International Expansion

By 1905, the Tour began attracting more international attention. Newspapers across Europe sent correspondents to cover the race. The first Italian team arrived in 1906, followed by organized squads from Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. Each brought national pride and distinct racing styles, enriching the Tour's tactical complexity.

Building Bridges

The early international riders served as cultural ambassadors. They returned home with stories of French hospitality and the beauty of the countryside, encouraging tourism. French riders who competed abroad brought back technical innovations and training methods. The Tour became a forum for sporting exchange that transcended national boundaries.

This international flavor added intrigue for spectators. National rivalries played out on the roads, with riders carrying the hopes of their countrymen. The sight of different national jerseys in the peloton turned the Tour into a rolling festival of European unity—remarkable given the political tensions that would soon explode into World War I.