🚴 Development in the 20th Century

Introduction: A Century of Transformation

The 20th century marks the most significant developmental phase in the history of cycling. From humble beginnings at the turn of the century, the sport evolved into a global phenomenon with millions of spectators, highly professional teams and spectacular competitions. This era was characterized by technological revolutions, legendary athletes, organizational milestones and unfortunately also by doping scandals that permanently changed the sport.

The development in the 20th century built upon the beginnings in the 19th century and laid the foundation for the modern era from 2000 onwards.

1900-1920: The Founding Phase of the Grand Tours

The Birth of the Tour de France (1903)

The most significant milestone in the history of cycling was undoubtedly the founding of the Tour de France in 1903. The French sports newspaper L'Auto organized the first race with the goal of increasing its circulation. The race covered six stages and 2,428 kilometers through France.

Giro d'Italia (1909) and Vuelta a España (1935)

Following the success of the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia was founded in 1909 with a similar concept. The Vuelta a España followed in 1935, thus completing the three Grand Tours that remain the most prestigious stage races to this day.

1920-1945: Professionalization and War Interruptions

The Golden Twenties

The 1920s brought increasing professionalization of the sport:

• 001. First team sponsorship models emerged
• 002. National associations were strengthened
• 003. Technical innovations such as derailleur gears were introduced
• 004. The first sprint classifications were established
• 005. Media coverage through newspapers intensified

World War II (1939-1945)

The war interrupted the major tours and international racing almost completely. Many riders were drafted into military service, materials were scarce, and social priorities understandably did not lie with sports.

1945-1970: The Era of Legends

Post-War Recovery

After World War II, cycling experienced a renaissance. People longed for normality and heroes, which the sport provided in abundance.

The Great Champions

This period produced some of the greatest cyclists of all time:

Technological Developments

1970-1990: Internationalization and First Doping Debates

Global Expansion

Cycling expanded beyond its European core countries:

• 001. American riders like Greg LeMond broke into the European elite
• 002. Colombian climbers revolutionized climbing technique
• 003. Australian sprinters gained significance
• 004. Asian markets showed initial interest

Greg LeMond: The American Breakthrough

Greg LeMond became the first American Tour de France winner in 1986 and won the race three times in total (1986, 1989, 1990). His dramatic 1989 victory with only 8 seconds margin remains one of the closest Tour victories in history.

Bernard Hinault: The Last Classic

Bernard Hinault ("Le Blaireau") dominated the late 1970s and early 1980s with 5 Tour de France victories and became one of the most influential figures in the sport.

The Dark Side: First Doping Scandals

The 1980s and 1990s marked the beginning of serious doping problems in professional cycling. While performance-enhancing substances existed earlier, their systematic application increased dramatically in this phase.

1990-2000: The EPO Era and Technological Revolution

The Festina Affair (1998)

The Festina scandal at the 1998 Tour de France was a turning point in doping history:

• Systematic doping in the team was exposed
• Several teams were excluded from the race
• The public massively lost trust
• Stricter controls were introduced

Miguel Indurain: The Dominant Champion

Spanish rider Miguel Indurain won five consecutive Tour de France titles from 1991 to 1995 and established himself as one of the greatest time trialists of all time.

Material Revolution

The 1990s brought the most significant technological advances since the invention of the derailleur:

UCI Regulations

The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) tightened its regulations in the 1990s:

• Introduction of the 6.8 kg minimum weight rule for racing bikes
• Restrictions on frame geometry
• Ban on certain aerodynamic designs
• First biological passports for riders

Sociocultural Significance

Cycling as a Mass Phenomenon

Throughout the 20th century, cycling evolved from local entertainment to a mass phenomenon:

• 001. Millions of spectators lined the routes of the Grand Tours
• 002. TV broadcasts reached global audiences
• 003. National heroes became cult figures (e.g. Merckx in Belgium, Hinault in France)
• 004. The sport shaped the identity of entire regions
• 005. Economic significance through tourism and sponsorship increased dramatically

Women in Cycling

Although professional women's cycling was strongly underrepresented in the 20th century, there were important developments:

• First Women's World Championships (1958)
• Olympic disciplines for women from 1984
• Establishment of first professional teams in the 1990s

Economic Development

From Individual Sponsors to Major Corporations

The financing of cycling went through several phases in the 20th century:

Legacy and Influence on Modern Cycling

The developments of the 20th century fundamentally shaped modern cycling:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

The 20th century was the definitive developmental phase of modern cycling. From the humble beginnings of the first Tour de France to the highly technologized, globalized industry at the end of the century, the sport underwent an unprecedented transformation. Legendary riders like Merckx, Hinault and Indurain shaped generations, while technological innovations from the derailleur to the carbon frame revolutionized the sport.

The dark sides – especially the doping problem – cast dark shadows over this success story and made it clear that sustainable solutions for the integrity of the sport had to be found. These challenges would significantly shape the development in the modern era from 2000 onwards.

Related Topics

• Beginnings in the 19th Century
• Modern Era from 2000
• Tour de France
• Eddy Merckx
• Anti-Doping
• UCI - Union Cycliste Internationale

Last Updated: November 3, 2025