When a Flat Tire Revolutionized the History of Cycling#
Imagine for a moment that it’s Saturday, June 5, 1892, 3:20 p.m., and 73 cyclists set off on a 400 km race from the Parc de Vincennes, heading toward Place de Jaude in Clermont-Ferrand. This is how the first “Michelin Paris-Clermont International Race” began, oddly nicknamed “The Nail Race.”
But why this nickname?#
It all began a year earlier, in 1891, when an English cyclist with a flat tire walked through the doors of the Michelin factory. His bike, fitted with glued pneumatic tires that were particularly difficult to repair, immediately caught the attention of Édouard and André Michelin. Frustrated by the slow repair process, the two brothers searched for a solution, leading to the creation of the modern removable tire.
Later that same year, their innovation proved its effectiveness during the famed Paris-Brest-Paris race: Charles Terront won with more than an eight-hour lead, thanks to these revolutionary tires.
A spectacular race to convince#
The Michelin brothers, always ready to make a big splash, decided to definitively prove the efficiency of their invention. Thus was born the idea of the Michelin Paris-Clermont International Race in 1892. Participants were required to use Michelin tires secured with lead seals to prevent cheating, and they could only use one bicycle.
To make an even bigger impression, the organizers deliberately scattered thousands of nails between Nevers and Riom, surprising and confusing the competitors. Their objective was to clearly demonstrate that their removable tires could be repaired more quickly and easily than those of their competitors.
Guaranteed media buzz#
The finish line in Clermont-Ferrand, at Place de Jaude, drew huge crowds and the press, thanks to the spectacular staging orchestrated by Michelin.
Although the first cyclist crossed the finish line at 7:49 a.m., he was quickly disqualified for changing his bike and using Dunlop tires. The real winner arrived at 8:58 a.m.—Henri Farman, an 18-year-old cycling enthusiast and future aviation pioneer.
Of the 73 initial participants, 61 cyclists finished the race—an exceptional finisher rate given the particularly grueling conditions of the era.
A lasting legacy#
Beyond the sporting feat, this race marked a major technical and media revolution in the history of both tires and cycling. The Michelin brothers even took the opportunity to publish the route in an accordion-fold format, a forerunner of the future Michelin road maps, officially marketed starting in 1910.
Relive this remarkable cycling adventure today through our Michelin Paris-Clermont event, taking place on September 6, 2025.
Sources#
- La Bicyclette - Gallica
- Article by Anne-Sophie Simonet - 7 Jours à Clermont
- Archives from L’Aventure Michelin
- Le Grenier de Monmoulins