The Tour of Brittany

May 1, 1967. A handful of cycling enthusiasts, volunteers, launch a new event. The Breton Granite Ribbon connects Le Hinglé to Louvigné du Désert.
Popular sport par excellence, these few professional granite workers then set up an event which will constantly grow in size to promote granite quarries in Brittany. And this from the following year by joining the granite basin of Perros-Guirec over 2 days. Very quickly, in the 70s, over 3-4 then 5 days, runners from the USSR and Eastern Europe put their hands on the event which became international. The fame of the Breton race goes far beyond French borders. Dutch, Italians, Spanish, Belgians, Portuguese and even Americans come to face the terrible Soviets on Breton soil. Come the 80s then 90s which propelled Ruban Granitier into a new era.
Since 1991, the event has taken place over 7 days. The volunteers gradually realize the importance of their event in the international calendar. Certainly, it has been a long time since the best riders of the Ruban Granitier Breton came to flourish the ranks of professional teams, but in 1992, it was a phenomenon that entered cycling, smashing everything in its path. In barely 2 years, Evgueny Berzin went from the white jersey with a green stripe of the Ruban Granitier to the pink jersey of the Giro in a dazzling manner. Then will come other stars of modern cycling, Alberto Contador, John Degenkolb, Julian Alaphilippe, among others.
The volunteers then become fully aware that their event serves as a springboard for the best young people to access the professional world. And these volunteers put all their energy into making the race ever more beautiful and professional, to provide an incomparable setting for the discovery of talent. The Ruban Granitier Breton attracts ever-increasing numbers of runners, spectators, partners and volunteers who want to take part in the Breton cycling celebration.
We have therefore observed since the end of the 90s that these voluntary actors are no longer just cycling enthusiasts. Volunteering is evolving and so is the challenge. In 2006 the Ruban Granitier Breton became the Tour de Bretagne. The race has become that of all Bretons. A regional pride that exports well. Internationalization follows that of cycling. Runners are no longer just European or American. They are also Asian, Oceanian or African. The volunteers, cycling enthusiasts, or simply passionate about organization, are overflowing with qualities and desire to create this event which has become unmissable in the world of cycling and for all Bretons. Each area, the race itself, logistics, communication, security and many others, benefits from its capable and willing enthusiasts to put together such a week-long race.
Throughout these years, volunteering has continued to be the common thread of the Ruban Granitier and then the Tour de Bretagne. It is quite simply one of the only races of this level in the world to be organized solely by volunteers. More than a hundred at present for the race week, around twenty of whom are collaborating from the summer to establish the foundations of the event which brings Brittany together from April 25 to May 1 each year.
Sharing this happiness together and sharing it with as many people as possible is the strength of the Tour de Bretagne.