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Distro - 1935 Tour De France 

Robert Capa R 

2003 marks the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France. It was initially organised to give publicity to a French cycling newspaper, but over time has become one of the most demanding sporting endurance tests. Covering over 3000km and taking stages up the steepest climbs through the Alps and Pyrenees, the Tour's popularity surpasses its sporting interest becoming a legend in itself. This photographic essay by Robert Capa from 1935 documents an era before the commercial overload, technical equipment and drugs scandals of today's Tour and offers a image of pre-War France. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. July 1939. Tour de France. Spectators. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Cyclists hitch their bicycles over their shoulders and climb... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Cyclists during the peddling of a mountain pass. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

These town citizens appear to be impatient, the tour will rapidly... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. Brittany. Pleyben. July 1939. A crowd gathered in front... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. Brittany. Pleyben. July 1939. A crowd gathered in front... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. Brittany. Pleyben. July 1939. A crowd gathered in front... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. Brittany. Pleyben. July 1939. A crowd gathered in front... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A Gendarme points with his truncheon the route to be taken through... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A photographer of the tour with his motor cycle driver. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Part of the hardest stretch are the Alpine mountain passes, people... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

France. Pyrenees. Celebrity starter Georges Breton at the top... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

1935 FRANCE. The Tour de France bicycle race. July 1939.
Goggles... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Village crowds waiting for the arrival of the tour. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Being a Press Photographer on the "tour" is not an easy job,... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A radio announcer at the arrival of the team in a stadium. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A press reporter and his motorcycle driver. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

The team stops to put on rainproof clothing. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A nurse treats the injured arm of a cyclist grazed during a fall.... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Cyclists resting between laps. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A stopover refreshment halt in a harvest cornfield for tired... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A short stopover and refreshment point, weary cyclists meet the... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

The cyclists stop for the day to rest, wash and clean up from... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Young spectators with leaflets showing the participants of the... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

Spectators waiting for the tour to pass. 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A press car of the tour talking to their motorcycle outrider.... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A refreshment break for the cyclists and their maintenance team... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

The official car of LE PETIT DAUPHINOIS newspaper with its sports... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

In a small French town, a veteran sits below the fountain and... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

FRANCE. Tour de France. July 1939.
Two former war veterans take... 

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography 1935

A newspaper vendor draws buyers on the latest results of the... 
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