1954 TDF Bobet despite the Swiss
1954 Tour Quick Facts:
4,669 km raced at an average speed of 34.743 km/hr. The Amsterdam departure was the Tour's first foreign start.
110 starters aligned on national and regional teams with 69 classified finishers. The 1954 Giro was ridden slowly, with the riders striking. This angered the Italian federation, which refused to send an Italian team to the 1954 Tour.
Initially Gilbert Bauvin looked to be a serious contender, but when the Tour reached the Alps, Louison Bobet showed that he was far and away the finest rider; not just in the Tour, but probably in the world.
(excerpt of "The Story of the Tour de France", by Bill McGann, BikeRaceInfo)
(picture "Le Tour a 75 Ans", numéro spécial l'Equipe, 1978)
Jean Robic and Hugo Koblet, both previous winners, crashed out of the 1954 Tour.
1954 TDF Bobet despite the Swiss
1954 Tour Quick Facts:
4,669 km raced at an average speed of 34.743 km/hr. The Amsterdam departure was the Tour's first foreign start.
110 starters aligned on national and regional teams with 69 classified finishers. The 1954 Giro was ridden slowly, with the riders striking. This angered the Italian federation, which refused to send an Italian team to the 1954 Tour.
Initially Gilbert Bauvin looked to be a serious contender, but when the Tour reached the Alps, Louison Bobet showed that he was far and away the finest rider; not just in the Tour, but probably in the world.
(excerpt of "The Story of the Tour de France", by Bill McGann, BikeRaceInfo)
(picture "Le Tour a 75 Ans", numéro spécial l'Equipe, 1978)
Jean Robic and Hugo Koblet, both previous winners, crashed out of the 1954 Tour.