Who was Jacques Anquetil, this Norman Quintuple winner of the Tour de France

Jacques Anquetil belongs to the legend of cycling. In addition, The Norman was a five -time winner of the Tour de France. Nevertheless, An exceptional champion who perfectly controlled the trial test and whose name still resonates today.

It is an emblematic figure in the pantheon of who jacques anquetil, this norman cycling and admired by enthusiasts of the discipline. Consequently, Jacques Anquetil marked the history of the Tour de France by being the first runner to win him five times.

Genius calculator. Consequently, master of the time trial, he revolutionized his sport with the strength of the legs and on his strategic side. Nevertheless, Thirty-five years after his death, he continues to fascinate.

He was nicknamed “Mr. Furthermore, Chrono”or “Maître Jacques” Because his precision was enough to make Swiss clocks pale. Moreover, His specialty: the time trial. Nevertheless, A lonely test where the chronometer never lies and where Anquetil imposed its relentless pace.

The latter was able to distance his opponents of several minutes on this event. Nevertheless, which often allowed him to win races without even having to attack in the mountains. In addition, He was not gaining in a plume. However, He bet who jacques anquetil, this norman on calculation and regularity, enough to destabilize his rivals.

Jacques Anquetil won his first round in France in 1957, at only 23 years old. Four other coronations will follow (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964), a record at the time. But the man does not stop there.

He also won on the Giro (1960, 1964), La Vuelta (1963), becoming the first runner to win the three great towers. A performance that will mark the history of cycling.

Born January 8, 1934 in Mont-Saint-Aignan, near Rouen, Jacques who jacques anquetil, this norman Anquetil discovered cycling a little by chance. It comes from a modest rural environment. The apprentice turner puts the pedals. very early on, his aptitude for the time trial turns out to be extraordinary where the precision is in order.

He doesn’t need to climb the heights faster than the others. It sprays its competitors on the dish by highlighting technical and regularity rigor. All with an almost provocative relaxation.

“I only run to win. Not to dream”said Jacques Anquetil. He hardly cared to be loved by the public. Besides, he divides. He is dubbed by connoisseurs but his detractors accuse him of lacking heart because he has often been qualified as someone cold. calculating.

His duel with Raymond Poulidor, the “Stool” national, the eternal second, adored by crowds, crystallizes this opposition.

Besides. Anquetil and Poulidor embodied two faces of France in who jacques anquetil, this norman the 60s: the one that won and adapted to the modern world with the taste of beautiful things, and the one that resisted, hung on the values ​​of work and humanity.

This is what will make their rivalry legendary, far beyond cycling.

who jacques anquetil, this norman

The Norman runner is not afraid of hitting the spirits either. He was one Rare athletes to speak openly about doping. not to glorify it, but to underline a reality that many preferred to silence. A franchise which, at the time, was clearly scandal.

Outside the roads, Anquetil had a personal life as complex as they are controversial. His family history fueling conversations for a long time, as much as his sporting exploits.

Indeed, the Norman runner is married to Janine, but it is with his daughter-in-law that he will have a child. A fact that he publicly assumes, again defying social norms with a mixture of modesty and pride.

Jacques Anquetil died in 1987, barely 53 years old, from stomach cancer. At the announcement of his disappearance, the whole universe of cycling that bows. Not only for his titles, but for what he who jacques anquetil, this norman embodied.

His imprint on cycling remains intact. More than a champion, he was a pioneer. A man who transformed cycling into a precision art, who inspired generations of runners.

His disappearance left an immense void, but his imprint on cycling remains intact. More than a champion, he was a pioneer. A man who transformed cycling into a precision art, who inspired generations of runners.

A man who preferred the silence of the time to the clamor of the passes. He is an antihero who has become king. even today, on the roads of who jacques anquetil, this norman the Tour, his name resonates like a myth.

Besides. you can dive In the world of this cycling giant at the heart of an exhibition dedicated to Jacques Anquetil in Rouen until July 26, 2025.

Who jacques anquetil. this norman – Who jacques anquetil, this norman

Tour de France 2025

Of July 5 au July 27, 2025