Anquetil, alone, by Paul Fournel
Jacques Anquetil was a French road racing cyclist. To understand his legend, his nickname is enough: "Mister stopwatch", for he would ride alone, against the clock and thanks to his exceptional abilities, he won five times the Tour de France.
At 17, he took his first riding licence: he quickly became a professional and rode the Grand Prix des Nations nine times, unbeaten.
With his first wage, he bought himself a car, which he crashed twice in the first twelve months.
In 1963, he won the Tour de France, but faked a mechanical accident at the top of a moutain, in order to have a more suitable bike for the descent.
In 1967, he broke the world hour record, but refused to take the dop test.
He always beat Raymond Poulidor, but Poulidor remained more popular.
He would prepare his races by partying, but he was always the winner.
But it was only the beginning of the legend, the legend of a womaniser, whose career was hurdled by his controversial use of drugs. Those who were keen on Anquetil appreciated his style and elegance, while Poulidor's fans identified with his bad luck.
Despite his flaws, no one was indifferent to Jacques Anquetil, not even his step-daughter. He appalled and fascinated the 1960s French society, as well as the British one for he was elected the BBC's international personality of the year in 1964.
Eventually, he died because of his stomach, after a life of glory thanks to his legs.
But all of this was nothing, but a glimpse of Jacques Anquetil's tremendous life which is brilliantly told by Paul Fournel in his latest novel, Anquetil, alone. This French writer and cultural ambassador is well-known for His Besoin de Vélo (translated into English as Need for the Bike and Vélo), a classic cycling text.
If you don't know Fournel, this is the perfect opportunity to discover this gripping writer; if you don't know Anquetil, it's time to learn about a destiny that now belongs to legends.
Translated by Nick Caistor (Profile Books).