ARCHIVES - Young rider still little known, Raymond Poulidor signed this March 18, 1961 the first big victory of his career on the Primavera. Our reporter had made you live live on Europe 1 the victory of the one who was not yet called "Poupou" and who died on Wednesday, November 13 at 83 years.

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If the legend of Raymond Poulidor was built in the defeat, "the eternal second" of the Tour de France died Wednesday, November 13 at 83, also showed his ability to win. In his immense career, his victory at Milan San Remo in March 1961 will remain engraved forever. On March 18, 1961, Europe 1 made you experience the arrival of the Frenchman in the final of this race which was tight until the end and which consecrated the young runner of 24 years.

"Is Poulidor going to win the race?" We all wish it, "Yes, tremendous achievement from Raymond Poulidor!" Fernand Choisel, our reporter at the moment of his arrival on Via Roma, commented fiercely. After a thrilling final and an arrival on the mythical Primavera, Raymond Poulidor won his first big classic race.

Heard on europe1:

Frankly, I did not expect to win Milan-San Remo

And, you will not believe it, Raymond Poulidor did not hope so much! "Frankly, I was not going to win Milan-San Remo, I almost gave up this morning, and when I died, Mr. Magne found me in a very bad position. for a minute that I was waiting at the side of the road.If Mr. Magne had not been there, I would have abandoned, "he confided full sincerity to our reporter at the end of the race.

It must be said that this is not the only event experienced by the runner from Mercier. Flying over the finish in San Remo after being able to sow competition in the ascent of the Poggio, Raymond Poulidor was baffled by a gendarme who told him the wrong way. An error of referral ultimately of no consequence for the one who won there the first of his two Classics, before the Flèche wallonne in 1963.