The history of the Tour de France - Tour Post World War

Europe gained some much needed distraction after the Second World War with the peaceful duels of the Tour de France, quickly cementing its position as one of the outstanding sporting competitions Euope's. Post World War rivalries Henri Desgrange, the Tour de France founder, died in 1940. His successor was Goddet Jacque. The Germans tried Goddet to convince them to hold the race during the war years, but he refused. He held the first race after the war,1947, to be an act of faith given the post-war shortages. Jean Robic from France won and did so much for the country to improve the morale. The government even allowed the tour, rules to break the food rations.

Italian rivals go at it full swing

Winning the French did not last long. Two Italian rival, Gino Bartali, Tour winner in 1938, and Fausto Coppi, had lost the war, most of her career in cycling. But their bitter rivalry in the postwar periodTours exciting than ever. Bartali's 10-year gap between wins is always a Tour record yet. Louison Bobet had the yellow jersey early in the race but was Bartali to win, when he flew over the Alps deserves seized. Bartali won with 26 minutes in 1948.

Rene Vietto-France's King of the Hill

After the war, was one of the few surviving members Vietto the old guard. For a while it looked as Vietto the 1947 race could be won. Although he did not win, theywas the Tour's king of the mountains. It has been said that wherever there were steep streets and thin air, Vietto law existed.

The winner of this year, Robic had promised dowry, his young bride, he would win that de France, because the tour he has none.

In 1948, Bobet popularity would increase. Italian coach, Alfredo Binda, said: "If I had coached Bobet, he would have won." At this time, Bobet as "Louison" known.

The Italians reached the 1949Tour prepared to win. They have with them and coming star, Fausto Coppi. Coppi and Bartali to fight. Bartali loses more than 10 minutes. Coppi won for the second time in 1952 by a breathtaking 28 minutes.

Switzerland and France has won a Golden Age

Switzerland has had only two victories in 1951 on the tour - in 1950 and.

In 1950, the Italians look like they prepared a third title are entitled. Bartali and French rider JeanRobic, are fighting for the lead in the mountains. Aggressive fans will not support them. Bartali is constantly harassed and in disgust, he finished the race. To show ended its support for her teammates, the entire Italian team also.

In 1951 Hugo Koblet was clearly the strongest rider. He maintained the yellow jersey after Wim Van Est had a spectacular accident happen on the cliffs of the Aubisque. Van Est, survived the crash but was in shock and could not continue. With Bobet, Kuebler and Kobletwith all the injuries, was open from 1952 race. Coppi won again in 1952, but only after she challenged by Robic most of the way. Robic was the victim of a flat tire.

Television was introduced in 1952, to tour in.

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 the Mont Ventoux, and this was the key to his third victory in a row.

France won in 1956, again withDriver, Roger Walkowiak. He took the yellow jersey early, and held on to them. France reveled in its golden age, with another record-breaking journey and a new great rivalry.

Jacques Anquetil won five Tours between 1957 1ND 1964th But it was the story of Raymond Poulidor, the "eternal second", the second five times and third three times, and he was not even placed the Yellow Jersey. It was during this time that the Tour changed back to sponsored teams. This movement embracedcommercial reality, but still left much room for theatrics. Enter Jacques Anquetil, winner and winner in 1957, 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 the year 1959 saw France as a successful team with Anquetil, Rivière, Geminiani Bobet and all had a national team. But instead of working together, working against each other. The Spaniard, FerdericoBahamontes won.

In 1960 it looked like young Rivière was all set to win. He broke the world hour record on stage 15 and he looked like he would win. Then, on Perjuret passport he fell into a ravine and rode a bicycle again. Gastone Nencini, from Italy, won.

Winner

1947 Jean Robic (Fra)

1948 Gino Bartali (Ita)

1949 Faust Coppi (Ita)

1950 Ferdi Kubler (Swi)

1951 Hugo Koblet (Swi)

1952 Faust Coppi (Ita)

1953Louison 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)