CQ22-Digital

But even in 1963 the shine was coming off Bordeaux-Paris. That
year there was no Van Looy, Altig, Stablinski or Anquetil on the
start line and the inevitable whispers about the legitimacy of
Simpson’s victory began to circulate, even though any rider can
only win against the riders in front of him.
By 1977 René Fallet, who followed that year’s ‘masterpiece of
jeopardy’ from start to finish, was writing in the Livre d’Or du
Cyclisme: “Now it is threatened with extinction, like the whale.
Bordeaux-Paris has become too big for the so-called ‘big’ riders.
In contrast to the great ones of yesterday, the Simpsons, Bobets,
Küblers, Anquetils, etc., those of today flee this Monument like
the plague and perhaps condemn it to death, which seriously
dishonours them. One day – and why not? – they will find Paris-
Roubaix or the Tour too tiring and will only ride criteriums.
In front of empty seats, I hope. And it will be the end of this
legendary sport.”
But Bordeaux-Paris wasn’t ready to go quietly. There were still
riders who wanted to pit themselves against this prehistoric
challenge. Herman van Springel lost the 1968 Tour by just 38
seconds, done over by a rampant Jan Janssen in a final 55 km time
trial into Paris that saw the yellow jersey ripped rudely off the
Belgian’s shoulders. 1969 saw the debut of Merckxissimo and the
all-devouring Cannibal. What was a Belgian to do? Head for the
South West and make his name in the last great endurance test. A
race where he knew Merckx was sure not to follow.
Van Springel won in 1970, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80 and 81. In 1977 the
funny little Dernys – named after the Roger Derny et Fils factory
where they were manufactured and powered with pedals and
two stroke engines – were replaced by a sleek and shining fleet of
Kawasakis. The new Monsieur Bordeaux-Paris beat Tour winner
Lucien Aimar in 1970 and might have increased his tally of wins to
9 if the 1971 and 1972 races hadn’t been cancelled. In 1974 he beat
the next-placed rider Régis Delépine by over 15 minutes but was
forced to share first place with him. Just like Arthur Linton back in
1896 he was judged to have ridden the wrong course though this
time van Springel rode several kilometres more than he needed to
and it was Delépine who argued that the prize be shared.
He was first in a field of 10 riders in 1975 and then second to
Walter Godefroot the crack sprinter and Classics specialist who’d
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