Technology and Tactics Evolve

The interwar period saw rapid technological advancement. Derailleurs, initially banned by Desgrange who considered them "unmanly," gradually gained acceptance. Multiple gears transformed climbing from pure suffering to tactical chess. Lighter materials—aluminum components and improved steel alloys—made bicycles more responsive.

Team Tactics Emerge

The introduction of national teams in 1930 revolutionized Tour tactics. Previously, riders competed as individuals or for commercial sponsors, leading to chaotic racing where alliances shifted constantly. National teams created clear hierarchies and strategies. Domestiques (literally "servants") sacrificed their chances to support designated leaders, introducing concepts of collective sacrifice for individual glory.

This system produced new controversies. Should a stronger teammate be allowed to attack the designated leader? The French team's internal battles between André Leducq and Antonin Magne captivated audiences while frustrating team management. The tension between individual ambition and collective responsibility became a defining theme that persists today.