Tour de France on Fixed?

"...I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!" (L'Équipe article of 1902)

My fav quote :)

I read that quote outside the Design Museum last year in their Tank where they're showing fixed wheel bicycles, is that where it also come from?