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Jacques Anquetil

Puy de Dôme Tour de France

Iconic Tour de France places: Puy de Dôme

Tour de France 2023 presented a great gift for every road cycling history fans: after 35 years Puy de Dôme was reintroduced to the race. Although the 9th stage of Tour de France 2023 was only the 14th appearance of the ascent, it became one of the most iconic places in the history road cycling thanks mainly to the epic battle between Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor in 1964. Nestled in the heart of the Massif Central in central France, Puy de Dôme is a lava dome and one of the youngest volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys region. The ascent was introduced to Tour de France in 1952 and had frequent appearance until 1988.… Read More »Iconic Tour de France places: Puy de Dôme

Eddy Merckx in the final individual time trial of Paris-Nice 1969

16 March 1969 Eddy Merckx wins Paris-Nice for the first time

During his extraordinary career, Eddy Merckx won Paris-Nice three times (1969, 1970 and 1971). The edition in 1969 was one of those few times, when he had the chance to compete against Jacques Anquetil, who rode his last Paris-Nice that year. Merckx became 1st, Anquetil 3rd, and it’s quite symbolic, that the thord man on the final podium was Raymond Poulidor. MORE EDDY MERCKX ON PELOTONTALES BLOG [su_posts posts_per_page=”3″ tax_term=”83″ order=”desc” orderby=”rand”] MORE RAYMOND POULIDOR ON PELOTONTALES BLOG [su_posts posts_per_page=”3″ tax_term=”740″ order=”desc” orderby=”rand”] MORE JACQUES ANQUETIL [su_posts posts_per_page=”3″ tax_term=”78″ order=”desc” orderby=”rand”]

Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil on the Puy de Dôme, Tour de France 1964

Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

The world of road cycling sometimes loves the second placed riders more than the winners. It’s especially the case of French cyclist, “The Eternal Second”, Raymond Poulidor (1936-2019), who rode Tour de France 14 times, he completed 12 of them, finished second of the general classification 3 times, and third 5 times. But he never wore the yellow jersey. (Which made the moment, when his grandson Mathieu van der Poel claimed the famous jersey in 2021 even more unique). Raymond Poulidor’s best years collided with Jacques Anquetil’s best years, their duel reached its peak at the Tour de France in 1964.1 Poulidor was more agressive, attack-friendly rider, who was good in the mountains, while Anquetil… Read More »Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

Iconic cycling images and iconic cycling places: Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme in 1964

Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme

According to the latest rumors, Tour de France will return to Puy de Dôme in 2023. Tour de France visited Puy de Dôme last time in 1988. Since the construction of a track railway and due to the very narrow road, it was told for many many years, that the return of the race to this iconic place is almost impossible. Now, it looks like, the impossible is going to be possible in next July. The iconic picture of Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor was taken on the 20th stage in 1964. Before the stage, Jacques Anquetil led the general classification with 56″ ahead of Raymond Poulidor, meanwhile third placed Federico Bahamontes was aready more… Read More »Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme

On this day in cycling history Jacques Anquetil wins his first Tour de France stage

29 June 1957 Jacques Anquetil’s first Tour de France stage victory

5-time Tour de France winner Jacques Anquetil attented the race for the first time in his career in 1957. Actually,  on 29th June 1957 there were two half stages: 3/a, a 15 km long team time trial and a 134 km long usual road stage. The time trial was won by the French team, which means, technically this was the first stage victory for Jacques Anquetil. But he delivered his first individual victory on the very same day. It migh have had a special importance for him, because the stage finished in Rouen, the town Anquetil has grown up nearby. Jacques Anquetil also won 3 further stages during the Tour de France in 1957. He… Read More »29 June 1957 Jacques Anquetil’s first Tour de France stage victory