Start of the Tour de France in the Netherlands for the fifth time

In 1954, Amsterdam was the first non-French starting point for the Tour de France. In 1973, Scheveningen was the starting point for the Tour. Leiden followed in 1978, and in 1996 it was 's-Hertogenbosch. This year, the Grand Départ is in Rotterdam. After the first stage, I would also like to take you on a cycling-themed journey through the origins and history of the Tour de France; watch and read along… In 1954, Amsterdam was the first non-French starting place for the Tour de France. In 1973, Scheveningen was the starting point for the Tour. It was Leiden's turn in 1978 and …. ..... in 1996 it was 's-Hertogenbosch. This year, the start of the Tour is taking place in our country for the fifth time.

The Grand Departure in Rotterdam.

Hennie Kuiper (Olympic and World Champion) and Bernard Hinault (five-time winner of the Tour de France) receive the first copies of the 'Tour de France 2010?' stamp sheet and the two (prestige) 'Dutch Cycling Successes' stamp booklets today.

Tour de France 1960 – 1985

Postage stamps (model ppz, black and white) featuring the riders: Joop Zoetemelk; Gerben Karstens; Jan Janssen; Gerrie Knetemann; Hennie Kuiper; Jan Raas; Peter Winnen; Johan van der Velde and Henk Lubberding.

Tour de France 1985 – 2010

Stamps (model ppz, multi-coloured) featuring the riders: Jelle Nijdam; Michael Boogerd; Erik Breukink; Steven Rooks; Jean-Paul van Poppel; Gert-Jan Theunisse; Jeroen Blijlevens; Erik Dekker and …. Leontien van Moorsel. The stamp sheet, consisting of ten stamps with the new denomination, features many aspects of the Tour, including the leaders of the various classifications, each wearing a special jersey, and the route with the start and finish locations and the different types of stages.

Route of the first stage after the prologue.

A bicycle-latelist view of the TOUR DE FRANCE

A beautiful strip of four stamps from Ireland about the Tour de France in 1998. The Tour de France originated from the fierce competition between French sports magazines around the turn of the century. Thirteen sports newspapers vied with each other for survival. “Le Vélo” was the largest. Henri Desgrange founded a new magazine called “L'Auto-Vélo”. Pierre Giffard (of Le Vélo) sued Henri for plagiarism. The judge ruled that ……. Desgrange's sports magazine could only be called “L'Auto”. As a result, in 1903, Henri Desgrange and his collaborators developed a plan to instantly bind sports readers to “L'Auto” by holding a Tour de France for cyclists—a huge adventure for those days. The Tour de France proved to be a great success, and the circulation of “L'Auto” (later L'Équipe) rose from 20.000 to 130.000, of which 65.000 were subscribers. With this, the first Tour de France already proved its commercial value. In the pioneering days of the Tour, the longest stages were ridden, some even exceeding 450 km. The first Tour de France in 1903 consisted of six stages covering a total length of 2428 kilometers. A beautiful commemorative card from 1953, 50 years of the Tour de France, with a Tour stamp and postmark. Let's take a bit of a (fi(ets)atelistic look… In 1963, Monaco issued a series of two stamps to mark the fiftieth Tour de France. In 1969, Ajman issued a series of stamps in honor of many famous Tour riders. Among them our Jan Janssen, the winner of the Tour de France in 1968. Here are a few more prominent riders from the 60s, from left to right: Jacques Anquetil, Rudy Altig, Tommy Simpson, Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx, and Julio Jamesez. TNT Subscription stamps issued this PPZ in the 1960s nostalgia series: Jan Janssen wins the Tour de France (1968) In 1972, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea issued a commemorative "sheet" on the occasion of the 59th Tour de France for, among others, the multiple Tour winner Eddy Merckx, who also won the Tour de France that year (for the fourth time). A year later, in 1973, the 70th anniversary of the Tour was celebrated with the organization of the sixtieth race. The Spaniard Louis Ocana became the winner. MANAMA, a branch of Ajman, managed to produce most of the cycling stamps related to the Tour de France in the 70s.

Joop Sweet Milk

Joop was a professional cyclist from 1970 to 1987. The most notable events on Joop Zoetemelk's impressive list of honors are his victory in the 1980 Tour de France and the world title in 1985. Upon his retirement, Cobra artist Corneille created a beautiful lithograph titled “Hommage du Champion du Monde Joop Zoetemelk”. Fausto Coppi was also honored by Italy in 1999 with the issuance of this bicycle stamp. Just like Ajman and Manama, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea had avid cycling enthusiasts in its postal organization. Many bicycle stamps were issued, both perforated and/or imperforate. Leo Duijndam, winner of the 205 km long 8th stage of the 59th Tour of 1972. W. Teirlinck J. Huysmans

Postmarks

Postmarks are a welcome addition to the bicycle lore. For instance, many stage stamps have been produced. Even if the postal item does not have a bicycle stamp, it still belongs within the BICYCLE theme. Beautiful postmarks from the 5th stage on July 2, 1985 Postmark July 9, 1987 stage to Renazé Postmark July 10, 1987 relocation to Futuroscope

The Yellow Jersey

The sports magazine L'Auto (later L'Equipe) was printed on yellow paper. That yellow paper became the reason for adorning the race leader with the yellow jersey. Some yellow jersey wearers: Aimar and Bahamontes; Van Springel and Gimenez. The world's most influential long-distance cycling race. Tanzania commemorates time trialist R. Pensec in 1990 Another “foreign” Tour start in 1989 Andreotto in the 1993 Tour Cover with yet another beautiful postmark from the 1st stage in 1993 in Andorra. Luxembourg commemorates Francois Faber in 2002 with a postage stamp. Francois Faber was the first Luxembourger to win the Tour de France in 1909. He participated in this cycling event six times: 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913, and 1914. During the First World War, Francois enlisted in the Foreign Legion in 1915 and was killed in action at the age of 28 as a corporal at Carency. Since June 29, 1989, a bronze commemorative plaque for the first Luxembourgish Tour de France winner has been located in the city park in Luxembourg. His name had previously been given to several streets. 2003 – The Tour de France turns 100 years old!! In October of that year, the World Road Championship was held. 2007 – Beautiful illustration by the Belgian designer: Jean Libert (born August 27, 1954) is a Belgian graphic designerAfter studying at Fine ArtsHe began a career in advertising. In 1973, he joined the advertising department of La Poste (the French postal service). In 2009, Andorra and Monaco paid tribute to the Tour de France by issuing these colorful cycling stamps. _______________________________________________________________________ I bought the personalized stamps for the Tour start in Rotterdam via Marktplaats from Ad B from Barendrecht. If you receive mail franked with a Tour stamp, I would be very grateful to receive it. Cycling-themed greetings, Jan van Tellingen, Appelgaard 63, 3962JC Wijk bij Duurstede.