On July 1, the Tour de France will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As one of the most high-profile international road cycling events, the Tour has always been a darling of the sports world. However, in recent years, a series of doping scandals have thrust it into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
In 1903, Desgrange, then editor of the French newspaper L'Auto, decided to organize "the most important bicycle race in the world" to outdo its rival, Le Vélo. Thus, the first Tour de France was born. Little did anyone expect at the time that this event would last a century and become a major celebration for sports fans worldwide.
Despite a century of ups and downs, the Tour de France remains as vibrant and youthful as ever. In addition to the emergence of new star cyclists, the ever-changing routes and breathtaking scenery along the way continue to captivate audiences around the globe.
In 1906, the Tour de France saw its first cross-border stage in Germany. Within a few years, iconic landmarks such as the Pyrenees and the Alps were also included in the race route. In 1947, the Tour featured its first entirely foreign stage, from Brussels to Luxembourg. Soon after, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom also became part of the race. This year, the Tour will cover all 96 departments of France, with media cameras from around the world capturing the picturesque landscapes from above.
The champions of the Tour de France have always been the center of attention. From the first winner, Maurice Garin, to five-time champion Jacques Anquetil, and to the legendary Lance Armstrong, their performances every July have kept sports fans on the edge of their seats.
The new millennium has been both a blessing and a curse for the Tour. American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s seven consecutive victories elevated the Tour’s status to unprecedented heights. When he miraculously returned to win after recovering from cancer, even then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy openly praised him, calling Armstrong’s journey “a life lesson” for people.
But when Armstrong’s doping scandal came to light, the criticism and backlash against the Tour reached its peak, and its reputation plummeted. Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France champion, recently admitted that he would no longer dedicate everything to winning the Tour. “My life has revolved around the Tour for so long—I’m just done with it,” said Wiggins.
Whether adored or vilified, the 100th Tour de France is finally here. For the average person, taking in the beautiful scenery of France in July and experiencing the thrill of the Tour de France can still be a great way to unwind.