Sylvain Chavanel’s name will sit on a remarkable place on the record sheet of the Tour de France right after he begins pedalling tomorrow in Noirmoutier-en-Île, as this will be the 18th time he takes the start at the Grande Boucle. Right now he is on top of the standings as well, tied at 17 with George Hincapie, Stuart O’Grady and Jens Voigt. But neither of these men is the one to have completed most times the Tour de France: that’s Joop Zoetemelk, winner of the 1980 edition, who finished all of the 16 times he participated. Chavanel has been present at every Tour de France since 2001, having abandoned once (2012) while he quit the race in 2007 along with the Cofidis team. Back on his debut at the Tour, being just 22 years old and dressed with the Bonjour outfit, he was asked as the youngest participant to read the ethical charter of the riders. “I remember the helmet I used that day was too tight,” he recalls. “Helmets were way less comfortable back then, and indeed it wasn’t mandatory to use them during the race.” His best ever placing on GC was 18th in 2009. He has won three stages: one in 2008 and two in 2010. He was designated most aggressive rider of the Tour de France those two years. One of his victories of 2010 entitled him to wear the yellow jersey for two days. Now 39, he is yet to announce when he’ll retire. “But I’m sure this will be my last Tour de France,” he asserts from Vendée, where he closes the circle as that Bonjour team he rode for on his maiden Tour is nowadays known as Direct Energie… and is based in Vendée.
