From strikes to doping, the Tour de France (7 to 29 July) certainly has a chequered history. Here are five of the most colourful moments of cycling’s biggest event
1903
The inaugural edition of the Tour de France is staged. Initially, there are a mere 15 participants; however, this number quickly increases to over 60 once the event’s organisers lower the entry fee and up the prize money.
1930
For the first time ever, advertisers are allowed to precede the race in the form of a colourful vehicle parade. Today, the publicity caravan still remains an integral feature of the Tour de France.
1968
The journalists covering the Tour de France go on strike for the first time in the event’s history, boycotting the the initial 70km of the Bordeaux–Bayonne stage. Their main gripe? That the race was getting dull (with poorly constructed routes).
1978
The cyclists go on strike, crossing the finishing line on foot to protest the race’s split stages (in which they have to ride once in the morning and again in the afternoon, meaning they can’t sleep in).
2018
The doping scandals continue after Lance Armstrong was stripped of his titles in 2012. British cyclist Chris Froome’s quest for his record-equalling fifth title remains uncertain due to his failed drug test at the Vuelta a España last year.
This article was originally published in the July 2018 issue of SilverKris magazine
