The Bordeaux-Paris was a unique and grueling competition, distinguished by the use of a dernys (motorized pacing bicycles) in the second half of the race. First held in 1891 and last run in 1988, it holds a revered place in cycling history as one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the international calendar. It is remembered particularly for two remarkable circumstances: it is one of only two major “mythical” races that Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, never won (the other being Paris-Tours). Additionally, the race is celebrated for the extraordinary victory of Jacques Anquetil in 1965.
