Notes: History of the Tour de France

Introduction to the Tour de France

• Date of First Race: Began on 1 July 1903
• Duration: 19 days
• Stages: 6 stages

Purpose and Organization

• Promotional Tool: Organized to boost circulation of the French newspaper L’Auto.
• Initial Challenges:
  • Disappointing number of entrants
  • Original start date delayed by one month from 1 June to 1 July
• Adjustments Made:
  • Entrance fee reduced
  • Prize money increased
  • Daily payment promise for riders completing stages at an average speed of 20km/h or more

Race Details

• Starting Point: Montgeron, south of Paris
• Competitors:
  • 60 initial competitors
  • 39 private entrants
  • Additional 24 cyclists joined individual stages (not eligible for full prize money)
• Completion:
  • Race ended at Paris Velodrome on 19 July
  • 21 competitors completed every stage
  • Times were totaled for overall results (general classification)

Winner and Results

• Winner: Maurice Garin, a Frenchman
  • Finished almost three hours ahead of his nearest rival
  • Won again in 1904 but was later disqualified for unspecified reasons

Course Details

• Length: Total of 2,428 km
• Stage Length: Each stage was more than double today's length
• Terrain:
  • Majority of the course was flat
  • Significant ascent in only one stage
  • Some smaller climbs

Comparison to Modern Tour de France

• Today's race involves aggressive mountain climbs throughout
• The 1903 race had much longer stages with predominantly flat terrain.