Bloodied hero
Raymond Poulidor rode 14 Tours and finished 12, second place three times and third place five times. An amazing record in itself and he never once wore the yellow jersey.
In 1973 he almost lost his life careening down the Col de Portet d'Aspet falling into a ravine. Jacques Goddet, the race director, helped pull him out. Pou Pou abandoned.
Comments
Joop completed every Tour he started, won once, was 6 times second and 3 times fourth.
And indeed, he did not finish 8 times in the top three but seven.
Joop is the real eternal second.
And I enjoyed Poulidor a lot. :)