Butcher, Blacksmith, Acrobat, Sweep

The first Tour de France in 1903 was a colorful and adventurous event marked by mishaps and bold attempts at cheating, featuring a diverse array of characters from professional cyclists to amateurs. Despite its rough conditions and efforts to revive a struggling newspaper, the race attracted unexpected crowds, setting the stage for what would become a legendary sporting event. Cycling writer Peter Cossins explores the origins of this historic race, recounting its inaugural stages and the beginning of a new era in cycling.