Originally Posted by Scooper
Prior to 1986, all of the TdF winners and the vast majority of participants were Europeans who had little or no awareness of the Schwinn Paramount. To most Europeans, Schwinn was an American company building mass produced carbon steel bikes. European riders were mostly sponsored by European bicycle manufacturers who provided their rides.
TdF winners win because of the engine they're using (their own blood, sweat, and muscles - with maybe a little help from EPO, HGH, and steroids), not the bike they're riding.
True enough. Thinking that the name on the bike was the actual maker is also false.
What was the first bike made in the USA to race in the TdF?
Small hints, Greg did not ride it and it had others' transfers on it.