1993 Tour de France
The 1993 Tour de France was the 80th edition of the Tour de France, taking place from 3 to 25 July. It consisted of 20 stages, over a distance of 3,714 km (2,308 mi).
 Route of the 1993 Tour de France | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Race details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dates | 3–25 July | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stages | 20 + Prologue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | 3,714 km (2,308 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winning time | 95h 57' 09" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The winner of the previous two years, Miguel Indurain, successfully defended his title. The points classification was won by Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, while the mountains classification was won by Tony Rominger.
Teams
The organisers of the Tour, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), felt that it was no longer safe to have 198 cyclists in the race, as more and more traffic islands had been made, so the total number of teams was reduced from 22 to 20,[1] composing of 9 cyclists.[2] The first 14 teams were selected in May 1993, based on the FICP ranking.[3] In June 1993, six additional wildcards were given; one of which was given to a combination of two teams, Chazal–Vetta–MBK and Subaru.[4] The Subaru team did not want to be part of a mixed team, so Chazal was allowed to send a full team.[5]
The teams entering the race were:[2]
Qualified teams
Invited teams
Pre-race favourites
The defending champion Miguel Indurain was the big favourite, having won the 1993 Giro d'Italia earlier that year.[6]
Route and stages
The route was unveiled in October 1992. Most team directors expected it to be more difficult than the 1992 Tour de France.[1] The highest point of elevation in the race was 2,802 m (9,193 ft) at the Cime de la Bonette loop road on stage 11.[7][8]
| Stage | Date | Course | Distance | Type | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 3 July | Le Puy du Fou | 6.8 km (4.2 mi) |  | Individual time trial |  |
| 1 | 4 July | Luçon to Les Sables-d'Olonne | 215.0 km (133.6 mi) |  | Plain stage |  |
| 2 | 5 July | Les Sables-d'Olonne to Vannes | 227.5 km (141.4 mi) | | Plain stage | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| 3 | 6 July | Vannes to Dinard | 189.5 km (117.7 mi) | | Plain stage |  |
| 4 | 7 July | Dinard to Avranches | 81.0 km (50.3 mi) | | Team time trial | GB–MG Maglificio |
| 5 | 8 July | Avranches to Évreux | 225.5 km (140.1 mi) | | Plain stage |  |
| 6 | 9 July | Évreux to Amiens | 158.0 km (98.2 mi) | | Plain stage | |
| 7 | 10 July | Péronne to Châlons-sur-Marne | 199.0 km (123.7 mi) | | Plain stage | |
| 8 | 11 July | Châlons-sur-Marne to Verdun | 184.5 km (114.6 mi) | | Plain stage |  |
| 9 | 12 July | Lac de Madine | 59.0 km (36.7 mi) | | Individual time trial | |
| 13 July | Villard-de-Lans | Rest day | ||||
| 10 | 14 July | Villard-de-Lans to Serre Chevalier | 203.0 km (126.1 mi) |  | Stage with mountain(s) |  |
| 11 | 15 July | Serre Chevalier to Isola 2000 | 179.0 km (111.2 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | |
| 12 | 16 July | Isola to Marseille | 286.5 km (178.0 mi) | | Plain stage | |
| 13 | 17 July | Marseille to Montpellier | 181.5 km (112.8 mi) | | Plain stage |  |
| 14 | 18 July | Montpellier to Perpignan | 223.0 km (138.6 mi) | | Plain stage |  |
| 15 | 19 July | Perpignan to Pal | 231.5 km (143.8 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) |  |
| 20 July | Andorra | Rest day | ||||
| 16 | 21 July | Andorra to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet | 230.0 km (142.9 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) |  |
| 17 | 22 July | Tarbes to Pau | 190.0 km (118.1 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | |
| 18 | 23 July | Orthez to Bordeaux | 199.5 km (124.0 mi) | | Plain stage | |
| 19 | 24 July | Brétigny-sur-Orge to Montlhéry | 48.0 km (29.8 mi) | | Individual time trial | |
| 20 | 25 July | Viry-Châtillon to Paris (Champs-Élysées) | 196.5 km (122.1 mi) | | Plain stage | |
| Total | 3,714 km (2,308 mi)[13] | |||||
Race overview
The 1993 Tour started in the same way as the 1992 Tour: Indurain won, with Alex Zülle in second place.[6] The next stages were flat, and all finished in mass sprints. After the second stage, sprinter Wilfried Nelissen had collected enough time bonuses to become leader in the general classification.[6]
The team time trial in stage four was the first stage with significant effects on the general classification. Banesto (Indurain's team) came in seventh, losing more than one minute, but the biggest loser was Tony Rominger, whose Clas team lost more than three minutes.[6]
The contenders for the overall victory saved their energy in the next few stages, and cyclists who would not be a threat in the mountains were allowed to break away, with only the sprinters' teams trying to get them back. The sixth stage was run with an average speed of almost 49.5 kilometres per hour (30.8 mph), at that moment the fastest mass-start stage in the Tour.[6]
In the ninth stage, an individual time trial, the general classification changed. Indurain was a lot faster than the other cyclists, winning the stage with a margin of more than two minutes, and became the new leader in the general classification.[6]
The next stages were in the Alps. Tony Rominger attacked, trying to win back time. Although he was able to win the stage, Indurain had followed him closely, so Rominger did not win back any time. Other pre-race favourites lost considerable time this stage and were no longer in contention, such as Claudio Chiappucci, who lost more than eight minutes.[6]
In the eleventh stage, Rominger tried it again. But again, Indurain stayed with him. Rominger won the stage again, but the margin to Indurain stayed the same. Rominger did jump to the fourth place in the general classification, because Erik Breukink lost almost ten minutes.[6]
The next three stages were relatively flat, and the top of the general classification stayed the same. In the fifteenth stage, Pyrenean climbs were included. The stage was won by Oliverio Rincón, the only survivor of an early breakaway. Behind him, Rominger again tried to get away from Indurain, but was unable to do so.[6]
In the sixteenth stage, again in the Pyreneés, Rominger was finally able to get away from Indurain, but the margin was only three seconds. The seventeenth stage was the last stage with serious climbs, so the last realistic opportunity to win back time on Indurain, but this did not happen, so it seemed certain that Indurain would become the winner.[6]
The rest of the podium was determined in the individual time trial in stage 19. It was won by Rominger, with Indurain in second place. Rominger thus climbed to the second place in the general classification.
Classification leadership and minor prizes
There were several classifications in the 1993 Tour de France.[14] The most important was the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage. The cyclist with the least accumulated time was the race leader, identified by the yellow jersey; the winner of this classification is considered the winner of the Tour.[15]
Additionally, there was a points classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the points classification, cyclists got points for finishing among the best in a stage finish, or in intermediate sprints. The cyclist with the most points lead the classification, and was identified with a green jersey.[16]
There was also a mountains classification. The organisation had categorised some climbs as either hors catégorie, first, second, third, or fourth-category; points for this classification were won by the first cyclists that reached the top of these climbs first, with more points available for the higher-categorised climbs. The cyclist with the most points lead the classification, and wore a white jersey with red polka dots.[17]
The fourth individual classification was the young rider classification, which was not marked by a jersey. This was decided the same way as the general classification, but only riders under 26 years were eligible.[18]
For the team classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added; the leading team was the team with the lowest total time.[19]
In addition, there was a combativity award given after each mass-start stage to the cyclist considered most combative. The decision was made by a jury composed of journalists who gave points. The cyclist with the most points from votes in all stages led the combativity classification.[20] Massimo Ghirotto won this classification, and was given overall the super-combativity award.[10] The Souvenir Henri Desgrange was given in honour of Tour founder Henri Desgrange to the first rider to pass the summit of the Col du Galibier on stage 10. This prize was won by Tony Rominger.[21][22] The fair-play award was given to Gianni Bugno.[9]
- In stage 1, Alex Zülle wore the green jersey.
- In stages 3, 4, and 6, Mario Cipollini wore the green jersey.
Final standings
| Legend | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Denotes the winner of the general classification |  |
Denotes the winner of the points classification | |
 |
Denotes the winner of the mountains classification | |||
General classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Banesto | 95h 57' 09" |
| 2 | | CLAS–Cajastur | + 4' 59" |
| 3 | | GB–MG Maglificio | + 5' 48" |
| 4 | | Motorola | + 7' 29" |
| 5 | | Ariostea | + 16' 26" |
| 6 | | Carrera Jeans–Tassoni | + 17' 18" |
| 7 | | ONCE | + 18' 04" |
| 8 | | Motorola | + 20' 14" |
| 9 | | Banesto | + 23' 57" |
| 10 |  | Carrera Jeans–Tassoni | + 25' 29" |
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Points classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Lampre–Polti | 298 |
| 2 | | GB–MG Maglificio | 157 |
| 3 |  | Motorola | 153 |
| 4 | | Castorama | 149 |
| 5 | | GAN | 147 |
| 6 | | WordPerfect–Colnago–Decca | 145 |
| 7 | | Banesto | 136 |
| 8 | | Ariostea | 133 |
| 9 | | CLAS–Cajastur | 126 |
| 10 | | ZG Mobili | 120 |
Mountains classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | CLAS–Cajastur | 449 |
| 2 | | Carrera Jeans–Tassoni | 301 |
| 3 | | Amaya Seguros | 286 |
| 4 | | Banesto | 239 |
| 5 | | Festina–Lotus | 191 |
| 6 | | Motorola | 187 |
| 7 | | Ariostea | 155 |
| 8 | | GB–MG Maglificio | 153 |
| 9 |  | ZG Mobili | 136 |
| 10 | | Ariostea | 113 |
Young rider classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Amaya Seguros | 96h 27' 00" |
| 2 | | Amaya Seguros | + 3' 28" |
| 3 | | Festina–Lotus | + 8' 21" |
| 4 | | CLAS–Cajastur | + 23' 18" |
| 5 | | TVM–Bison Kit | + 23' 51" |
| 6 | | ZG Mobili | + 31' 44" |
| 7 | | Novemail–Histor–Laser Computer | + 45' 26" |
| 8 | | ONCE | + 49' 07" |
| 9 | | Castorama | + 50' 26" |
| 10 |  | Novemail–Histor–Laser Computer | + 53' 21" |
Team classification
| Rank | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrera Jeans–Tassoni | 288h 09' 5322 |
| 2 | Ariostea | + 47' 40" |
| 3 | CLAS–Cajastur | + 48' 49" |
| 4 | Festina–Lotus | + 1h 08' 42" |
| 5 | Banesto | + 1h 08' 57" |
| 6 | GB–MG Maglificio | + 1h 13' 59" |
| 7 | Motorola | + 1h 27' 22" |
| 8 | ZG Mobili | + 1h 35' 03" |
| 9 | Amaya Seguros | + 1h 48' 48" |
| 10 | ONCE | + 1h 51' 12" |
Combativity classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | ZG Mobili | 34 |
| 2 | | Ariostea | 25 |
| 3 | | Castorama | 23 |
Notes
References
- Abt, Samuel (30 October 1992). "Tour de France Has Rocky Road Ready For Riders in 1993". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- "The history of the Tour de France – Year 1993 – The starters". Tour de France. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- "Les premières équipes pour le Tour" (in French). Le Soir. 19 May 1993. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- Deblander, Bruno (16 June 1993). "Sept maillots pour completer le generique du Tour de France 1993; Six invitations et une fusion" (in French). Le Soir. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- Abt, Samuel (17 June 1993). "Angry U.S. Bike Team Says 'No' To Sharing Tour de France Slot". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- McGann & McGann 2008, pp. 211–216.
- Augendre 2016, p. 180.
- "Bergetappes in de Tour" [Mountain stages in the Tour]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 3 July 1993. p. 31 – via Delpher.
- "80ème Tour de France 1993" [80th Tour de France 1993]. Mémoire du cyclisme (in French). Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- Augendre 2016, p. 84.
- Zwegers, Arian. "Tour de France GC top ten". CVCC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- "The history of the Tour de France – Year 1993 – The stage winners". Tour de France. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Augendre 2016, p. 110.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, pp. 452–455.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, pp. 452–453.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, pp. 453–454.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, p. 454.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, pp. 454–455.
- Nauright & Parrish 2012, p. 455.
- van den Akker 2018, pp. 211–216.
- "Vier miljoen prijzengeld te verdienen" [Earn four million in prize money]. Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 5 July 1993. p. 14 – via De Krant van Toen.
- Augendre 2016, pp. 177–178.
- "Tour de France 1993 – Leaders overview". ProCyclingStats. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- van den Akker, Pieter. "Informatie over de Tour de France van 1993" [Information about the Tour de France from 1993]. TourDeFranceStatistieken.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- "The history of the Tour de France – Year 1993 – Stage 20 Viry-Chatillon > Paris". Tour de France. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
Bibliography
- Augendre, Jacques (2016). Guide historique [Historical guide] (PDF). Tour de France (in French). Paris: Amaury Sport Organisation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- McGann, Bill; McGann, Carol (2008). The Story of the Tour de France: 1965–2007. 2. Indianapolis, IN: Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59858-608-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Nauright, John; Parrish, Charles (2012). Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice. 2. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-300-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- van den Akker, Pieter (2018). Tour de France Rules and Statistics: 1903–2018. Self-published. ISBN 978-1-79398-080-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Further reading
- Walsh, David (1994). Inside the Tour de France. London: Stanley Paul. ISBN 978-0-09-178536-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
External links
