The Tour visits Montargis
The Tour has finished here only once, in 1969. It was a manly
stage, 329km in length. Starting in Clermont-Ferrand it was
won by Herman Van Springel.
July 6th in the Tour
- This date celebrates the former Soviet Union. In 1996 Evgueni
Berzin becomes the first Russian to wear yellow. In 1999 Jann
Kirsipuu achieves this for Estonia. In 1993 Dzamolidine
Abduzhaparov takes Uzbekistan's first stage win.
- Also on this date last year, Thor Hushovd becomes the first
Norwegian to wear yellow.
- Did Merckx win on this day? How about 1969 (Divonne-les-Bains
time trial), 1970 (Belfort to Divonne-les-Bains), 1972
(Bordeaux time trial), and 1974 (Besancon to Gaillard)!
- T-Mobile DS Walter Godefroot remembers this date. He won in
Saint Etienne in 1971 and also shared victory on the double
stage in Bordeaux in 1972 with Merckx.
- Speaking of manly stages, how about a 75km time trial?
Hinault took one of those in 1985. He decisively defeated his
younger teammate Lemond who finished fourth.
- July 6th is a good day for Americans. Davis Phinney (1986,
Leivin) shares the date with Greg Lemond (1989, Dinard-Rennes
time trial).
- Speaking of Americans, yep, Lance Armstrong won the 2002
prologue in Luxembourg on this date.
Bob Schwartz
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