|
Top 20 All Time Major Classics:
Special Note: the now defunct Bordeaux-Paris classic (last run in 1988) is not one of cycling's 5 monuments, but it was one the most prestigious races of its time. This episode of the Classic needs to be honored for the grandeur of the accomplishment.
Bordeaux-Paris 1965: AN IMPOSSIBLE DOUBLE CR Timeline 1965
At the start of the 1965 season Jacques Anquetil was a hallowed hero in the world of professional cycling. There wasn't much left for Anquetil to achieve. He had already won five Tour de France championships and accomplished the prestigious Tour-Giro double in 1964. He had the most Grand Tour victories (8) surpassing Fausto Coppi's 7 victories. But he continued to suffer a negative perception in the minds and hearts of the French people. In contrast his archrival and eternal second Raymond Poulidor enjoyed the popularity that had eluded Maitre Jacques.
In the spring of 1965, Anquetil's Director Sportif, Raphael Geminiani proposed an extraordinary and very unique feat. The task was to win the Dauphine Libere (May 22 to 29, 1965) and less than 24 hours later (on the opposite side of France ) attempt to win the classic Bordeaux-Paris. Media speculation began immediately; the skeptics said Anquetil would ride the Dauphine for training and ride Bordeaux-Paris for show, other suggested he would abandon both, but his closest friends said “he will win both!”
In February when Geminiani first presented the idea, the immediate response from Anquetil was, “You're insane!” Only after considerable persuasion and a promise that if he failed Geminiani would assume the responsibility for the ridiculous idea, Anquetil did agree to attempt the incredible, Impossible Double .
The first hurdle was to win in the Dauphine . Raymond Poulidor had just raced the Vuelta a Espana and had great fitness (he finished second to Rolf Wolfshohl). Anquetil started strong and gained the race lead on stage 3 with Poulidor one place behind. By the finish in Avignon , Anquetil had gained a 1'43” victory over Poulidor. From the moment of victory in the Dauphne Libere a horrific process began:
15:00 Dauphine victory for Anquetil
16:58 Officials finalize the last stage of the Dauphine
17:00 Anquetil completed the award ceremony
17:55 He rushed to a shower
18:20 He got into a Ford Taunus for transfer to the airport in Nimes
18:30 Arriving at the airport, he climbed into an airplane made available by the French Government
18:56 The airplane took off for Bordeaux
19:35 The airplane landed in Bordeaux , quickly he is transferred to a hotel for a brief rest and a mid- night Pre-race meal
02:00(AM!) He is at the start line for the grueling Bordeaux-Paris
The Bordeaux-Paris road race was a great classic. It traveled 567 km from Bordeaux to Paris , with some sections paced by a derny (a small motorbike). To Anquetil's loathing the early kilometers of the race were rainy and difficult conditions. By 4 o'clock in the morning a fatigued Anquetil was on the verge of abandoning the race. He climbed off the bike and into the team car when Geminiani used extreme powers of persuasion to convince him to continue. “If you want to be a quitter…?” said Geminiani. Out of the car and onto the bike jumped Anquetil.
Francois Mahe had a considerable lead of 6 minutes until Anquetil, Tom Simpson and Jean Stablinski worked to close the gap. After catching and dropping Mahe the breakaway became 2 riders, Anquetil and Englishman Tom Simpson. Twenty kilometers from the finish (547 km into the race) an inspired Matre Jacques upped the pace and shed Simpson. He entered the Parc des Princes velodrome alone to a thunderous ovation. With victory in this Impossible Double Jacques Anquetil became the sensation of France and received the greatest ovation of his career.
Dauphiné Libéré: May 22 to 29, 1965
1st: Jacques Anquetil 42h04'36”
2nd: Raymond Poulidor +1'43"
3rd: Karl-Heinz Kunde +5'58"
4th: Lucien Aimar +8'53"
5th: Roger Pingeon +10'22" |
Bordeaux - Paris : May 30, 1965
1st: Jacques Anquetil 15h03'03"
2nd: Jean Stablinski +57"
3rd: Tom Simpson, same time
4th: François Mahé +7'34"
5th: Jean Claude Lefèbvre 9'47" |
|
|
| Dauphiné Libéré |
554 km, May 22-29, 1965 |
1. Jacques Anquetil 42h04'36”
2. Raymond Poulidor +1'43"
3. Karl-Heinz Kunde +5'58"
4. Lucien Aimar +8'53"
5. Roger Pingeon +10'22"xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
|
Starters: 100 |
Finishers: 65 |
| |
| Bordeaux-Paris |
557 km, May 30, 1965 |
1. Jacques Anquetil (Fra) 15h03'03"
2. Jean Stablinski (Fra) +57"
3. Tom Simpson (GBr) +57"
4. François Mahé (Fra) +7'34"
5. Jean Claude Lefèbvre (Fra) +9'47" xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
Starters: 11 |
Finishers: 10 |
Average Speed: 37.007 km/h |
.
|
