Today it starts, Lance Armstrong’s comeback to the Tour de France. Will he be able to wear that illusive yellow jersey once again? Starting today…we will find out, but one thing is for sure…the month of July is an extremely exciting time for cyclists. July is our time to take up the tv airways and enjoy the biggest road race of the year…the Tour de France.
Over the years, the Tour de France has grown into its own animal as people all over the world take a chance to get involved with cycling. The Tour de France is arguably the largest sporting event on the planet due to the large spread of countries represented that can only be topped by the Olympics. I do not think there is one household that does not know the name Lance Armstrong.
1903 – Premier Tour de France
After having completed the event circuit at an average speed of 25 km/h, Maurice Garin was rewarded with prize money of 6,075 francs, a handsome purse for the era. But most importantly, he was the first in a long line of champions.
1903 started the madness that is now one of the largest sports events in the world. The drama, excitement and news coverage of the event affectionately referred to as “The Tour” captures cyclist and no-pedal obsessed, normal people alike as we watch the pure machines of the sport hammer it out on some of the most difficult stages in the world.
Will Carlos Sastre make it two in a row? Will the same doping controversy that has plagued recent tours rear its ugly head in 2009? It is time to sit back, relax (yeah right) and swallow up all that is the Tour…