides, aside from the training, is the socializing.  Team affiliation, racing experience, helmet use, type of bicycle, etc., are all matters of individual preference and should be left as such.  As long as the riders are safe and able to keep up they should be welcome.

*   Experienced riders should point out mistakes.  This must be done diplomatically, of course, but it is important to make people aware of unsafe riding, hard braking, cutting blind corners, unnecessarily obstructing traffic, etc.

*   It's also helpful to meet at a popular, central location.  Cafes, plazas, and bike shops are all good places to wait and talk before the ride starts.


Tour de France Quiz
1 -What color is the "maillot jaune"?

A) Pink

B) Red

C) Yellow

D) Green

2 -In which family have all the brothers worn the maillot jaune?

A) Masson

B) Madiot

C) Pélissier

D) Bobet

3 - Who has won four first stages in a row?

A) Darrigade

B) Sercu

C) Maertens

D) Vanderaerden

4 - Who has won the most consecutive stages?

A) Van Linden

B) Reybroeck

C) Caput

D) Faber

5 - Which Tour had the fewest contestants finish in Paris?

A) 1903

B) 1919

C) 1971

D) 1947

6 - Who has won the most stages?

A) Merckx

B) C. Pelissier

C) Christophe

D) Hinault

7- Who has won the most Tours?

A) Bottechia

B) Thys

C) Indurain

D) Leducq

E) Anquetil

F) Merckx

G) Lemond

H) Hinault

I) Bobet

8 - Who was the youngest to win the Tour?

A) Petit-Breton

B) Cornet

C) Fignon

D) Gimondi

9 - In what year did the Tour cover the most distance?

A) 1911

B) 1926

C) 1991

D) 1982

10- In what year did the Tour cover the least distance?

A) 1975

B) 1903

C) 1939

D) 1904

11- Largest winning margin?

A) 1969

B) 1928

C) 1903

D) 1910

12 - Who has won all the classifications, general, points, and mountains, in the same year?

A) Merckx

B) Hinault

C) Indurain

D) Coppi

13 - When was the first individual time trial in the Tour?

A) 1948

B) 1914

C) 1928

D) 1934

14 - Who has had the most days in the yellow jersey?

A) Hinault

B) Magne

C) Merckx

D) Anquetil

15 - Which years has the Tour gone to England?

A) 1934 & 1968

B) 1974 & 1994

C) 1964 & 1978

D) 1979 & 1985

16 - What is the name of the first American team in the Tour and when did it appear?

A) Bic - 1971

B) Subaru-Montgomery - 1993

C) Ford - 1965

D) 7-Eleven - 1985

17- From 1930 to 1961 the Tour included national teams.

What additional two years included the national formula?

A) 1978-79

B) 1955-56

C) 1925-26

D) 1967-68

18 - In what year(s) have riders from Luxembourg won the Tour?

A) 1921, 1959

B) 1929, 1938, 1954

C) 1919

D) 1909, 1927, 1928, 1958

19 - France has won its own Tour more than any other country.  How many times?

A) 29

B) 36

C) 25

D) 42

20 - Which two riders have won the climbing competition most often?

A) Trueba & Vietto

B) Vervaecke & Bartali

C) Bahamontes & Van Impe

D) Gaul & Merckx

21 - What was the slowest Tour in history?

A) 1920

B) 1904

C) 1924

D) 1919

22 - In which year was the green jersey introduced and who first wore it ?

A) 1953

B) 1930

C) 1939

D) 1962

23 - In which year did Eddy Merckx first lose the Tour?

A) 1968

B) 1977

C) 1975

D) 1971

24- Who has won the most stages without ever winning the Tour?

A) Raymond Poulidor

B) André Darrigade

C) Freddy Maertens

D) Gianni Bugno

25- What was the first mountain stage in the Tour?

A) The Tourmalet

B) Alpe d'Huez

C) The Ballon d'Alsace

D) The Izoard

26- Who was the first rider to win three Tours?

A) Ottavio Bottechia

B) Octave Lapize

C) Louison Bobet

D) Philippe Thys

27- In what year was the only stage cancelled?

A) 1904 when fans attacked riders

B) 1937 when Italian nationalists blocked the roads near Italy

C) 1982 when striking factory workers blocked the road

D) 1971 when driving rains made the mountains impassable

28- What year was the rear derailleur introduced to the Tour?

A) 1909

B) 1927

C) 1937

D) 1952

29- Who holds the record for the fastest prologue?

A) Miguel Indurain

B) Chris Boardman

C) Eddy Merckx

D) Bernard Hinault

30- Who won the first Tour?

A) Henri Desgrange

B) Jacques Goddet

C) Maurice Garin

D) Lucien Petit-Breton


Sorry
Sorry, Try Again.


Yellow
Yes, Yellow is correct.


Brothers
Yes, Pelissier, Henri - 1923, Francis - 1927, Charles - 1930, but only Henri won the Tour.


Darrigade
Yes, Andre Darrigade - 1956,57,58,59,61.


Faber
Yes, Francois Faber - 5 in 1909.


1919
Yes, 1919. It had 11.


Merckx
Yes, Eddy Merckx has won 34.


five
Yes, All the following have won five:  C)Indurain, H) Hinault, F) Merckx, E) Anquetil


youngest
Yes, Henri Cornet at age 20 in 1904.

The oldest is Firmin Lambot at age 36 in 1922.


1926
Yes, 1926 - 5795 km.


kilos
Yes, in both 1903 and 1904 the Tour covered 2428 km.


Garin
Yes, 1903, Garin over Pottier, 2 hr. 49 min.


Eddy
Yes,  Eddy Merckx - 1969.


1934
Yes, 1934, La Roche Sur Yon - Nantes, 90 km.


jersey
Yes, Eddy Merckx - 96 days.


england
Yes, 1974 & 1994.


7 eleven
Yes, 7 Eleven - 1985


67-68
Yes, 1967-1968


Luxem
Yes, 1909 - Francois Faber, 1927 & 28 - Nicolas Frantz , 1958 - Charly Gaul.


36
Yes, 36 times


climb
Yes,

Federico Bahamontés (Spain) - 1954,58,59,62,63,64

Lucien Van Impe (Belgium) - 1971,72,75,77,81,83


slow
Yes,  1924 - 23.958 k/h


fritz
Yes, 1953 - Fritz Schaer, Switzerland.


1975
Yes, 1975


22 stages
Yes, Darrigade, with 22 stages


1905
Yes, The Ballon d'Alsace in 1905


Thys
Yes, Philippe Thys in 1913, 1914 and 1920.


strike
Yes, 1982 when striking factory workers blocked the road


1937
Yes, 1937


prologue
Yes, Chris Boardman rode 55.152 kilometers an hour in 1994.


winner
Yes, Maurice Garin