Like every local in a Tour stage, Christophe Mengin had vowed to shine on his native ground in the 2005 edition. Involved in the break of the day, the Francaise des Jeux rider had been cunning enough to part company with his companions right on time to reach the finale in Nancy on his own. The pouring rain broke his dreams as he crashed into the barriers in the last kilometre as he was only a few yards away from a prestigious victory. Italy's Lorenzo Bernucci could hardly believe his luck, who took the day's laurels much to the public's disappointment. Knocked out on the tarmac, the unfortunate Mengin said when he discovered the damage: “I look more like a boxer than a cyclist!”
Nancy was the finish point of four crucial time trials in the history of the Tour. In 1949, Fausto Coppi outclassed everybody including Gino Bartali, whom he left 11 minutes adrift over 137 km, before repeating the feat in 1952. In 1954 and 1978, Louison Bobet and Bernard Hinault also strengthened their yellow jerseys in 72-km timed efforts.
vcy
July 11
th
2014
- 00:00
The broken dream of Christophe Mengin
