By Paul Verkuylen
Cyclingnews' latest video in our collection takes a look back at the drama that was the centenary tour. From Beloki crashing out on Bastille Day, to Lance being taken out by a handbag and Ullrich crashing into the hay bails on the final time trial stage the tour was full of ups and downs.
In 2003 the Tour de France celebrated its centenary tour. It had been 100 years since Maurice Garin won the very first tour organised by Henri Desgrange, in 1903 to increase awareness of his magazine L'Auto. Since the the tour had been run 90 times, only stopping for the world wars, and has grown into the biggest annual sporting event world wide.
The centenary tour was a true celebration of the sport, and everyone involved combined to make it one of the most memorable. During the event le tour visited each town that hosted the start or finish of a stage during the very first tour de France as well as honouring each of its greats, who made the tour what it is today.
Of course Lance Armstrong went onto win that tour and in doing so also wrote his name into the history books as only the fifth rider in history to win the tour five times, and only the second to do so consecutively.
Click here to view the video.
