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Henri DesgrangeFrench cyclist and sports journalist
Date of Birth: 31.01.1865
Country:  France |
Content:
- Henry Desgrange: Visionary Cyclist and Founder of the Tour de France
- Sporting Achievements on the Track:
- - 50 km
- Journalistic Career and the Birth of the Tour:
- Impact and Legacy of the Tour:
- Later Years and Legacy:
Henry Desgrange: Visionary Cyclist and Founder of the Tour de France
Early Life and Passion for Cycling:Henri Desgrange, born in Paris in 1865, displayed a passion for cycling from a young age. Despite receiving a solid education and working as a legal clerk, his love for the sport led him to take up competitive cycling in the early 1890s.
Sporting Achievements on the Track:
As a cyclist, Desgrange excelled in endurance events. His lack of explosive acceleration was compensated by his remarkable stamina, allowing him to set several track records:
- 50 km
- 100 km- 100 miles
- Tricycle
From Track to Management:
Desgrange's cycling achievements earned him respect and influence. He became the director of the Parc des Princes velodrome in 1897 and the Vélodrome d'Hiver in 1903.
Journalistic Career and the Birth of the Tour:
In 1900, Desgrange became editor-in-chief of the sports newspaper L'Auto. He quickly realized the competitive potential of organizing cycling races to boost newspaper sales. Inspired by his subordinate Jean Lefevre, Desgrange conceived the idea for the Tour de France in 1903.
Impact and Legacy of the Tour:
The Tour de France became an instant sensation, transforming L'Auto into a leading sports publication. Desgrange's vision for the race not only solidified its status as the most prestigious event in cycling but also contributed to France's international reputation.
Later Years and Legacy:
Desgrange remained an advocate for physical fitness throughout his life. He believed France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War was due to the lack of physical preparedness among its soldiers. During World War I, he joined the army as a volunteer, despite being 52 years old.
In 1939, Desgrange underwent two prostate surgeries. Despite suffering from the illness, he refused to miss the Tour de France. The strain of the race aggravated his condition, and he passed away in 1940. To honor his legacy, a monument was erected on the Col du Galibier, one of the Tour's most challenging climbs.
