First Tour de France Cycling Race

The first Tour de France occurred from July 1 to July 19, 1903. It was a 19-day bicycle race covering approximately 2,428 kilometers (1,509 miles) across France. The race was organized by Henri Desgrange, a French sports journalist and editor of the newspaper L’Auto, as a way to boost the publication’s circulation.

• Date: July 1 – July 19, 1903
• The race consisted of six stages, with each stage taking place over multiple days.
• The first winner of the Tour de France was Maurice Garin, an Italian-born French cyclist. He completed the race in 94 hours, 33 minutes, and 14 seconds.
• Trivial Facts: Only 60 cyclists participated in the inaugural event, and only 21 finished the race. Cyclists were not allowed to receive any assistance during the race, including from mechanics. They had to carry their own spare parts and repair their own bicycles. The yellow jersey, which signifies the overall race leader, was not introduced until 1919. In the race’s first edition, the leader wore a green armband.

The race’s popularity helped to increase bicycle sales and usage across Europe and the world. The Tour de France has since become one of the most prestigious and iconic annual sporting events, attracting millions of fans and spectators yearly.

• Effects on Pop Culture: The event has inspired the creation of other major cycling races, such as the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, forming the prestigious “Grand Tours.” Numerous movies, documentaries, and books have been made about the race, further cementing its place in popular culture.
• Prominent People and Countries Involved: Henri Desgrange (France) organized and founded the race. Maurice Garin (Italy/France) was the first winner of the Tour de France. As the host country, France has always played a significant role in the race’s history and development. Other countries have also become prominent in the race over the years, with cyclists from Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the United States, among others, achieving considerable success.