The Tour de France had grow to the toughest sport within the world. When non -cyclist journalist, Albert Lourdes, covered the event in 1924, he located that the riders had a startlingly little morale, acting many like men he had written about who were imprisoned in French penal colonies. He referred to riders as Les Forcats de la Route- convicts regarding the road. The race seemed to be sprint only to sell newspapers. Morale was little and it wasn't helped by the lack of a French winner. First 4 races subsequent to the globe were won by Belgians. Finally, in 1923, Henri Pelissier won, the host country's only win between 1910 and 1930. Thus began the host country's love/hate affair together with the race. This attitude continues today. For example, during the doping scandals regarding the 1990s, many French had sympathy rather than disgust for it. The Yellow Jersey The well-known yellow jersey was worn for first time following World War I. Consequently it is now the highest many coveted garment in cycling, first rider who was ever offered it, rejected it. He did not need to grow to a moving target for his rivals. The Winners: * 1919 Firmin Lambot (Bel) * 1920 Philippe Thys (Bel) * 1921 Leon Scieur (Bel) * 1922 Firmin Lambot (Bel) * 1923 Henri Pelissier (Fra) * 1924 Ottavio Bottecchia (Ita) * 1925 Ottavio Bottecchia (Ita) * 1926 Lucien Buysse (Bel)
* 1927 Nicolas Frantz (Lux) * 1928 Nicolas Frantz (Lux) * 1929 Maurice De Waele (Bel) By 1920, the race was now 5,500 kilometers in length, with long overnight stages and crazy, draconian rules. For example, riders were still restricted from getting outside technical assistance and they could not change bicycles or even clothes. Riders should finish each stage with everything they had started with. The defending champion of 1924, Henri Pelissier, and his brothers quit the race. Their issue was clothing. Races started very early within the day, when it was still cold but the race continued into the heat regarding the day. Little wonder that riders stripped in layers. Pelissier quit in disgust. Races during the 1920s spoke about very many related to the Europe regarding the day. In 1924 and repeatedly a year later, Ottavio Bottecchia of Italy won. He became two of his country's primary hobbies figure. Then, in 1927, he was murdered while on an education ride. It became obvious that not everyone appreciated his success. Some even feared it. A deathbed confession years later confirmed what many had long suspected. He had been murdered by Fascists. The 1920s were overshadowed by the overt commercialism regarding the race. It also did not help that the French had only won once, in 1923. Team time trials and local squads were experimented with. Substitute riders should return off the bench if a rider was injured. Everyone had to ride identical bikes. The tour's popularity had begin to waiver. All of these changes were short-lived but they did have one primary benefit. They allowed France to build a strong force. France won first 5 tours regarding the 1930s. Technological Advances In 1937, the derailleur system was introduced. This allowed riders to change gears without possessing to remove wheels. Previously, riders should need to dismount sequential to change their wheel from downhill to uphill mode. The Tour de France had proven it should adapt sequential to survive. It had gained return local appeal and respect. Whether you liked this article, you will locate more Tour de France the past articles and this year's Tour schedule at: Tour de France stags & schedule & the past 2007 tour de france World's greatest bicycle race - Le Tour
No comments:
Post a Comment