Jacques Anquetil

About

Jacques Anquetil was a renowned French road racing cyclist, celebrated for his exceptional time-trialing skills. Born on January 8, 1934, in Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, he became the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, achieving this feat in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964. Anquetil's ability to excel in individual time trials earned him the nickname "Monsieur Chrono." He also won the Giro d'Italia twice, in 1960 and 1964, and the Vuelta a España in 1963, making him the first cyclist to win all three grand tours. Anquetil's career was marked by numerous prestigious victories, including the Grand Prix des Nations, which he won a record nine times. He set the World Hour Record in 1956 by riding 46.159 kilometers in one hour. Anquetil's rivalry with Raymond Poulidor was a highlight of the cycling scene in the 1960s. Despite his impressive achievements, Anquetil was not as popular with the public as Poulidor, but he was highly respected within the cycling community. Anquetil retired in 1969 and passed away on November 18, 1987, in Rouen, France.