That's it, the The Tour de France has been underway since last Saturday. The third most-watched sporting event on the planet is slowly making its way towards Nice. And yes, it's a special edition that won't finish on the Champs-Élysées , due to the Olympics!
The editorial team has therefore selected A dozen photos that travel through time and the landscapes of French roads to remind you of the beauty of this sport , but also its hardness .
As usual, these photos are a limited edition, so don't delay in ordering the ones that catch your eye! Especially since the Pédale photos are only released once a year , coinciding with the release of our annual magazine, which you can find at newsstands...
...or for individual purchase on our subscription website.
The photos:
Richard Virenque , one of the most iconic French cyclists, if ever there was one. And not just because of the Festina affair and his legendary line on the satirical puppet show "Les Guignols": "against my better judgment." A climber , he won the polka dot jersey seven times, awarded to the best specialist. A record that still stands. His Tour de France career was punctuated by memorable moments, such as his solo stage victories. Notably, this one in Morzine in 2003, while riding for Quick-Step , which allowed him to wear the yellow jersey at the end of the stage.
Eddy Merckx, nicknamed "The Cannibal" because of his insatiable thirst for victory, is a legend of world cycling. And his history with the Giro d'Italia is a testament to that . From his first victory in 1968, he displayed unprecedented dominance, winning the Giro five times . Known for his audacious breakaways and versatility, Merckx proved equally adept in the mountains and in time trials, accumulating 24 stage wins and wearing the pink jersey for 77 days . On that June day in 1976 , he was no match for Roger de Vlaeminck in the stage win, nor for Felice Gimondi in the general classification.
“ You’re great, my friend, you’re truly great !” Marc Madiot exclaimed in 2019. It’s one of the most genuine moments in cycling history: Thibaut Pinot’s victory on the Tourmalet during the 2019 Tour de France . Pinot, one of France’s brightest prospects, launched a brilliant attack in the final kilometers of this legendary climb, demonstrating perfect pacing . In a thrilling finale, he distanced his rivals, including the yellow jersey wearer Julian Alaphilippe , to cross the finish line first. This victory rekindled French hopes of seeing a compatriot triumph in the Tour. The rest, as they say, is history. He wrote the editorial for the French Federation of Losers’ book.
These are the eyes of an Italian cycling legend: Felice Gimondi. The Italian left his mark on his country's Giro d'Italia with three victories in 1967 (the year of the photo, taken at the finish of a grueling stage that was canceled due to excessive rain that made the road impassable), 1969, and 1976. His versatility and endurance allowed him to dominate both the mountains and the flat stages . The Lombard rider prevailed against stiff competition, notably from Eddy Merckx and Roger de Vlaeminck , adding a dramatic dimension to his participation. His stage wins and podium finishes cemented his place among the greatest cyclists of the Giro.
Mark Cavendish, with his 35th Tour de France victory this Wednesday, holds the record for the most wins in the Grande Boucle, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx. Known for his explosive speed and strategic sprinting prowess, the Englishman from the Isle of Man has often dominated bunch sprints. But he also knew how to contend for the overall classification in shorter races, as demonstrated by his third-place finish at the 2013 Ster ZLM Tour, a five-stage race in the Netherlands.
The stage of Mont-Saint-Michel The time trial during the 2013 Tour de France is one of the most legendary and spectacular stages of the competition. Contested as an individual time trial , it offers the riders an exceptional setting with The iconic Mont-Saint-Michel as a backdrop added a unique visual dimension to the race. Beyond the scenery, the stage was particularly memorable that day , with Christopher Froome consolidating his lead in the general classification thanks to an exceptional performance. The contrast between the cyclists' exertion and the tranquil majesty of Mont-Saint-Michel created an emblematic moment of the Tour de France.
The rivalry between Christopher Froome and Alberto Contador during the The 2013 Tour de France was the summer's biggest story. On one hand, Christopher Froome , A symbol of the new generation. On the other hand, Alberto Contador, A veteran and two-time Tour de France winner , the Briton dominated the early mountain stages, notably during the ascent of Mont Ventoux , where he distanced Contador. The Spaniard, with his fighting spirit, tried to catch up but was constantly repelled by a Froome was imperious and tactically sound. Especially during this Stage 16 between Vaison-la-Romaine and Gap , during which The Saxo Bank leader sets a sustained pace on the final descent towards Gap and slips on the melting tarmac. Froome loses his balance behind him but manages to rejoin the group of favorites.
Tour de France 2014. That year, we all believed! Froome abandoned in the first week, Pinot and Bardet were on fire. Everything seemed possible for a French rider to win. And yet, nothing went right for them, because the conquering Vincenzo Nibali took the yellow jersey on the second day, in England, in front of a massive crowd celebrating the hard-working cyclists , and never relinquished it. In the end, it was Jean-Christophe Péraud who finished second ahead of Thibaut Pinot, with just under a minute separating the two compatriots.
We conclude this series on cycling with a magnificent photo of Chris Froome training with Team Sky in January 2016, in the mountains of the Spanish island of Mallorca . A winning training session for Froome , who would go on to win his third Tour de France that year, after the 2013 and 2015 editions.
What's new!
Yes indeed, a little surprise! We've released a brand new t-shirt in honor of the one and only Richard Virenque, Richard the Lionheart, the cursed and then reviled hero of French cycling in the 90s, whom we mentioned earlier.
Okay, this is the latest addition, and we'll leave you alone! We've released a small collection of three puzzles in the shop , including this one by our photographer Renaud Bouchez, who captured the Curva Pinot during his last race, the 2023 Tour of Lombardy . So don't hesitate to take a look, and especially to give this 1500-piece puzzle to your puzzle-loving friends and family ! Or just to fans of the idol Thibaut.
