Tour de France history: In cycling, heroes are born, tragic figures are made and exciting stories are written. In the next three weeks we look back on various events of the Tour de France. Richard Virenque is starting today. The now 49-year-old Frenchman captured the hearts of French fans exactly 27 years ago. The pugnacious character and the viewers who yearn for success began their love affair, which was peppered with many ups and downs.
From 0 to 100: Virenque became an instant crowd pleaser
We write them Tour de France 1992. Since 1985, the French have been waiting for their next hero. For the spectators who were used to success, six years without a local tour winner was a long time. Had they known then that 27 years later they were still waiting for Bernard Hinault's successor, Richard Virenque's career might have been different. Because the expectations placed on him grew rapidly. The mountain specialist, who was born in Casablanca, started his career in 1991. A year later he made his debut in the Tour of France. Immediately he managed to himself in the hearts of the fans to drive. With his aggressive and offensive driving style, he caused a spectacle. That's exactly what the French fans wanted to see. And they got more: Because Richard Virenque was supposed to storm into the yellow jersey in his first Tour de France.
Yellow: Richard Virenque celebrates second place in Pau
In 1992 the Tour de France started in Spain. That's how the second stage started in San Sebastián. On the way to Pau (FR) it got mountainous. The classification and climbers had to present themselves unusually early. Richard Virenque snuck into the breakaway of the day. The just once 22 year old was for the little one Team RMO still a blank slate on the road and in the driver's field. But on the July 6, 1992 he made a name for himself. Together with the Spaniard Javier Murguialday, he breaks away from the main field and saves a lead of around five minutes to the finish. Although Richard Virenque didn't win the stage, he still celebrated when he crossed the finish line. What he already knew: That Yellow jersey belongs to him! In the last few kilometers, Richard Virenque lost every second. After the stage, he led the overall standings by 4:34 over Miguel Indurain.
1994: Breakthrough to become a top climber
Unfortunately, Richard Virenque was only allowed to wear the yellow jersey for one day. Because on the third stage he became a victim of his own team tactics. His colleague and compatriot Pascal Lino slipped into the breakaway group of the day so that the RMO team didn't have to do any tracking work in the peloton. In the end, no other team could be found to close the gap and Pascal Lino was suddenly almost two minutes ahead of Richard Virenque in the overall standings. From then on, of course, people drove for him. Joining forces managed to wear the yellow jersey for another eleven days before last year's winner Miguel Indurain took over the scepter. Richard Virenque ended up 25th overall. His second place in the mountains classification should be a pointer even then. 1994 finally made his breakthrough. With fifth place overall and his first mountain jersey win, he rose to become one of the best riders in the world. And the beautiful part of his Tour de France story began.
Spotted instead of yellow: Virenque begins the hunt
Even in his early days, it was clear that the Frenchman's weaknesses were to be found in his fight against the clock. But as he got stronger and stronger in the mountains, he was able to make up for these deficits with his aggressive driving style. 1996 and 1997 get the best results. In the overall standings, he was only beaten by Team Telekom. First won Bjarne Riis, dann Jan Ullrich. The era of Miguel Indurain was over and the French fans now saw in Richard Virenque their best chance to finally win the Tour de France again. But Virenque always kept at least one eye on the dotted jersey. He won that mountain jersey seven times in his career. Just as often he was allowed over stage wins to cheer. His trademark: an arm and index finger stretched vertically upwards.
The deep fall: Virenque becomes the face of the Festina scandal
After his second and third place finishes in previous years, Richard Virenque left 1998 as a favorite in the Tour de France. In France, the question was not IF Virenque would win the Tour de France, only WHEN. The dry spell should finally come to an end. But things turned out differently – very differently. Because instead of celebrating the long-awaited next French Tour victory, the 1998 Tour de France became a Tour de Farce. The media talked about the “pharmacy on wheels” and sport took a back seat. That was the main focus Team Festina. Nurse Willy Voet, sports director Bruno Roussel and team doctor Eric Ryckaert were taken into custody. On July 23, the police also interrogated the drivers. Richard Virenque tearfully protested his innocence. The tour ended without him and his team. It won Marco Pantani in front of Jan Ullrich.
The Comeback: Virenque comes back purified
Since Richard Virenque continued to protest his innocence and he never tested positive, the French could not be banned. In 1999, for example, he once again won the mountain classification and a stage in the Tour de France. French fans were divided. Some saw him as a liar and a sinner, while others saw him as the innocent, highly talented future Tour winner. But after the systematic practice of doping in Team Festina was cleared up and Richard Virenque confessed, he was suspended for seven months. With his comeback, fans were again divided: to forgive or not? Due to his active driving style, his significantly weaker results and his honest and authentic appearance, the prodigal son was once again welcomed with open arms. He was considered a refined professional. As a person who made a mistake and was allowed to learn from it. In 2004 Richard Virenque ended his active career. Since then he has worked for Eurosport France. And fans have been waiting since 1985 for the next French Tour winner.
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