The first-ever Tour de France, a prestigious multi-stage bicycle race, took place on July 1, 1903. Known for being a grueling event, the Tour de France tests riders’ endurance over a course of approximately 2,200 miles featuring challenging and rugged terrain. This race attracts millions of in-person spectators and is also broadcast globally, reaching millions more viewers. Typically lasting three weeks, the event consists of 21 different stages and usually culminates in Paris, France. The Tour De France is still held annually in July, more than 100 years after its initial inception.

The Tour de France was established by a French newspaper, L’Auto, in an effort to increase its sales. The newspaper aimed to attract attention and improve its struggling performance by featuring a challenging endurance cycling race. The inaugural Tour de France proved to be a highly successful event for L’Auto, significantly boosting its sales and visibility. Over 60 riders participated in the event, and it was well-received by the spectators. The success of the first Tour de France set the stage for the continued evolution and prestige of the event today.

Fun Facts about the Tour de France: 

• In 1919, the yellow jersey was introduced to make the race leader more recognizable to spectators.
• The race has been held annually for over 100 years, with only two gaps during World War I and World War II. 
• Though it is called the Tour de France, the race has occasionally featured stages in other European countries, including the UK, Spain, and Italy. 
• Although individual riders compete for victory in the Tour de France, there is also an important team component. Teams play a crucial role in supporting their star riders by helping them conserve energy on specific routes, setting the pace, and shielding their leaders from wind and other elements.
• The first Tour de France was won by an Italian chimney sweeper named Maurice Garin. Garin won with a margin of over three hours, the largest winning margin in the event’s history.