El Tour de Francia y la Belle Epoque del ciclismo

Abstract

This paper describes the origins and initial years of up growth of the 

 Tour de France , most likely the world´s best known cycling competition, now in its first century of existence. After describing its staggering departure and its arduous delimitation from other stage wheel races, an emphasis is made on the contribution made by the media and managers to the national French culture by means of publicizing the race and feeding upon epic heroes and memorable national landscapes.