User:Cordless Larry/Sandbox
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Late April/early May |
| Region | Northern France, Belgium, Luxembourg |
| Discipline | Road race |
| Type | Stage race (1919) One-day race (1920) |
| Organiser | Le Petit Journal |
| History | |
| First edition | 1919 |
| Editions | 2 |
| Final edition | 1920 |
The Circuit des Champs de Bataille was a multiple stage road bicycle race held in Northern France, Belgium and Luxembourg between 28 April and 11 May 1919. The race was composed of seven stages, with the first stage starting in and the last stage finishing in Strasbourg. The stages took the race to Luxembourg City, Brussels, Amiens, Paris, Bar-le-Duc and Belfort.[1] The race was approximately 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) long, with riders covering around 300 kilometres (190 mi) per day, with a rest day in between each stage. [2] The race was organised by the newspaper Le Petit Journal as a means of reinvigorating cycle-sport in the region following World War I, to honour those who died in the war, and for publicity purposes for the newspaper.[2] 87 riders started the race in Strasbourg, including the prominent riders Oscar Egg, Jean Alavoine, Ali Neffati and Paul Duboc. It has since been described as the toughest cycle race in history. Le Petit Journal reported on "terrible weather, broken roads, freezing wind and icy conditions".[2] The race was won by the Belgian Charles Deruyter, who finished with a lead of 2 hours 25 minutes.[3] Only 13 riders successfully finished the race.[1]
A race of the same name was held again in 1920, but it was organised as a one-day race rather than a stage race.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Thompson, Christopher S. (2008). Tour de France: A Cultural History. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 52–55. ISBN 9780520256309.
- ^ a b c Isitt, Tom (9 July 2014). "Circuit des Champs de Bataille". Rouleur. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ a b Isitt, Tom (8 April 2014). "Saddles, Somme and snow: a tale of the toughest cycle race ever". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 November 2015.