History

It's July 13, 1967, and it's scorching hot in Provence, France. The Tour de France is in full swing, with riders prepared to ascend the formidable Mont Ventoux. Tommy Simpson, a skilled English cyclist noted for his drive and fighter's mindset who rides for the illustrious Peugeot-Michelin team, is one of them. Nobody could have predicted that this day would go down in cycling history as one of the darkest. Tour doctor Doctor Pierre Dumas provides first aid and tries to save Tom Simpson with mouth-to-mouth breathing. Simpson, born in 1937, was one of the most promising cyclists of his...

Close to the border with the Netherlands in De Klinge, Belgium, Gustaaf De Loor and his 3-year older brother Alfons saw the light of day. The brothers dominated the first editions of La Vuelta. Gustaaf Deloor won the first two editions of La Vuelta - 1935 and 1936. In the second edition of 1936, Gustaaf stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother Alfons on the podium.  The Deloor brothers he played a major role in international cycling before WWII. Unfortunately, the Spanish Civil War and WWII caused both riders to retire early.   Who were these two brothers? Gustaaf (Stafke)...

Federico Bahamontes was born on July 9, 1928, in Santo Domingo-Caudilla, a small town near Toledo in central Spain. He started cycling as a teenager and quickly showed his talent, winning his first race at the age of 15. Federico Bahamontes passed away at the age of 95 on August 8, 2023. Bahamontes turned professional in 1954 and quickly established himself as one of the best climbers in the peloton. The performance of Federico Bahamontes in the 1954 Tour has since been elevated to legend. The virtually unknown Spanish debutant in the race left everyone behind on one of the...

In the world of cycling, there are many names synonymous with perseverance, strength and groundbreaking achievements. One such name is Eileen Sheridan, a true pioneer of women's cycling. With her unparalleled performance and determination, she paved the way for future generations of women cyclists. Let's take a closer look at the life and career of this remarkable sportswoman. Eileen Sheridan was born April 3, 1922, in the city of Coventry, England. She grew up at a time when women's cycling was in its infancy and when female athletes were often restricted by social conventions. Yet this did not stop Sheridan...

Where did our bicycle come from?   The history of the bicycle is one of the most interesting and inspiring stories in the world of transportation. The bicycle has been an important part of human history for centuries. There are several ancient but unproven claims about the invention of the bicycle.  The ancient Greeks were the first people to engage in sports, think Olympics in Olympia. But did they also do bicycle racing? No, they never saw a bicycle, so chief god Zeus never took a bike ride. Supreme god Zeus makes a tour Perhaps it was Gian Giacomo Caprotti,...

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, previously Omloop Het Volk is an iconic cycling race that has been held for over 80 years in Belgium. It is part of the UCI World Tour and takes place in late February each year. It is the opening event of the Belgian cycling season, as well as the first race of the year in Northwestern Europe. Given its early calendar date, it is often marked by cold weather, making it more thought-provoking and, without a doubt, more prestigious. The race starts in Gent and goes through the local Flanders region, covering over 200 kilometres of terrain....