Who is the youngest winner of the Tour de France?

Henri Cornet is the youngest winner of the Tour de France. He was awarded the 1904 title at age 19, making him the only rider to win the race before turning 20.

Cornet’s victory came after one of the most chaotic editions in Tour history. He originally finished fifth, but an investigation found widespread rule-breaking among leading riders, including illegal train and automobile assistance. The Union Vélocipédique Française disqualified the first four finishers, including 1903 winner Maurice Garin, and Cornet was promoted to first place several months after the race.

The result is sometimes confused with the record for youngest rider to win a stage, or with modern champion Tadej Pogačar, who won the Tour at 21. Cornet’s record remains intact because it concerns the overall general-classification winner. Born Henri Jardry, he raced under the name Henri Cornet and was nicknamed “Le Rigolo,” or “the joker.” He later won Paris–Roubaix in 1906.