Paris-Toulouse-Paris, Motorcycles, Men

There were 16 different automobile contests at the 1900 Paris Exposition. The drivers drove from Vincennes to Montgeron, where they departed for the timed part of the race at 3:07 in the morning, with two-minute intervals between the contestants, covering a course from Paris to Toulouse and back, whose distance is variably mentioned at 1,347 to 1,443 km. The race took place in three stages over three days – Paris-Toulouse, Toulouse-Limoges, Limoges-Paris. Fifty-five (55) vehicles started the three Paris-Toulouse-Paris events, from 78 entrants, but only 21 finished, with 9 cars, 9 motorcycles, and 3 small cars (voiturettes) making it to the finish line, although only 18 had a time recorded.

This event was won by Georges Teste, who rode a De Dion motorcycle, a Outhenin-Chalandre machine. He finished the course almost 3½ hours ahead of Victor Collignon. Teste received a prize of 2,000 francs, from a total purse of 8,000 francs, and a gold medal for winning. The race was marred by one motorcyclist falling due to a combination of sunstroke and champagne. The temperature during the race was noted to be around 40° C. (104° F.)