It is widely known that many of the most iconic road cycling races were originally conceived as marketing tools, with sports newspapers boosting their sales through coverage of these events. However, a lesser-known chapter in this history is how the format of the individual time trial (ITT) in the Tour de France was shaped by a fierce rivalry between two competing newspapers.
The Tour de France, organized since its inception by the daily sports paper L’Auto, was strategically aligned with its morning publication schedule. On the other hand, its rival, Paris-Soir, as its name suggests, was an evening paper. In a bid to maintain dominance, the Tour’s organizers scheduled stage finishes late in the afternoon, ensuring Paris-Soir couldn’t publish the results before L’Auto.
This rivalry took an intriguing turn in 1932, when Paris-Soir launched the “Grand Prix des Nations,” a race exclusively for individual time trialists. Though the inaugural event had modest success, the 1933 edition was a breakthrough, largely thanks to impressive performances by French riders. This newfound popularity caught the attention of Henri Desgrange, the founder of the Tour de France, who saw the potential to incorporate the ITT format into the Tour.
In 1934, the Tour de France made history by introducing an individual time trial.
Stage 21 of that year’s race was split into two parts, with Stage 21B—a 90 km course from La Roche-sur-Yon to Nantes—marking the first-ever ITT in the Tour. The stage proved to be a turning point not only for the race but for professional cycling as a whole.
Antonin Magne, the race leader at the time, delivered a commanding performance, winning the time trial and solidifying his position at the top of the standings. His triumph in this pivotal stage secured his second overall Tour de France victory, following his earlier win in 1931.
Magne’s success highlighted the strategic depth that time trials brought to the sport. The ITT format quickly became a cornerstone of the Tour de France, adding a dynamic element that tested riders’ individual strength, endurance, and determination. Its introduction in 1934 marked a watershed moment in cycling history, revolutionizing the Tour and shaping its evolution into the race we know today.