The Tour de France is full of stories. Every day we highlight a historical moment that can be linked to the upcoming stage. This time, stage 18: how Bjarne Riis helped his leader Jan Ullrich to the final victory in a “crazy” stage.
“It was a crazy and incredibly tough stage,” says Michael Boogerd after the fourteenth stage of the 1997 Tour. The ride leads the peloton over the Col du Glandon and the Col de la Madeleine to Courchevel.
Ullrich wears the yellow jersey and has a lead of more than six minutes over Richard Virenque. On the Glandon, Festina, on behalf of Virenque, settles at the head. The French team maintains a murderous pace with an impressive climbing train. The peloton thins out quickly and a small group remains. The then 25-year-old Boogerd can follow.
In the descent of the Glandon, Virenque goes down like a spear. The Frenchman gains a significant lead on Ullrich. Meanwhile, he makes one steering error after another and also has problems with his chain. ‘Der Jan’ falters on his throne.
But in the valley, Ullrich allows himself to be caught by the chasing group. This includes his most important helper: Riis. The Dane has been suffering from stomach problems throughout the Tour. According to French television, he may be suffering from bronchitis. Nonsense, says Telekom team leader Rudy Pevenage.
That becomes clear later in the ride. Riis brings Ullrich back to Virenque alone after the top of the Madeleine. The Telekom leader wants to thank his second by giving him the stage victory, but Virenque puts a stop to that. The Frenchman wins on Courchevel, with Ullrich in his wake. ‘Der Kaiser’ remains on his throne and eventually wins the Tour.
