52nd Tour de France 1965

Gimondi's Surprise Victory

Defending champion Jacques Anquetil opted not to race in 1965. Most cycling experts began speculation about a successor. Raymond “Pou Pou” Poulidor's name was prominently at the headed most lists. Nowhere on anyone's list appeared neo-pro Felice Gimondi (Ita). The Italian had been brought here to support his team leader Vittorio Adorni.

SPECIAL NOTE: For the first time in Tour history the start was held in West Germany.

SPECIAL NOTE: One innovation of note in 1965 was the start ramp for the individual time trials (ITT). The small platform gave the riders a rolling start into their TT effort.

Felice Gimondi rode aggressively early in the stages, breaking away from the other contenders and gaining valuable seconds. His aggressive riding gave him the Maillot Jaune (race leader's Yellow Jersey) on stage 3.

The Tour entered the Pyrenees Mountain on stage 9. A confident “Pou Pou” began his move to the top of the General Classification. Spanish climber Julio Jimenez attacked on the first climb and broke clear of the peloton. Poulidor rode prominently at the front of the chase group trying to shake race leader Gimondi. The strong chase was not enough to catch Jimenez and Poulidor tried but could not ride away from the pesky Gimondi. He finished 1 second behind Gimondi, but managed to move into second place overall, 3'12” behind the race leader.

SPECIAL NOTE: Rumors midway through the Tour began to swirl of a growing number of rider using performance-enhancing drugs. Race officials began discussions about the drug in the peloton and consider the institution of drug testing to address the problem. Realizing the resistance in the peloton, race officials proceed cautiously.

SPECIAL NOTE: Sadly, the abandonment of Federico Bahamontes on stage 10 in the Pyrenees Mountains signaled the end of grand TdF career. Bahamontes won the overall Tour in 1959 and won the Best Climber's Prize a record six times. It seemed fitting for such a great climber to end his career in his beloved mountains.

The unforgiving climb of Mont Ventoux was historical. Failed attacks of the past haunted a fragile confidence of the French favorite. Executing Magne's plan, Poulidor attacked from the bottom and sets a pace that few would follow. Only talented Spanish climber Julio Jimenez had the strength to join the inspired “Pou Pou”. The Frenchman's climb was brilliant and gave Poulidor the stage win. He achieved a time gain of 1'38” on Gimondi. The flying Frenchman now trailed by a slim 34 seconds.

Stage 18, the 27 km mountain ITT on Mont Revard, provided Poulidor the perfect opportunity to grasp control of the race. Tailing by only 34 seconds in the GC, he confidently attacked the course. Although Poulidor rode well, the exceptional ride of the day was reserved for Felice Gimondi. The Italian arrived at the top of Mont Revard 33 seconds ahead of the French favorite. Poulidor now trailed by 1'12” with only the final stage ITT from Versailles to Paris remaining.

Riding into Paris with the Maillot Jaune on his back gave Felice Gimondi inspired strength to put the finishing touch on his grand TdF victory. The 22-year-old Gimondi crossed the finish line at Parc des Princes Velodrome to win the stage by 1'08” over a fading Raymond Poulidor.

Felice Gimondi may have been the surprise winner of the 1965 Tour de France but he was clearly the superior rider from start to finish.

TdF 1964

TdF 1966

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