The Good Old Days

The Tour de France in the mid 1960’s were dominated by the French cyclist Jacques Anquetil. In 1964, Anquetil became the first rider to win five Tours, but not without difficulty. During that year’s tour, Anquetil spent the rest day at a lamb barbecue and was initially unable to keep up with his competitors during the next day’s stage. Anquetil’s team director, however, gave him a bottle of champagne to help with his indigestion, and he caught back up to the other racers.

With thanks from Ian McCausland. via The New Yorker.