The Tour de France is the world’s most legendary cycling race, running every summer since 1903. Covering 3,500 km (2,175 miles) over three grueling weeks, riders push their bodies to the absolute limit, battling brutal mountains, breakneck speeds, and unpredictable weather.
But let’s be honest—this race isn’t just about endurance and strategy. Over the years, we’ve seen some insane crashes, ridiculous cheating scandals, and moments so bizarre you wouldn’t believe they actually happened.
Here are some of the craziest, most unforgettable moments in Tour de France history!
The Infamous “Grandma Sign” Crash (2021)
Picture this: it’s Stage 1 of the Tour, and fans are lining the roads, cheering like crazy. Then, one woman steps onto the course, holding a giant sign that says “Allez Opi-Omi” (Go Grandpa & Grandma!)—completely oblivious to the peloton charging toward her.
Boom! German rider Tony Martin slams into the sign, triggering a domino effect crash involving over 50 riders. Some had to quit the race on day one due to injuries.
And the woman?
• She fled the scene, but was later arrested and fined €1,200 ($1,300).
• After that, race organizers cracked down on reckless spectators, reminding everyone that standing in the middle of a cycling race is a terrible idea.
The 1904 Cheating Scandal: When Riders Took the Train!
The 2nd ever Tour de France in 1904 was so wildly corrupt that it almost ended the race for good.
• Some riders hopped onto trains to avoid pedaling up mountains.
• Others hid in cars and got dropped off near the finish line.
• Fans even attacked riders with sticks and nails to help their hometown favorites win.
When the race finished, Tour officials investigated and ended up disqualifying the top FOUR finishers, including the original winner, Maurice Garin.
The title went to Henri Cornet, a 19-year-old who didn’t cheat, making him the youngest-ever Tour winner (but probably also the most confused).
Death on the Mountain: The Tom Simpson Tragedy (1967)
Mont Ventoux is one of the most brutal climbs in Tour history. But in 1967, it became the scene of a tragic moment.
British rider Tom Simpson, completely exhausted, collapsed on the climb. He pleaded to get back on his bike, but just a few minutes later, he collapsed again and died.
The cause?
A deadly mix of amphetamines, alcohol, and extreme heat—a tragic reminder of cycling’s long struggle with doping.
His last words? “Put me back on my bike.”
His death led to stricter anti-doping rules in the sport, but the problem would haunt cycling for decades.
The Closest Finish in Tour History: 8 Seconds (1989)
1989’s Tour was pure drama.
Frenchman Laurent Fignon was in the lead going into the final stage. The only thing standing between him and victory? A 25-kilometer individual time trial—basically, a race against the clock.
His challenger, Greg LeMond (USA), needed to pull off a miracle comeback to win.
And that’s exactly what he did.
• LeMond shattered expectations with a blazing-fast ride, making up time at an insane pace.
• He beat Fignon by just 8 seconds—the smallest winning margin in Tour history.
• Fignon was so devastated he later called it “a death in the family”.
Lesson learned: never count anyone out until the last second!
The Festina Doping Scandal (1998): A Tour of Shame
If you thought baseball’s steroid era was bad, the 1998 Tour de France took things to a whole new level.
Right before the race, the police found a car stuffed with performance-enhancing drugs—all belonging to the Festina team.
• Their manager was arrested.
• The team was kicked out of the race.
• What followed was one of the biggest doping scandals in cycling history.
Since then, the Tour has cracked down hard on drug cheats, but let’s be real—scandals still pop up now and then.
Chris Froome Running Up a Mountain (2016)
Most people who win the Tour de France do it by riding a bike.
Chris Froome? He ran.
During Stage 12 (Mont Ventoux again), a motorcycle crash took out multiple riders, including Froome, whose bike was completely destroyed.
With no spare bike available, Froome did the only logical thing—he started running.
• In cycling shoes.
• Up a mountain.
• While millions of people watched live on TV.
Race officials eventually gave him a replacement bike, and he still won the Tour that year.
Moral of the story? If your bike breaks, just keep running.
How Dangerous Is the Tour? Deaths and Close Calls
The Tour is one of the most brutal endurance events on Earth, and unfortunately, four riders have lost their lives during the race:
1. Francisco Cepeda (1935) – Crashed and suffered a fatal head injury.
2. Tom Simpson (1967) – Died from doping-related exhaustion.
3. Fabrice Salanson (1996) – Died in a training accident.
4. Andreas Kivilev (2016) – Died of heart failure during training.
Crashes, exhaustion, and extreme weather make the race incredibly dangerous—even for the best riders in the world.
Quick Facts About the Tour de France
• When? Every July (2024 edition: June 29 – July 21)
• Distance? Around 3,500 km (2,175 miles) over 21 stages
• How long does it take? About 80–90 hours total for the winner
• How many riders? 170–180 per year, but only 130–150 finish
• Prize money? Overall winner gets €500,000 ($540,000)
Final Thoughts: The Tour is Pure Chaos and We Love It
The Tour de France isn’t just a bike race. It’s a battle of endurance, mental toughness, and, sometimes, complete madness.
From riders taking trains and doping scandals to running up mountains and sign-wielding spectators, this race has seen it all.
And every year, millions tune in, waiting for the next unforgettable moment.
Because in the Tour de France, anything can happen.