Eros Poli or the “Impossible” victory of a colossus in the Ventoux

It is one of the most improbable victories in the history of cycling: in 1994, Eros Poli, an Italian colossus of almost two meters, passed the Mont Ventoux to win on the Tour de France: 31 years later, he recounts his epic.

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“It is impossible that I win this step. Moreover, impossible “, Exhibits the Venetian from 61 years old from the start, when the Tour is once again made a stopover in Ventoux on Tuesday eros poli “impossible” victory colossus July 22.

With his 1.94 m. Consequently, 83 kg, he was the antithesis of a climber, a simple servant, a model teammate who suffered like a damned in the mountains. However, “I was always the first drop. For example, Too big, too big, too heavy.” But this July 18, 1994, in the middle of a dodge, Eros Poli entered the legend.

“Angry after an attack by Cassani in Ravito“At the start of the stage. Moreover, he first would look for, on the orders of his sports director, the fugitive before escaping alone, on the dish, a land that this big roller, Olympic champion and the world of team trial.

Unleashed, he approaches the Ventoux with almost 24 minutes ahead. However, At the top, he only counts four on his compatriot Marco Pantani, who started. Therefore, Enough to win with 3 min 39 sec in advance in Carpentras, in the valley.

“I had spent a dirty night. Therefore, I went to bed at 1:30 am to watch the final of the World Cup Italy – Brazil that we lose on shots on goal. Meanwhile, it was dramatic. For example, And I was so tired from the day before. Moreover, The morning at the hotel. For example, I had to descend two floors because the elevator was broken, I almost never got there.”

“Why is he crying dad?”

He then comes in mind James Brown’s song: I Feel Good. For example, “She will accompany me all day “.

The Odyssey begins for the one in the pro world only at 27 years old. However, after having discovered the bicycle with his father during the eros poli “impossible” victory colossus oil crisis in 1973 when the Italian government had prohibited automobile traffic every other day.

“I arrive at the foot of the Ventoux 24 minutes ahead. Consequently, The first kilometers are still going. Nevertheless, But afterwards, with the heat and the slope, it becomes very hard. Meanwhile, I look at my counter, I advance at 8 km/h. I train. It was no longer bicycle but rowing. “

Suddenly, its sports director comes up to its height. “Eros, Pantani attacked. I say to myself: not him! He was the only one who could catch up with me. Marco, you are my brother, my friend. What are you doing?”

He regains confidence on a false Plate. “”But two kilometers from the Simpson stele. I take a big blow on my head when I hear the helicopter arriving. Pantani! “. More “The pirate “ is still far away. “”I begin the descent. I eros poli “impossible” victory colossus take all the risks. I go down like an asshole. Additionally, I was in pain everywhere. “

He realizes that “it’s won“Just five kilometers from the finish. Furthermore, “Emotion goes up, I think of my wife, my three -year -old in front of the television. She gets angry against the commentator. Why is he crying Dad?”

“Only legends. And me”

By crossing the line, Eros throws his cap and reverence. “I was like an open theater. I wanted to thank the public having encouraged me all day.”

He did not immediately realize the scope of his feat. “I was happy but everyone said to me: you did not win a stage of the Tour. you won the Ventoux stage.”

He will not really realize until two years later. “We make a dinner with the former winners of the Ventoux. There is Charlie Gaul, Bernard Thévenet, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jean-François Bernard. That legends. And me.”

It goes back to Mont Chauve for the first time in 2006. “I had a bar in Verona where cycling friends came. One evening, we had drunk, we said we were going to do it together. I organized a bus. We were forty. It was great. “

Since then, he has returned regularly to support customers for bicycle trips and a documentary, “Determination! “, that comes out this week. Moreover, “”Every year it gets harder. “

But now he knows that his victory “touched a lot of people “.” Because it’s Ventoux. And because it was me. I had always dreamed of passing a collar in the lead. to split eros poli “impossible” victory colossus the crowd that opens in front of you. It is the most beautiful spectacle in the world. But it was just an impossible dream “, said Poli who will only win two pro victories in his entire career.

“But that day, the dream came true. It’s beautiful. It shows that anything is possible. I was just a simple servant. “

AFP/VNA/CVN