Raymond Poulidor: A working class hero
Sun, December 16, 2007 
Three won the Tour de France multiple times; however, Raymond Poulidor never won, or for that matter never wore the race leader's Yellow Jersey during any of the Tours.
He did place second in 1964, 1965, and 1974; and placed third in 1962, 1966, 1969, 1972, and 1976. He entered the Tour de France 14 times and finished 12 times; he was consistently in the top ten.
He had a longer career than is usual for a professional cyclist. His first major victory was in the classic Milan-San Remo in 1961. His third place in the Tour in 1976, came at age 40.
His inability to win the Tour de France won him the nick-name in the press as the "Eternal Second." However in spite of this he was immensely popular with the French public, and was more often than not known affectionately as "Pou Pou."
During the first part of his career, Poulidor had to race against Jacques Anquetil, and although the former could get the better of Anquetil on the bigger climbs, he lacked Anquetil's tactical ability, especially in the discipline of the time-trial. Poulidor’s riding style was aggressive and attacking, whereas Anquetil would control the race in the climbing stages, then win in the time trial. 
There was always intense rivalry between these two riders. (Pictured together, left.) Anquetil was the top French rider of his day, and it always irked him that Poulidor was in many ways more popular with the French public, and was often given more favorable coverage in the French press.
For example in 1965, when Poulidor was perceived to have received more credit for dropping Anquetil the previous year on the Puy-de-Dôme than Anquetil had received for winning the whole Tour.
Long after their retirement, Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor would finally become friends. Anquetil died of stomach cancer in 1987, and the day before he died, he told Poulidor, “Once again my friend you will be second to me.”
In the latter half of his career after Anquetil had retired, Poulidor could still not win the Tour de France. He was then up against Eddy Merckx, considered by most to be the greatest cyclist ever. He does hold one record, in that he finished in the top three in the Tour de France no fewer than eight times. No one has done that before or since. 
Today Raymond Poulidor is still immensely popular with the French people; see above as he signed autographs in October 2006. (Picture by Thierry Malaval.)
When asked in a national survey in 1991, which man they would like to invite for a Christmas dinner, a French audience overwhelmingly answered Raymond Poulidor, beating out famous movie stars.
What could be the reason for such popularity? He came from peasant stock, from the farming midlands of France. He speaks with a regional accent; in other words, he is a "Working Class Hero."
There is something about a person who attains success in life, but they retain their "down-to-earth" qualities that the ordinary man on the street can relate to. Think of the continuing popularity of rock stars like Bruce Springsteen or Neil Young; they have that same working class persona.
Or maybe Raymond Poulidor’s popularity was in the fact that he never did win the big one, but at the same time never gave up trying. The world will always admire such spirit, that of the underdog.
Reader Comments (13)
As much as I love the sport of cycling, it is very personal to me. I wouldn't be one of those die hard fans to create idols out of living people. Its not me. Its interesting to talk about on the other hand, because our personal stories don't quite fill the void we have for cycling culture, history and traditions.
Its time you took a hard look at my blog and maybe add it to your links :)
And where are the great Maltese cyclists?????
In recent years the Ulrich story has always amazed me for someone who came so close so many times. Finishing in yellow only once, five times in second and once in third, he always gave Armstrong a serious challenge.
Jack
just click on my name. i only have one and it shows up in my prof.
eitherwayz, its
http://cozybeehive.blogspot.com
Great Po-Po !!!
I believe you failed to mention that he won the single day world championship race at 40 years old before he retired! I am an american and I also would love to treat pou pou to a dinner and some fine red wine. A truly great rider!!! Those of us who were watching fast eddie back in the day were also enjoying his best competitors!
I don't see a record of Raymond Poulidor ever winning the World Road Championship, but not for the want of trying. He was third in 1961, 1964 and 1966. He was second to Eddy Merckx in 1974 when he was 38 years old, and 2nd in the TDF that same year. He was 3rd in the TDF in 1976 at aged 40. A fantastic record and career non the less. I use this list of WC medalists as my reference.
Ever since my daughter got her 'Service Des Courses' Mercier (one of Pou-Pou's frequent mounts), I started an interest in M. Poulidor's career. His apparently infectious good humour, courage and love of sport has made him one of my heroes. Thanks for writing about him with so much sensitivity to his unique contribution.