1962 Tour de France

1962 Tour de France
Name	1962 Tour de France
Date	24 June – 15 July 1962
Stages	22
Distance	4,274 km (2,656 mi)
Time	124h 57' 16"
Winner	FRA Jacques Anquetil
Second	BEL Jef Planckaert
Third	GBR Raymond Poulidor
Points	BEL Rik Van Looy
Mountains	ESP Federico Bahamontes
Team	FRA Saint-Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson
Previous	1961 Tour de France
Next	1963 Tour de France

1962 Tour de France was the 49th edition of the prestigious Grand Tour and was held from 24 June to 15 July 1962. The race covered 4,274 kilometres over 22 stages, starting in Nancy and concluding with its traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It was won for the third time by French cycling legend Jacques Anquetil, who successfully defended his title against a strong field that included Federico Bahamontes and a young Raymond Poulidor.

Overview

The 1962 edition was organized by the newspaper L'Équipe and its director Jacques Goddet, under the auspices of the Amaury Sport Organisation. It was notable for being the first Tour de France to feature a prologue time trial, a short individual test in Nancy that set the initial hierarchy. The race was characterized by the dominance of Jacques Anquetil and his Saint-Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson team, who controlled the major mountain stages in the Alps and the Pyrenees. Key innovations included live television coverage expanding across Europe, bringing the drama of stages like the ascent of the Col du Tourmalet into homes and solidifying the event's modern media profile.

Participants and teams

A total of 150 riders from 15 teams, each comprising 10 cyclists, started the race. The French contingent was led by the defending champion Jacques Anquetil for Saint-Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson and included rivals like Raymond Poulidor riding for Mercier–BP–Hutchinson. Strong foreign teams included the Belgian Flandria–Faema squad, featuring the reigning world champion Rik Van Looy, and the Spanish team led by the "Eagle of Toledo," Federico Bahamontes. Other notable participants were Charly Gaul of Gazzola–Fiorelli, Jef Planckaert of Flandria–Faema, and British rider Tom Simpson riding for Gitane–Leroux–Dunlop–R. Geminiani.

Route and stages

The 4,274 km route was divided into 22 stages, including the inaugural prologue. After the start in Nancy, the race traveled through northeastern France into Belgium, visiting Liège and Brussels. The first major mountains came in the Vosges before a long transfer south. The Alps featured legendary climbs like the Col du Galibier and the Col d'Izoard, while the Pyrenees included the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet. Two individual time trials were decisive: a 23 km test in Luchon and a 74 km marathon on the penultimate stage from Luz-Ardiden to Pau. The final stage traditionally finished on the Champs-Élysées.

Race summary

Jacques Anquetil won the prologue and took the first maillot jaune but ceded it briefly after a stage win by Rik Van Looy. Anquetil reclaimed the lead after the first long time trial and, supported strongly by his Saint-Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson teammates like Jean Stablinski, defended it through the mountains. His main rival, Federico Bahamontes, won the King of the Mountains classification but could not gain significant time in the high passes like the Col de la Forclaz. The final challenge came from Raymond Poulidor, who attacked on the stage to Saint-Étienne, but Anquetil limited his losses. The race was sealed on the long time trial to Pau, where Anquetil extended his lead over Jef Planckaert and Raymond Poulidor.

Final classifications

In the final general classification, Jacques Anquetil won with a total time of 124h 57' 16". He was followed by Jef Planckaert at 4' 59" and Raymond Poulidor at 10' 24". The points classification was won decisively by Rik Van Looy, who also claimed four stage victories. The mountains classification was dominated by Federico Bahamontes, who earned his sixth polka-dot jersey. The team classification was won by Anquetil's Saint-Raphaël–Helyett–Hutchinson squad, and the combativity award was given to Eddy Pauwels.

Aftermath and legacy

The victory cemented Jacques Anquetil's status as a master of the race against the clock and a formidable defensive rider in the mountains, setting the stage for his eventual record-tying fifth victory in the 1964 Tour de France. The emergence of Raymond Poulidor as a contender began his legendary rivalry with Anquetil, a defining narrative of French cycling for the next decade. The success of the prologue format led to its permanent inclusion in future editions organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation. The race is also remembered for the tragic death of rider Roger Rivière earlier in the year, which cast a shadow over the cycling season.

Category:Tour de France by year Category:1962 in French sport Category:1962 in cycling