The former cycling champion died "quietly" at the Croix-Rousse hospital in the 4th arrondissement of Lyon where he had been admitted for a few weeks.

Nicknamed by his peers "Napoleon" for his character, his insight and his tactical sense, the Lyonnais of Lorraine origin, born on July 6, 1933 in Thionville near Metz, was champion of France twice, in 1959 then in 1965. The second ahead of the two champions of the time, Raymond Poulidor (2nd) and Jacques Anquetil (3rd).

But it was in the Tour de France - ten participations between 1957 and 1967 - that Anglade, as elegant as he was enterprising, built his reputation.

He placed second in the 1959 edition, ahead of Anquetil.

That year, the two leaders of the French team (Jacques Anquetil and Roger Rivière) agreed to facilitate the victory of the Spaniard Federico Bahamontes at the expense of Anglade, the winner of the Critérium du Dauphiné who was racing for the Centre-Midi regional team and risked stealing the show.

(left): Spaniard Federico Bahamontes, Frenchmen Henry Anglade and Jacques Anquetil during the last stage of the Tour de France in 1959 AFP/Archives

Escaped with his two compatriots and the Luxembourger Charly Gaul in the stage leading to Aosta, Anglade did not find any frank collaboration with them.

Bahamontes, outdistanced a time of several minutes, thus saved his yellow jersey.

master glassmaker

The result was not going to be happier for Anglade, integrated into the national team the following year.

He quickly took the yellow jersey but lost it on an attack led by several "big names", including Rivière who was his teammate.

On arrival in Lorient, furious and visionary, the Frenchman predicted the success of the Italian Gastone Nencini due to the limitations of Rivière downhill.

The prognosis came true after the dramatic fall of the hour record holder in the Col du Perjuret.

French cyclist Henry Anglade during the 19th stage between Pontarlier and Besançon of the Tour de France, July 15, 1960 - AFP/Archives

A few days later, Anglade represented the platoon to General de Gaulle, who was staying at his property in La Boisserie, in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises (Haute-Marne).

The Tour had to salute him.

I was charged with setting up the operation with the leaders, who all agreed to a halt.

The president was on the side of the road.

We got off the bike.

He came, shaking five or six hands," said the Lyonnais later. "This handshake marked my career.

It's the greatest moment of my life."

A professional runner from 1956 to 1967, then an occasional sports director, this yoga practitioner found his way into an activity as a master glassmaker.

He made several stained glass windows for the Notre-Dame-des-Cyclistes chapel in Labastide d'Armagnac (Landes), a unique sanctuary in France.

© 2022 AFP