Tour de France, 1972 Bar Tray

The Tour de France was organized in 1903 to increase sales for the L’Auto newspaper. Henri Desgrange, the founder of the Tour, thought the ideal endurance race would be so difficult that only one rider would make it to the finish.

The 1972 edition of the race was a long-awaited clash between Eddy Merckx and Luis Ocaña after Ocaña crashed on Col de Menté in the 1971 Tour de France. After riding strongly in the first two weeks of the race and being the closest GC contender to Merckx, Luis Ocaña crashed once more, in the Pyrenees, leaving Merckx to battle Cyrille Guimard for the win. Guimard, having won four stages, had to leave the race after stage 17 in second place (he already was 7:58 behind at that point), but was given the combativity award after the race.  In 1972 Merckx not only took the yellow jersey he also won the points and combination classifications.

Size: 14.5 inches  (37 cm)

Note:  This tray does have some dent and dings and is a one of a kind item, please look carefully at the photos to determine condition.