History
History
First run in 1903 as a means of increasing sales for L’Auto magazine, the annual race has been run 102 times in total – breaking only for the two World Wars.
Frenchman Maurice Garin was the inaugural winner, and – discounting the titles that have been stripped from the record – 59 more riders have won the race since.
Founder Henri Desgrange – disillusioned by rife cheating in the first two editions – threatened not to run the race again after 1904 but he relented and the rest, as they say, is history.
Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgian legend Eddy Merckx and Spain’s Miguel Indurain have each won the race five times apiece, making them the most successful riders in its history.
Lance Armstrong won seven races between 1999 and 2005 but after his public admission of doping throughout his career, his wins have been struck from the record.
Doping has been a recurrent theme in the Tour’s history, with British rider Tom Simpson collapsing and dying on Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour.
In intense heat, the lethal combination of alcohol and amphetamines in his blood proved fatal.
The modern edition of the race is organised by the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), usually featuring 21 stages over 23 days.
Britain’s first two champions, Sir Bradley Wiggins (2012) and Chris Froome (2013) are among the recent winners of the UCI WorldTour race.
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From 1930 to 1961, and then again from 1967 to 1968, the race was contested by national teams but trade teams – including everyone with a WorldTour licence – now compete instead.