Part two of the collection of some of the funniest, strangest, and most outrageous historical facts from the Tour de France history. The first post you’ll find here.

Hitch Hiking: In 1937 the Belgian rider Sylvère Maes withdrew all of his national team after he considered his rival, Roger Lapébie had been punished too lightly for being towed uphill by car.

From http://spinwell.co.uk/

Playing Hooky: In one of the stages in 1950 the peleton got off their bikes and ran into the Mediterranean sea.The summer had been unusually hot! All involved were penalised by the judges.

Dinner time: Also in the 1950, two Italian teams went home after an incident where Gino Bartali thought a spectator had threatened him with a knife. It was really a fork.

Image

Mr. President: Pierre Beuffeuil took his only stage win in the Tour de France in 1960 when the rest of the race had stopped outside the French President Charles de Gaulles’ residence. Beuffeuil had been preoccupied fixing a flat tyre and was not informed about the race management’s decision to greet the President. Unaware of what was going on Beuffeuil came to the final destination believing he was the last one to arrive. He was somewhat amazed.

Thirsty: In 1997 the Belgian sprinter Tom Steels was expelled from the race for throwing his water bottle at another rider in a crowded sprint.