08/08/2024
Already as a cyclist, only a handful in history can compare to Jacques Anquetil in terms of palmarès, exploits, and not least, elegance on the bike. But when it comes to star quality and living the life of a film star simultaneously, no one comes close to the heel of his handmade Italian loafers, which he is sporting here, in an ultimate display of flair, as an accessory to an equally top-notch wool tracksuit, which, if my trained eye does not deceive me, is from the brand Vittore Gianni on Via Procaccini in Milan. A gold watch with an alligator strap completes the picture of a man who never compromises on style, even when he is in his work attire, heading for the toughest task of his life.
This stylistic superiority is all the more remarkable considering that this picture was taken as he stepped off the plane in Bordeaux about three hours after securing the overall victory in the Dauphiné Libéré, and with only six hours to go before he would mount his bike at 2 a.m. to start the world's longest road race, Bordeaux-Paris, which is 611 kilometers long. His sports director Geminiani (seen in the background of the picture) had provoked Anquetil by saying that he certainly couldn't win both races within 24 hours. Anquetil was not one to let insults slide, so he rode the fresh and specially trained competitors into the ground in the final. Tom Simpson and Stablinski were the last to succumb before Maître Jacques could ride alone into the Parc des Princes velodrome in Paris.
This unprecedented achievement turned public opinion, which, despite Anquetil's undeniable status as the world's best cyclist, had not been on his side—probably due to his seemingly arrogant and feudal style.
