History of the Tour de France: Post World War Tour
by Jeanne Rivers
Europe gained some much needed distraction after World War II
with the peaceful duels of the Tour de France, rapidly cementing
its place as one of Euope's preeminent sports contests.</i>
Post World War Rivalries
Henri Desgrange, the Tour de France founder, died in 1940. His
successor was Jacque Goddet. The Germans tried to persuade
Goddet to hold the race during the war years, but he refused. He
considered the first race following the war, in 1947, to be an
act of faith given the post-war shortages. Jean Robic of France
won and this did much to improve the country's morale. The
government even allowed the Tour to break the food rationing
rules.
<b>Italian Rivals Go at it Full Swing</b>
The French win didn't last long. Two Italian rivals, Gino
Bartali, tour winner in 1938, and Fausto Coppi, had lost most of
their cycling careers to the war. But their bitter rivalry made
the post-war Tours as exciting as ever. Bartali's 10-year gap
between wins is still a Tour record. Louison Bobet had grabbed
the yellow jersey early in the race but Bartali showed who
deserved to win when he flew through the Alps. Bartali won by 26
minutes in 1948.
<b>Rene Vietto- France's King of the Hill</b>
After the war, Vietto was one of the few surviving members of
the old guard. For awhile, it looked like Vietto might win the
1947 race. Although he didn't win, he became the Tour's king of
the mountains. It's been said that wherever there were steep
roads and thin air, Vietto was right there.
The winner that year, Robic, had promised his young bride that
he would win the Tour de France because he didn't have a dowry.
In 1948, Bobet's popularity would increase. The Italian coach,
Alfredo Binda, said, "If I had coached Bobet, he would have
won." By this time, Bobet was known as "Louison."
The Italians arrived at the 1949 Tour prepared to win. They have
with them, up and coming star, Fausto Coppi. Coppi and Bartali
battle it out. Bartali loses by more than 10 minutes. Coppi won
for the second time in 1952 by a stunning 28 minutes.
<b>Switzerland Wins and France has a Golden Age</b>
Switzerland has had only two victories on the Tour- in 1950 and
1951.
In 1950, the Italians look like they're ready to claim a third
title. Bartali, and French rider, Jean Robic, are battling for
the lead in the mountains. Aggressive fans cause them to fall.
Bartali is constantly harassed and in disgust, he quits the
race. To show their support for their team mate, the entire
Italian team also quits.
In 1951, Hugo Koblet was clearly the strongest rider. He claimed
the yellow jersey after Wim Van Est had a spectacular crash over
the cliffs of the Aubisque pass. Van Est survived the crash but
was in shock and couldn't continue. With Bobet, Kubler, and
Koblet all out with injuries, the 1952 race was wide open. Coppi
won again in 1952 but not until after being challenged by Robic
most of the way. Robic was the victim of a flat tire.
<b>Television was introduced to the Tour in 1952</b>.
France succeeds again with the Tour's first hat trick. Louison
Bobet won in 1953, 1954, and 1955. In 1955, Bobet destroyed his
competition on Mount Ventoux, and this was the key to his third
consecutive win.
France won again in 1956 with rider, Roger Walkowiak. He took
the yellow jersey early on, and held onto it. France reveled in
its golden age with another record-breaking ride and a new great
rivalry.
Jacques Anquetil won five Tours between 1957 1nd 1964. But it
was the story of Raymond Poulidor, the "eternal second," who
placed second five times and third three times and he never once
wore the jellow jersey. It was during this time that the Tour
switched back to sponsored teams. This movement embraced
commercial reality but still left plenty of room for theatrics.
Enter Jacques Anquetil, winner in 1957 and winner again in 1961,
1962, 1963, and again in 1964. Despite these victories Anquetil
was not well loved in France. Poulidor would win a popularity
contest in a heartbeat.
In 1959, France looked like it had a winning team with Anquetil,
Riviére, Bobet, and Geminiani all on the national team. But
instead of working together, the work against each other. The
Spaniard, Ferderico Bahamontes , won.
In 1960, it looked like young Riviére was all set to win. He
broke the world hour record and at Stage 15 he looked like he'd
win. Then, at the Perjuret Pass he crashed into a ravine and
never rode a bicycle again. Gastone Nencini, from Italy, won.
<b>Winners</b>
1947 Jean Robic (Fra)
1948 Gino Bartali (Ita)
1949 Faust Coppi (Ita)
1950 Ferdi Kubler (Swi)
1951 Hugo Koblet (Swi)
1952 Faust Coppi (Ita)
1953 Louison Bobet (Fra)
1954 Louison Bobet (Fra)
1955 Louison Bobet (Fra)
1956 Roger Walkowiak (Fra)
1957 Jacque Anquetil (Fra)
1958 Charly Gaul (Lux)
1959 Ferderico Bahamontes (Spa)
1960 Gastone Nencini (Ita)
If you liked this article, you'll find more Tour de France
history articles and this year's Tour schedule at:
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schedules</a>
<a href="http://www.2007-tour-de-france.com/">2007 le Tour de
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<a
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_france_schedule.php">Tour de France schedule & route</a>
About the author:
Jeanne has a passion for all things cycling. Some favorite web
resources include:
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