In the second year of its appearance, “La Vie au Grand Air” mostly showed relatively many photos, combined with only very limited written comments on the events, they reported on. This one, on the first Tour de France, only fotos with accompanying comments were published. This would soon change, however, as more journalistst wrote for this excellent weekly magazine, that commented many more sports, next to motorracing. (Translation separately)
With permission of the Bibliothèque national francais gallica.bnf.fr
Text and photos compiled by motorracinghistory.com, Translation by DeepL deepl.com
La Vie au Grand Air – No. 46, July 30, 1899
THE TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBILE RACE
The Tour de France car race came to an end last Monday. This superbly organized event took place without any incidents or accidents, despite the fantastic speeds reached by the competitors. We are publishing a series of photographs of this race taken along the route by our special correspondent.
Page 0.
THE WINNER.
René de Knyff, who had been beaten by Charron in the Paris-Bordeaux race, brilliantly took his revenge. He finished first, nearly five hours ahead of the runner-up, having covered the 2,291-kilometer course in 44 hours, 44 minutes, and 49 seconds—an average speed of 51.3 kilometers per hour. (Michelin tires.)
A LAST-MINUTE DEFEAT.
The Count of Chasseloup-Laubat, who was second on the penultimate stage with a 27-minute lead over Girardot, was caught by Girardot in Evreux and finished third, five minutes behind the runner-up. (Michelin tires.)
THE FIRST TRICYCLE.
Teste, the first motorcyclist, finished fourth in the overall standings, less than an hour behind Chasseloup-Laubat. He completed the course in 50 hours, 58 minutes, and 8 seconds, at an average speed of 45 kilometers per hour. (Tricycle with a Dion and Boziloiz engine. (Michelin tires.)
A RATHER UNCOMFORTABLE SADDLE.
Tart, the former cyclist, finished second, half an hour behind the leader. Between Vichy and Périgueux, after breaking his saddle, Tart completed the stage sitting on his fuel tank. Our photograph shows him in this rather uncomfortable position. (Tricycle Clément, with a de Dion engine and Bouton transmission. (Vital tires.) (Photo by our special correspondent, Mr. J. Beau)
Page 544.
Mr. PINSON.
Mr. Pinson, whose driving was exceptionally steady throughout the race, was at the wheel of Mr. René de Knyff’s car, which finished second in the Paris–Bordeaux race. (Michelin tires.)
Mr. CLÉMENT, the well-known manufacturer, who took part in the Tour de France race. Following a breakdown during the first stage, Mr. Clément drove 700 kilometers nonstop to catch up with the other competitors. (Michelin tires.)
René de Knyff, who had been beaten by Charron in the Paris-Bordeaux race, brilliantly took his revenge.
A LAST-MINUTE DEFEAT. The Count of Chasseloup-Laubat, who was second on the penultimate stage. gallica.bnf.fr, modified by AI
Mr. Pinson, who finished second in the Paris–Bordeaux race.
Mr. CLÉMENT, the well-known manufacturer, who took part in the Tour de France race. gallica.bnf.fr, modified by AI
AFTER THE SECOND STAGE:
The motorcycle garage in Aix-les-Bains.
IN AIX-LES-BAINS.
The 12- and 16-horsepower cars resting after the Nancy–Aix-les-Bains stage.
IN VICHY. (Mr. Avis)
The smartest drivers roll up their sleeves and get to work.
After arriving in Vichy, Mr. Avis washes his car.
IN VICHY. The racing car driven by Mr. Boittier is being repaired after a crash caused by a cow. It should be noted that the racing cars performed wonderfully throughout the entire race. (Photos by our special correspondent, Mr. J. Beau.)
THE TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBILE RACE
We will publish the rest of the photographs from our special correspondent in our next issue.
Page 547.
(Photographs by our special correspondent, Mr. J. Beau.)
Mr. René de Knyff on the road, a few meters from the Vichy checkpoint (Michelin tires.)
Count de Dion. Count de Dion and Mr. Hénon’s car, very kindly made available to the special correspondent of Vie au Grand Air.
Girardot’s arrival in Nantes. Girardot placed second in the car category, having covered the 2,291 kilometers of the total route in 49 h. 36 m. 37 s. (Michelin tires.)
A WINNER DISQUALIFIED.
Mr. Levegh, who finished first in Cabourg, was disqualified for failing to sign in at the Aix-les-Bains checkpoint within the regulation time limit on the second day. (Michelin tires.)
Count de Dion and Mr. Hénon’s car, very kindly made available to the special correspondent of Vie au Grand Air. gallica.bnf.fr, modifié par IA
A WINNER DISQUALIFIED.
Mr. Levegh, who finished first in Cabourg, was disqualified for failing to sign in at the Aix-les-Bains checkpoint. gallica.bnf.fr, modifié par IA
Page 547.
Charron’s car at the Nantes garage. (Michelin tires.)
Béconnais’s arrival in Nantes.
In Nantes. Champagne is offered to Charron upon his arrival
CHARRON’S NEW CAR. The car in which the Paris-Bordeaux winner is competing in the Tour de France is a sixteen-horsepower car; on the right, Charron is leaning against his car. (Photo by Beau.)
Mr. Giraud – Mr. R. de Knylf – Mr. Avis (Photo by P. L.)
GIRAUD AND HIS CAR. This type of car is making its racing debut. It is a 30-horsepower, two-speed car with a very distinctive design.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE RACE The start of this automobile race—which has generated enormous interest—took place last Sunday. *La Vie est Grande* sent its photographer to follow the competitors from city to city so that its readers could get an accurate impression of this sporting event.
Béconnais – de Méaulne – Tart – Teste – Degrais – Cormier – Bardin: The surviving motorcycle riders in Cabourg. gallica.bnf.fr Photos modifié par IA.
LA VIE AU GRAND AIR, August 6 1899, Page 558.
LATEST NEWS FROM THE TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBILE RACE
“Father” Gleize, who held a commanding lead among the motorcyclists all the way to Aix-les-Bains and who, after an accident, finished seventh.
Gabriel, who led the voiturette cars for almost the entire route, finished second.
The workers who accompanied the competitors along the route.
Pinson—Levegh—Chasseloup-Laubat—Heath—Girardot—de Knyff—Clément—Boileau de Castelnau: The surviving small-car drivers, in Cabourg.
Béconnais – de Méaulne – Tart – Teste – Degrais – Cormier – Bardin:
The surviving motorcycle riders in Cabourg.
(Continued from the photos by our special correspondent, Mr. J. Beau.)