FRANCE. Tour de France. July 1939.
Robert Capa © International Center of Photography
The TOUR DE FRANCE is one of France's greatest annual sport events. Hundreds of cyclists, together with their teams and crews race through the flatlands and hills of France during the hot summer months. The tour brings out thousands of spectators who line the road, as well as photographers and journalists who cover every section of the race. The press photographers clutch onto the motorcycle drivers as they lean backwards and forwards to capture the best pictures. Every day the teams have to complete a specified route, which has a certain winner. At the end of the tour, according to the number of points, there is an overall winner, who automatically becomes a national hero.
