There is nothing more pleasurable than re-visiting the style of the Tour through the ages. As it rolls ever closer to Paris, we spent the rest day flicking through old magazines to examine the different fashions displayed (mostly) off the bike by riders and other members of the Tour caravan. Take a look below at a snippet of vintage design which forms part of the rich heritage of Le Tour and French cycling.
Fausto Coppi, Il Campionssimo in more ways than one (1952)
And Bartali was always on the coat-tails of his nemesis...
You thought your sunglasses game was good? Think again after seeing this photo of Jean Robic. (1953)
Anquetil and Bobet, an example not only of the use of primary colours and Brylcreem, but also of natural and not so natural ability in front of a camera (1957)
Charly Gaul, showing how a casquette should be worn…. (1955)
Roger Riviéré, Louison Bobet and Jaques Anquetil proving that tracksuits can be classy…. (1957 & 1960)
Raymond Poulidor, or 'd’éternal second’, shows he can come first in the pre-Tour tranquilo tracksuit campaign (1961)
Anquetil and (especially) Poulidor take the rockabilly haircut to the edge before it could be considered a ‘banane’ (1964)
The ‘Greatest Of All Time' seemingly only got out of his cycling gear when there was a doping scandal to confront; the rest of the time, even at home, he stayed in his kit!
And last but not least - the Badger - no words required….