….. in 1904  competitor Hippolyte Aucouturier tied a piece of cork to a long piece of string, tied the other end to the back of a car, and bit down on the cork as he followed the car. He was disqualified for cheating of course.

…..the route of the Tour de France changes every year, takes place over 23 days covers over 2,000 miles and always ends on the Champs-Élysées.

……each rider consumes an average of 123,900 calories over the course of the three weeks, equivalent to 495 croissants, 152 full English breakfasts or 200 bottles of champagne!

—–in 1904, several competitors including the 1903 winner were disqualified after allegations that they used trains during the race.

…..in the 1920s competitors smoked cigarettes, sharing the amongst themselves as they rode, as it was believed that it helped them to ‘open up’ the lungs before a hard climb.

…..competitors used to drink alcohol to ease pain during the race, later banned when it was classed as a stimulant.

…..the first Tour de France race was held in 1903 and entry cost 10 francs

…..the youngest rider to win the Tour de France was Henri Comet in 2004 at just 19. The oldest was Firmin Lambot, at the age of 36, in 1922.