The 1903 Tour de France was the first edition of what became the world's most prominent annual cycling race, created to boost a newspaper's circulation.
Key Facts
- Total distance
- 2,428 km (1,509 mi)
- Number of stages
- 6
- Race dates
- 1–19 July 1903
- Winner
- Maurice Garin
- Winning margin
- Nearly 3 hours over second place
- L'Auto circulation increase
- More than sixfold during and after the race
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The newspaper L'Auto faced declining circulation due to competition from the established rival Le Vélo. To reverse this trend, L'Auto's organizers devised a long-distance cycling race as a promotional vehicle. After a slow uptake from competitors, the start was postponed from June to July and prize money was increased to attract sufficient entrants.
The race ran from 1 to 19 July 1903, covering 2,428 km across six stages through France. Pre-race favourite Maurice Garin won the opening stage and maintained the lead throughout, ultimately claiming victory with a margin of nearly three hours over the second-placed cyclist. Competitors were not required to ride all stages, but had to do so to qualify for the general classification.
The race was judged a commercial success, with L'Auto's circulation rising more than sixfold. This result secured the event's continuation, and the Tour de France was held again in 1904. By that time, Le Vélo had been forced out of business, and L'Auto had achieved its original competitive objective through the race's popularity.