In the Land of Raymond Poulidor

Born on 15 April 1936 in Creuse, his parents, who were sharecroppers, moved to Champnétery. He spent his teenage years in Saint-Léonard de Noblat and settled there after his cycling career. As a child, Raymond Poulidor accompanied his older brothers to the amateur cycling races they competed in. At the age of 16, he began training, but without telling his mother, who thought the sport was dangerous… What happened next? A prestigious record: 189 victories and a legendary rivalry with another renowned rider, Jacques Anquetil, who would later become his friend. Although Raymond Poulidor had numerous victories to his name, the premier event, the Tour de France, always eluded him. He finished second three times, in 1964, 1965 and 1974. Raymond Poulidor enjoyed unwavering popularity – or rather ‘Poulidor-ity’ –with the public, which endured long after his career had ended.