Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Emmanuel
Did you know that the Tour de France dates back over a century ago when the cycling industry was not as popular as it is today?
But how has the Tour de France changed since it started in 1903 would you want to know? Let’s share content showing how the TdF has evolved throughout history so you know its ins and outs better.
Table of Contents
How Did the Tour de France Start In 1903?
The story of the beginning of the Tour de France is somewhat fascinating; there were not as many professional riders as we have today when it started in 1903.
At that time, the sports newspaper “L’auto” organized the TdF for purely commercial reasons; the l’Auto owners wanted to promote it to the public.
It was a good deal because the sports newspaper L’auto increased its annual sales four times: other Tour de France annual events were unsuccessful due to a lack of proper organization.
However, as the French say “To something bad, good can happen”, this failure served as a lesson to the organizers who succeeded in the following editions.
At the same time, the Tour de France organizers added more stages to cover most regions in France, so that many spectators could discover thsi prestigious cycling race.
They introduced the yellow jersey in 1919; many professional cyclists have worn it since then, including the Belgian Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Indurain, and Lance Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1998 to 2005 and many cycling enthusiasts liked him.
However, good things don’t last forever, Lance Armstrong was stripped from its TdF yellow jerseys in October 2012 following doping allegations.
Is the Tour de France Demanding For Professional Riders?
The Tour de France is not a breeze, expect to cover more than three thousand kilometers in twenty-one stages with your sweat effort.
During the 21 stages, you will endure many risks on the road, including accidents and illness; some riders abandon the race while many others happily run down the Champs Elysées at the last stage.
If you continue the race until the last stage in Paris, the iconic French capital, you will have spent so much energy that it will take a few days to recover.
Statistics show that Tour de France cyclists burn around five thousand calories daily, unlike marathon runners.
Also, you must belong to a team to participate in the Tour de France which some riders find brutal to endure for twenty-three days.
Flat terrain, descents, and climbs like in the Alps will cause you lots of suffering; ensure you have a strong body to succeed in the TdF.
The most prominent riders at the Tour de France in 2024 are Tadej Pogacar who won the 2020 and 2021 editions and Jonas Vingegaard for 2022 and 2023.
These two riders will fight hard for the 2024 Tour de France; God only knows who will come out on top.
Have Any Riders Competing In The Tour de France Ever Died?
Of course, three riders died on the TdF from its beginning in 1903, which is unfortunate.
- The Spanish Franciso Cepeda 1935; Cepeda plunged down a ravine on the Col du Galibier and lost his life.
- Tom Simpson from the United Kingdom died on this tour in 1967 during the 13th stage.
- The Italian Fabio Casartelli died on the Tour de France 1995 edition during the 15th stage in the Central Pyrenees.
The emergency help brought Fabio Casartelli to the nearby hospital by helicopter, but it was too late to save his life due to severe facial and head injuries.
It would help to wear a helmet when riding as many do now to protect your head and neck.
Can the Tour de France Riders Relieve Themselves During the Race?
Also, many ask if riders on the Tour de France can relieve themselves and the answer is yes; they do.
Like any other people, professional riders are humans who ride nearly thousands of miles during the one-stage TdF edition.
A cyclist who needs to pee during the race can do it at his convenience; the rules and regulations allow it.
The peloton typically slows up for the rider to relieve quickly and rejoin his teammates and opponents afterward.
Can International Tourism Benefit From the Tour de France?
Of course, the TDF can benefit international tourism, especially in France; people come from all walks of life to watch how cyclists fight body and soul to achieve the best ranking.
Be it from other European countries, North America, or anywhere else, millions visit France to watch their favorite cyclists or racing teams.
For example, you can rent camper vans for a few days to contemplate the peloton or stay in a hotel to enjoy the TdF while visiting other cities like Paris.
At the same time, you can promote your best offerings as a business owner during the TdF; many leverage it to reach millions of potential customers.
The Content Final Thoughts
That’s what we can tell about how the Tour de France has changed since it started in 1903; we hope this content is helpful.
From how the sports newspaper “L’auto” owners started the Tour de France to reach many in France to the best winners including Eddy Merckx and the most recent yellow jersey holders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, the TdF continues to excite many.
You can now plan to attend the next edition and visit different diffrent cities in France especially the most beautiful city in the world Paris; we will meet at the Champs Elysées.
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