The Story of the Tour de France - Volume 1: 1903-1975 cover art

The Story of the Tour de France - Volume 1: 1903-1975

How a Newspaper Promotion Became the Greatest Sporting Event in the World

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The Story of the Tour de France - Volume 1: 1903-1975

Written by: Bill McGann, Carol McGann
Narrated by: David L. Stanley
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At the dawn of the 20th century, French newspapers used bicycle races as promotions to build readership. Until 1903 these were one-day events. Looking to deliver a coup de grâce in a vicious circulation war, Henri Desgrange - editor of the Parisian sports magazine L’Auto - took the suggestion of one of his writers to organize a race that would last several days longer than anything else, like the six-day races on the track, but on the road.

That’s exactly what happened. For almost three weeks, the riders in the first Tour de France rode over dirt roads and cobblestones in a grand circumnavigation of France. The race was an electrifying success. Held annually (suspended only during the two World Wars), the Tour grew longer and more complex. Desgrange kept tinkering with an ever-changing set of rules for the Tour, looking for the perfect formula for his race.

Each year a new cast of riders assembles to contest what has now become the greatest sporting event in the world.

©2019 Bill McGann (P)2020 Bill McGann Cycling France United States Outdoor War
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Profile Image for Roberta W

Great TDF history!

A must read for all Tour de France fans, whether cyclists or couch potatoes (I am the latter). All of the history, every year, including standings. Folklore is shared and, where appropriate, debunked. It’s interesting to learn that initially riders had to repair their own bikes (!), rode through the night and had split-stage days (where 2-3 stages took place each day). I came to understand why Eddy Merckx was so celebrated (it was more than his cycling). I am writing this review on the same day that Mark Cavendish rode to just one win away from matching Merckx’s 34 stage wins, so it’s exciting to learn this history while witnessing new history being written.
I will be purchasing the next volume in this series.

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