2023-07-04 14:52:27
On July 9, the Great Loop will set off from Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat in Haute-Vienne, the village of a legend of cycling and the Tour de France, Raymond Poulidor, who died in 2019. To salute this event, a major exhibition called “Poulidor the timeless” proposes to return to the rich career of the man who was nicknamed “the eternal second”.
France Televisions Writing Culture
Published on 04/07/2023 14:52
Reading time: 1 min.
A Raymond Poulidor jersey exhibited in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat in Haute-Vienne. (France Televisions / J. Arnal)
It is a day rich in emotion that the inhabitants of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, but also all cycling enthusiasts, are preparing to experience. On July 9, the start of the ninth stage of the Tour de France will be given from the village of the legendary Raymond Poulidor, a tribute of the Great Loop to one of the most illustrious figures in the history of cycling.
France 3 Limousin: J. Jonquard / J. Arnal / A. Dos Santos
Poupou the Eternal
A professional runner for nearly twenty years, nicknamed the eternal second, Raymond Poulidor enjoyed immense popularity, in France and abroad, which still persists today, three years after his death. “It is timeless in the sense that it has spanned generations, spanning two decades of career, but its popularity, the famous “Popularity”has continued well beyond his career and has been passed down from one generation to the next, from grandfathers to grandsons“, says Philippe Bouvet, a former cycling journalist at The Team and author of Our Poulidor years (Equator Editions).
And precisely, here everyone has their eyes riveted on Raymond’s grandson, Mathieu van der Poel, whose yellow jersey, which he kept for six days on the 2021 Tour, is on display here. “The expectation of all of Raymond’s supporters and loyal followers is to see grandson Mathieu come on the morning of the start of this stage. I think that if things go well (…) Mathieu will pass“, hopes Claude Louis, the president of the Association of Friends of Raymond Poulidor and André Dufraisse.
But what would give them the most pleasure is to see Poupou’s grandson cross the finish line as the winner of this ninth step between Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat and the summit of Puy de Dôme, as a tribute to his grandfather, and a wink in the mythical duel of July 12, 1964 between Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil.
“Poulidor the timeless” – exhibition until July 9, 2023 – Gymnasium of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Haute-Vienne – Free entry.
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