However, the race itself was a victim of its own success, plagued by scandals.
During the race, nine riders were excluded because of, among other actions, illegal use of cars or trains. The French cycling union (UVF) investigative committee heard testimony from dozens of competitors and witnesses, and in December 1904, disqualified (because of illegal agreements) all the stage winners and the first four finishers (Maurice Garin, Lucien Pothier, César Garin, and Hippolyte Aucouturier). Fifth-placed Henri Cornet, aged 20, became the youngest winner of the Tour. Ten of those disqualified were banned for one year, Garin for two years and the remaining two for life.