On May 15th 1963, when Jacques Anquetil crossed the finish line of the last stage of Vuelta a España, he became the first cyclist to win all three grand tours at least once. This remarkable result established him as a legend in the history of road cycling. But the year 1963 held even more glory for Anquetil, as he went on to secure his fourth victory in the Tour de France just weeks later, also
becoming the first rider ever to achieve the Vuelta-Tour double in the same year.
Anquetil had set his sights on conquering the Spanish grand tour already in 1962, but his campaign ended in disappointment. Despite being one of the favorites, Anquetil was forced to withdraw from the race just a few stages before the finish. Rumors swirled around his sudden exit, with many speculating that his decision to quit stemmed from frustration, particularly after a tough battle against his own teammate, Rudy Altig, in the 15th stage individual time trial.
From the outset of the 1963 Vuelta a España, Anquetil made his intentions clear. In stage 1/b, an 52 km long individual time trial, he delivered a powerful performance that saw him don the leader's jersey, a position he would not relinquish for the remainder of the race. The early lead was crucial, as it allowed Anquetil and his team to control the race's dynamics.
Anquetil's dominance throughout the Vuelta was a testament to his exceptional time trial abilities, his strategic mind, and his physical resilience. By the time the race reached its conclusion, Anquetil had successfully defended his lead, securing his place in history as the first cyclist to win all three grand tours.
Having secured victory in the Vuelta a España, Anquetil turned his attention to the Tour de France, a race he had already won three times before. However, despite his previous successes, the 1963 Tour was anything but straightforward. The competition was fierce, with several riders posing a serious threat to his dominance.
Anquetil's performance in the mountains was nothing short of extraordinary. In the Pyrenean stage between Pau and Bagnères-de-Bigorre,
he delivered a stunning display of climbing prowess, defying expectations and silencing critics who doubted his ability to perform in the high mountains.
This victory was crucial, as it demonstrated that Anquetil was not just a time trial specialist but a well-rounded rider capable of excelling in all aspects of this sport.
Despite this impressive stage win, the yellow jersey remained elusive in the days that followed. The general classification saw several changes, with Eddy Pauwels, Seamus Elliott, and Gilbert Desmet each taking turns in the lead. It wasn't until the 16th stage, from Grenoble to Val d'Isère, that a new contender, Federico Bahamontes, took over the yellow jersey.
With the race now deep into the Alps, the 17th stage, from Val d'Isère to Chamonix, would prove to be the turning point in the 1963 Tour de France. It was during this stage that team manager Raphael Geminiani devised a daring and controversial strategy that would ultimately secure victory.
The plan centered around Col de la Forclaz, a formidable ascent that could make or break a rider's chances in the general classification. Knowing that Anquetil's bike was not ideally suited for the steep gradients, Geminiani suggested a mid-stage bike change. However, under the rules of the time, changing bikes for tactical reasons was not allowed. To circumvent this, Geminiani and Anquetil orchestrated ruse. They intentionally damaged Anquetil's bike by snipping a gear cable, making it appear as though a mechanical failure had occurred.
This subterfuge allowed Anquetil to switch to a more suitable bike without incurring a penalty. The change paid off excellently. attacked the climb with renewed vigor, leaving his rivals behind and winning the stage in a dramatic fashion. More importantly, he took the yellow jersey, which he managed to held onto all the way to Paris.
