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.
Jacques Anquetil’s Victory at the 1965 Bordeaux-Paris
On May 31, 1965, Jacques Anquetil, already a five-time Tour de France winner and renowned for his time-trial prowess, achieved a legendary feat by winning Bordeaux-Paris after a grueling 15-hour contest. His rivals in this historic duel were Jean Stablinski and Tom Simpson, who finished second and third, respectively. Stablinski, a French rider of Polish descent, was known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, having won the UCI World Road Race Championship in 1962. Simpson, a talented British cyclist and the first Briton to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, was also the first Briton to win the UCI World Road Race Championship in 1965. He was celebrated for his determination and aggressive racing style.
What made Anquetil’s triumph truly astonishing was his preparation – or lack thereof. Just a day before Bordeaux-Paris, he had completed the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré (Today simply the Critérium du Dauphiné), a tough week-long stage race in the mountains of southern France. Not only did Anquetil win the overall title, but he also claimed victory in three stages. After the race, he drove through the night, slept only a few hours, and lined up for the start of the 557-kilometer epic. His stamina and mental fortitude were nothing short of legendary.
Anquetil’s victory drew widespread admiration but also controversy. When the French Minister of Sport questioned how such a feat was possible, Anquetil, never one to shy away from honesty, famously replied, “You don’t think you can win a Bordeaux-Paris the day after winning the Dauphiné by eating only sugar cubes.” His remark highlighted the underlying issue of doping in professional cycling, a practice that was becoming alarmingly widespread.
This period foreshadowed the dark side of competitive cycling. Just two years later, on July 13, 1967, Tom Simpson tragically died on the slopes of Mont Ventoux during the Tour de France. His death, attributed to a combination of heat, PEDs and extreme dehydration, became a wake-up call for the sport, exposing the dangerous substances cyclists were increasingly using to push their limits.
The 1965 Bordeaux-Paris remains an enduring symbol of Anquetil’s extraordinary capabilities and the era’s complex relationship with performance enhancement. The official results were:
- 1st: Jacques Anquetil (France) – Ford France-Gitane – 15h03’03”
- 2nd: Jean Stablinski (France) – Ford France-Gitane – at 57”
- 3rd: Tom Simpson (Great Britain) – Peugeot BP-Michelin – at 59”
This race, blending physical endurance, strategic mastery, and the looming specter of doping, encapsulates a defining moment in cycling history.
Bordeaux-Paris was lost run in 2014, won by the French rider Marc Lagrange.
Sources
- Bordeaux-Paris on Wikipedia
- “1965 – the 64th Bordeaux – Paris” on the Pro Cycling Stats website
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