Tour de France

The Tour de France (French for Tour of France), often referred to as La Grande Boucle, Le Tour or The Tour, is an epic long distance road bicycle racing competition for professionals held over three weeks in July in and around France. It has been held annually since 1903, interrupted only by World War I and World War II. The most recent Tour was the 2005 Tour de France.

Deaths

• 1995: July 18, stage 15: Italian racer Fabio Casartelli crashed at approximately 88 km/h descending the Col de Portet d'Aspet. Casartelli, not wearing a helmet, received massive trauma to the top of his head from a concrete block and died on the scene.
• 1967: Friday July 13, Stage 13: English rider Tom Simpson died of heart failure on the ascent of Mont Ventoux. Amphetamines and alcohol were found in Simpson's jersey and bloodstream. His death prompted tour officials to begin a programme of drug testing.
• 1935: Spanish racer Francesco Cepeda died after plunging down a ravine on the Col du Galibier.
• 1910: Hors Categorie. French racer Adolphe Helière drowned at the Côte d'Azur during a rest day.