Raymond Poulidor was one of those that have could appreciate. always sincere, humble, with a simplicity that made his reputation. Poulidor, it was the face of France years 1960. A peasant Creuse became champion of the Tour de France, a story that inspired whole generations. The legend “saved” has written throughout his anthology games against Jacques Anquetil, the other great figure of the time the tricolor cycling. Jacques, the “diabolical”, five-time winner of the Tour de France, and Raymond, “l’innocent”, eternal second. Both men have divided France according to their deeds, then a people entirely vowed admiration without limit the immense champions. Italy had their great duel in the time of Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, France would Anquetil and Poulidor.
1960, Poulidor into dance
Poulidor was turned professional in 1960 in the Mercier team. From the beginning, the public is enthusiastic about this young man, which quickly won some successes. from 1961, the French is illustrated on Primavera, Milan San Remo, by winning after a very bad start race, before the world champion Rik Van Looy. A prestigious victory, which will see the first tremors of this popular momentum that would mark his career. France has discovered a new champion, a new idol, and recognizes himself in this boy tying equally amazed his audience
1962, first Tour de France
When Raymond Poulidor takes the start of his first Grande Boucle, this is with one arm in plaster. Unable to defend himself on the early stages, he concedes several minutes, and sees his hopes of victory dwindle very quickly. But a legend can not be written without some exploits, and it is on the 19th stage the audience will discover the nature of fasting Raymond, who embarks on a heroic escape, out to conquer his first laurels on the roads of France Tours. He won solo, far ahead of Anquetil, Bahamontes et consorts, and just take 3rd place in Tour, a first achievement that will make him one of the most popular riders managed to pack by her audience, all happy to have found a rival to Jacques Anquetil domineering.
Poulidor, darling of French
In the following years, Raymond Poulidor continues to impress, winning prestigious success, in the image of the arrow in Wallonne 1963. The public is waiting with unconcealed impatience revenge on the Tour, and the “poulidoristes” hope even drop the great Jacques Anquetil to benefit their foal. But over the years, despite numerous places of honor, stage victories and other memorable rides, the French can not get the grail. In 1964, after winning the Tour of Spain in May, Poulidor appears on the Tour with a special status. He will play the leading roles in this Great Loop through, but it is the 20th stage which will give it a new dimension, when it manages to give his rival in the final ascent. But Anquetil retain his yellow jersey for 14 seconds, exacerbating again the rivalry between the two camps, while the unfortunate Poulidor had conquered the heart of french.
An exceptional career
If Poulidor is known as the eternal second, we must not forget his (very) many successes, because he ended his career, at 41 years, with over 180 wins to. Milan San Remo, Flèche Wallonne, but the Criterium du Dauphine Paris or Nice, “saved” had acquired a track record that would make many envious today. Much of his fame resided no doubt in his losses to Anquetil, but Eddy Merckx, but his champion status will NOT been usurped. Especially since his second place, sometimes it was his lack of ambition, as he said himself : “That may be a hard thing to say, but I was not a very ambitious man. I left a few wealthy background and overnight, I had everything. I was well cared for, well massaged, the evening I did not care about my bike. And I often say, this popularity does me no favors”.
A champion close to his audience
And, still today, so many people liked Raymond Poulidor, it is also because it was a simple man, who did not behave like other champions, and was showing humility foolproof. Anyone could come and discuss with him turning a steeple race or stage of Tour de France, and the exceptional number of riders testimonials having exchanged with him attests. His fame extended far beyond his time, as Romain Bardet said at the announcement of his death : “Raymond Poulidor, it was a generational trait union that represents what the bike, a popular and accessible sports. This is a truly iconic character, public loved. He was the link with cycling anchored in territories. I remember him on the Tour but also in races steeples, next to the organizers”
“saved”, eternal inspiration
The announcement of his death has shaken the entire cycling world. runners, team managers, organizers and spectators were all affected by the departure of this great man of the tricolor sports, whose fame went far beyond cycling. The tributes to personalities from all sides, the image of Emmanuel Macron or Deschamps, testify to the size of this unconventional champion, who knew, a rarity, unanimous in a country often divided and quick to critics. An aura that will continue to inspire generations of cyclists, for whom Poupou memory will remain a pillar of French cycling. His grand-son, Mathieu Van Der Poel, triple world champion cyclocross, said he was very moved by the loss of his grandfather, was “his biggest fan” and followed very closely the results. After winning a world cup round this Saturday, the Dutch cricket supporters in the Victory to look restera Quality exemple une et here now embody in him seul les valeurs du sport, courage, the respect, humility and sharing
