Tour de France history: The Tour de France has produced many duels in its more than 100-year history. The viewers got to see probably the most intense in the 60s. The special feature: Raymond Poulidor never won his duel against Jacques Anquetil. In turn, he was the first professional to win the Tour de France five times. But the French loved Raymond Poulidor.
Anquetil was stronger, Poulidor more popular
From strawberry picker to professional cyclist. Jacques Anquetil made the leap from Normandy worker to Tour de France star. In 1957 he took part in the Tour of France for the first time - and promptly won by almost 15 minutes. He won his other titles between 1961 and 1964. Meanwhile, he also won the other two major state tours, making him one of the strongest professional cyclists of all time. However, he was never the most popular. Much better than "Monsieur Chrono" the French liked theirs "Poupou". Raymond Poulidor made it onto the podium eight times in the Tour de France – but never won. So his name became synonymous with "eternal second" and he became known across the country as "the man who could never win the Tour de France". In 1964 Raymond Poulidor was closer than ever. But on the 12 July he let himself be fooled.
July 12, 1964: elbow duel at the Puy de Dôme
French sports history was made on July 12, 1964. As a strong time trialist, Jacques Anquetil went into the high mountains with a lead as usual. In 1964, however, Raymond Poulidor remained within striking distance. The 20th from Brive to the Puy de Dôme become in the Massif Central. They drove side by side elbow to elbow up the final climb. Anquetil was flat. But the experienced Frenchman was able to hide this from his compatriot. Poulidor didn't want to take any risks with an early attack - and waited. Only just before the finish he attacked and saw that Anquetil was completely exhausted. Nevertheless, Poulidor could only do that that day 14 seconds do well. In Paris he missed 55 seconds to the tour victory. Anquetil won the Tour de France for the fifth time. Raymond Poulidor was second again. He was never to wear the yellow jersey for even a single day.
Poulidor was nevertheless a successful professional
The duel between Anquetil and Poulidor divided France. On the one hand the cool, unapproachable series winner Anquetil, on the other hand the down-to-earth, likeable Poulidor. At a time when people defined themselves by their choices, they felt compelled to choose a side. Beatles or Rolling Stones? Anquetil or Poulidor? Even if Poulidor is mostly known today for his lost duels, he was able to celebrate successes in his career. He won the Vuelta a Espana in 1964. Throughout his career he was allowed over 195 wins celebrate, including seven stage wins in the Tour de France. In addition, he still enjoys the popularity of cycling fans today. Not least because he Grandfather of Mathieu van der Poel is. In 1966 he was the first professional to join a doping test let undergo. While the other drivers refused and went on strike, Poulidor stayed in the background and defended the controls.
Anquetil was a combative character
The 1966 scenery well described the differences between the two characters. Poulidor showed understanding for the controls and wanted to serve as a role model. Anquetile however, launched a counterattack and was one of those who called for a strike. After his career he admitted to taking doping substances. He died of stomach cancer in 1987. Today it is assumed that due to the years of doping use is ill. Jacques Anquetil continued to make headlines long after his death. In her book "For the Love of Jacques" his daughter Sophie revealed to the public that he had been in bigamy lived - with his wife Jeanine and his stepdaughter Annie. According to Sophie, he fathered children with his stepdaughter and with his daughter-in-law. According to their own statements, Sophie is said to be the daughter of Jacques Anquetil and his stepdaughter Annie. However, this was not known to the general public during his lifetime.