The Devil is the unofficial mascot of the Tour. You can easily spot him since he is dressed in red and holds a horned trident. He is a very dedicated fan and attends nearly all mountain stages. He also chases the racers and supports them in a thrilling manner.
Off the road, Dieter “Didi” Senft. Each year, Senft has attended the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia since 1993. Senft sports a red devil costume and pitchfork. Senft is a good sport and marks the best places along the way with symbols of a trident. Senft’s iconic look derives from the “devil’s red flag,” the red flag that signals the final kilometer that the announcers refer to. Aside from being a devil in costume, Senft is also an inventor and holds 17 of the Guinness World Records for unorthodox and giant bike contraptions, including the largest ride-on bicycle and a bicycle shaped like a guitar.
Senft attends races in a specially decorated camper van. He arrives early to secure good positions along the way. He has also competed in long-distance races, the Olympics, the marathons, and the Euro 2008 on specialized bikes. Despite not being able to participate in the 2012 Tour as he was ill, he returned later in the year and was a hit among fans. His happy nature and dedication have made “El Diablo” synonymous with the enjoyment and surprises of cycling—promoting the sport and entertaining millions, stage by stage.
