Definition
The 1959 Tour de France was the 46th edition of the annual, multi‑stage bicycle race primarily held in France. It is one of the sport’s Grand Tours and featured professional cyclists competing for the overall victory, classified by cumulative time.
Overview
- Dates: 25 June – 18 July 1959
- Stages: 22 stages (including one split stage) covering a total distance of approximately 4,391 kilometres (2,728 mi).
- Winner: Spanish rider Federico Bahamontes (team Saint‑Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson) claimed the general classification, becoming the first Spaniard to win the Tour.
- Runners‑up: French cyclist Jacques Anquetil finished second, while Belgian rider André Darrigade placed third.
- Mountains Classification: Bahamontes also won the polka‑dot jersey as the best climber, reinforcing his reputation as “The Eagle of Toledo.”
- Points Classification: The green jersey for the points competition was introduced in 1959; the inaugural winner was French rider Robert Bertin, who accumulated the most stage‑finishing points. (If later sources contradict this, the specific winner is not definitively confirmed.)
The route traversed several major mountain ranges, including the Alps and the Pyrenees, and featured a traditional finish on the Champs‑Élysées in Paris.
Etymology / Origin
The phrase “Tour de France” translates from French as “Tour of France.” The race was first organized in 1903 by the newspaper L’Auto to boost circulation and has since become the flagship event of professional road cycling. The year designation simply indicates the calendar year in which the edition took place.
Characteristics
- Format: The race employed a cumulative time system; the rider with the lowest aggregate time across all stages was declared the overall winner.
- Team Structure: Riders competed in national, regional, and trade teams, a configuration typical of the era.
- Stage Types: The 1959 edition combined flat stages favoring sprinters, medium‑mountain stages, high‑mountain stages with summit finishes, and individual time trials.
- Technological Context: Bicycles were predominantly steel‑frame models equipped with downtube shifters and limited gearing compared with modern equipment.
- Historical Significance: Bahamontes’ victory marked the first time a Spanish cyclist won the Tour, heralding increased international competition and expanding the race’s appeal beyond its traditional Western European dominance.
Related Topics
- Tour de France (general) – Overview of the race’s history, organization, and cultural impact.
- Federico Bahamontes – Biography of the 1959 winner and his achievements in professional cycling.
- Jacques Anquetil – Notable French cyclist who won five Tours (including 1957), contemporary of Bahamontes.
- Grand Tours – The three major stage races in professional cycling: Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España.
- Mountain Classification (Cycling) – Explanation of points awarded for reaching designated summit points first; Bahamontes’ dominance in this category.
- Points Classification (Tour de France) – Introduction of the green jersey in 1959 and its role in rewarding consistency in stage finishes.