A1. Because L’Auto, the newspaper that originally sponsored the Tour de France, was printed on yellow paper. When the yellow jersey was introduced in 1919, race organizers chose yellow to match the distinctive color of L’Auto newspaper, which had founded and sponsored the race since 1903. This was an early example of sports marketing, ensuring the race leader would be a walking advertisement for the sponsoring publication. The tradition stuck even after L’Auto ceased publication, and today the yellow jersey remains cycling’s most recognizable symbol.
A2. The polka dots were chosen to match the wrapper design of Poulain chocolate, an early sponsor of the mountain classification. When the mountains classification was created in 1933, it didn’t initially have a distinctive jersey. The polka dot jersey wasn’t introduced until 1975 when Poulain chocolate became the sponsor. The red polka dots on a white background matched their chocolate bar wrappers. Like the yellow jersey’s newspaper origins, this shows how commercial sponsorship has shaped the Tour’s iconic imagery. The pattern has become synonymous with climbing excellence in cycling.
A3: Eleven times – six years during World War I (1915-1919) and five years during World War II (1940-1946), though there was a unofficial race in 1940. The Tour was canceled from 1915-1919 during World War I, as Europe was consumed by conflict. During World War II, it was officially canceled from 1940-1946, though a substitute race called the “Circuit de France” was held in 1942 under German occupation. The race resumed in 1947 with great fanfare, symbolizing France’s return to normalcy. These interruptions represent the only times in the Tour’s history that the race hasn’t been held due to circumstances beyond the organizers’ control.
A4. Henri Cornet, who was 19 years and 350 days old when he won in 1904. Henri Cornet’s victory came under unusual circumstances. He actually finished fifth in the 1904 Tour, but the first four finishers were all disqualified for various infractions including taking trains and cars during the race. Cornet was retroactively declared the winner months later. His age record has never been seriously threatened in the modern era, as the physical and mental demands of the three-week race typically favor more experienced riders. The youngest winner in the modern era was Laurent Fignon, who was 22 when he won in 1983.
A5. Eddy Merckx in 1969. Eddy Merckx, known as “The Cannibal” for his insatiable appetite for winning, dominated the 1969 Tour like no rider before or since. He won the overall classification by over 17 minutes, the points classification for sprinting, and the mountains classification for climbing – a triple crown that demonstrates incredible versatility. He also won six individual stages that year. This achievement highlighted why Merckx is considered by many to be the greatest cyclist of all time. The feat has never been repeated, as modern cycling has become more specialized.
