The Tour de France is the most prestigious and challenging cycling race in the world. It has been held every year since 1903, except for during the two world wars. The race covers more than 3,000 kilometers in 21 stages, across mountains, valleys, plains and cities. Along the way, it has produced some of the most iconic moments in sports history. Here are some of them:
Lance Armstrong’s comeback in 2003
Lance Armstrong was the dominant rider of his era, winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. But one of his most memorable moments came in 2003, when he faced a serious challenge from Jan Ullrich, his German rival. On stage 9, Armstrong crashed on a descent and had to cut across a field to rejoin the road. He then chased down Ullrich and beat him by 15 seconds at the finish line. It was a display of determination and skill that showed why he was the best.
Eddy Merckx’s first win in 1969
Eddy Merckx is widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time. He won five Tour de France titles, as well as many other races and records. His first Tour de France victory in 1969 was one of his most impressive feats. He won six stages, including the first and the last, and wore the yellow jersey from start to finish. In addition, he also won the points classification, the mountains classification and the best young rider award. He was the first and only rider to win all four classifications in one Tour.
Greg LeMond’s final sprint in 1989
Greg LeMond was the first American to win the Tour de France in 1986. He then suffered a near-fatal hunting accident in 1987 that left him with shotgun pellets in his body. He recovered and returned to the Tour in 1989, where he faced a fierce battle with Laurent Fignon, a French rider who had won the Tour twice before. The race came down to the final stage, a 24.5-kilometer individual time trial in Paris. LeMond used an aerodynamic helmet and handlebars to gain an advantage over Fignon, who had a traditional setup. LeMond rode like a man possessed and beat Fignon by eight seconds, the smallest margin of victory in Tour history.
Marco Pantani’s double in 1998
Marco Pantani was an Italian climber who excelled on the steep slopes of the mountains. He was also a charismatic and popular figure who inspired many fans with his attacking style. In 1998, he achieved a rare feat: he won both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, the two most important stage races in cycling. He did so by dominating the mountain stages, where he left his rivals behind with his explosive accelerations. He also had to overcome adversity, as he was briefly expelled from the Giro for failing a blood test, but was later reinstated.
Chris Froome’s run on Mont Ventoux in 2016
Chris Froome is one of the most successful riders of the modern era, having won four Tour de France titles and two other Grand Tours. He is known for his strength on both climbs and time trials, as well as his tactical acumen and teamwork. But one of his most unusual moments came in 2016, on stage 12 of the Tour de France. The stage finished on Mont Ventoux, a legendary mountain that has witnessed many epic battles. Froome was leading the race when he crashed into a motorbike that had stopped due to a crowd of spectators. His bike was damaged and he had to run up the hill until he got a replacement bike from his team car. He lost some time but managed to keep his yellow jersey.
Giuseppe Guerini’s collision with a spectator in 1999
Giuseppe Guerini was an Italian rider who specialized in climbing. He was part of the Telekom team that supported Jan Ullrich, but he also had some chances to win stages for himself. On stage 10 of the 1999 Tour de France, he was leading the race on the Alpe d’Huez, one of the most famous and crowded climbs in cycling. As he approached the finish line, a spectator stepped in front of him to take a photograph and caused him to crash. Guerini was not seriously injured and managed to get back on his bike and win the stage by 21 seconds. He later received an apology and a new camera from the spectator.
Fabio Casartelli’s death in 1995
Fabio Casartelli was an Italian rider who had won the Olympic gold medal in 1992. He joined the Motorola team in 1994 and became a teammate and friend of Lance Armstrong. On stage 15 of the 1995 Tour de France, he was part of a breakaway group that descended the Col du Portet d’Aspet, a dangerous mountain pass. He lost control of his bike and hit his head on a concrete barrier. He suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot. His death shocked and saddened the cycling world. The next day, his teammates led the peloton to honor his memory. Armstrong later dedicated his first Tour de France win in 1999 to Casartelli.
Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor’s duel in 1964
Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor were two of the greatest French riders of their generation. They had a fierce rivalry that divided the nation into two camps: the supporters of Anquetil, the elegant and confident champion who had won four Tour de France titles, and the supporters of Poulidor, the humble and resilient challenger who had never won the Tour. On stage 20 of the 1964 Tour de France, they faced each other on the Puy de Dôme, a steep volcanic peak. They rode shoulder to shoulder, looking into each other’s eyes, as they fought for every second. Poulidor managed to drop Anquetil and gain 42 seconds, but it was not enough to overcome Anquetil’s lead. Anquetil won his fifth and final Tour by 55 seconds over Poulidor.
Tom Simpson’s death in 1967
Tom Simpson was a British rider who had won several prestigious races, including the world championship in 1965. He was one of the favorites for the 1967 Tour de France, but he suffered from illness, dehydration and exhaustion during the race. He also used amphetamines, a common practice at the time, to cope with the pain and fatigue. On stage 13, he collapsed on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, a barren and scorching mountain. He was given oxygen and CPR by his team doctor, but he could not be revived. He died of heart failure at the age of 29. His death raised awareness of the dangers of doping and prompted reforms in cycling.
Mark Cavendish’s record-breaking sprints in 2023
Mark Cavendish is a British sprinter who is considered one of the fastest and most successful riders in history. He has won 30 stages at the Tour de France, second only to Eddy Merckx’s 34. In 2023, he had a chance to equal or surpass Merckx’s record, as there were several flat stages suited to his abilities. He did not disappoint his fans, as he won four stages in a row, from stage 4 to stage 7, beating his rivals with his explosive speed and timing. On stage 10, he achieved his ultimate goal: he won his 35th stage at the Tour de France, breaking Merckx’s record that had stood for almost half a century. He celebrated with tears of joy and gratitude, as he thanked his team and his supporters for their help and faith in him.
These are just some of the most iconic moments in Tour de France history. There are many more that could be mentioned, such as Tom Simpson’s death on Mont Ventoux in 1967, Bernard Hinault’s fight with protesters in 1984, Miguel Indurain’s five consecutive wins from 1991 to 1995, or Mark Cavendish’s record-breaking sprint victories. The Tour de France is a race that never ceases to amaze and inspire us with its drama, heroism and beauty.