On June 27, 2021, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Fenix secured his first-ever yellow jersey at the Tour de France by winning Stage 2 atop the Mûr-de-Bretagne. This victory not only marked a personal achievement but also fulfilled a long-held dream of his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, who had never worn the yellow jersey despite his remarkable career.
A tribute to Raymond Poulidor
As he crossed the finish line, van der Poel pointed skyward, dedicating his win to Poulidor, affectionately known as "Poupou." Poulidor had participated in the Tour de France 14 times between 1962 and 1976, finishing second three times and third five times, yet never donned the leader's jersey.
A strategic victory
Van der Poel's victory was a result of strategic brilliance. He secured crucial time bonuses on the first ascent of the Mûr-de-Bretagne and launched a decisive attack on the second climb, distancing himself from rivals Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. This calculated approach enabled him to take the overall lead from Julian Alaphilippe.
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