1979 Tour de France
Hinault and Zoetemelk, half an hour clear of everyone else.
The 1979 Tour de France was the 66th edition, held from 27 June to 22 July over 24 stages and 3,765 km, the only Tour to finish on Alpe d'Huez twice and the shortest course since 1904 despite many climbs. Bernard Hinault won the race and the points classification, and his team won both team classifications. He and runner-up Joop Zoetemelk finished nearly half an hour ahead of the other contenders, and it is the only time in modern history that the yellow jersey was still being challenged on the ride into Paris. Giovanni Battaglin won the mountains and Jean-René Bernaudeau the young rider classification; fifteen teams of ten started. The defending champion was the overwhelming favourite on a course heavy with time trials, with only Zoetemelk thought able to challenge him.
Quick Facts
- Date
- 27 June – 22 July 1979
- Stages
- 24 + Prologue
- Distance
- 3765
- First
- Bernard Hinault
- First team
- REN (1979)
- First color
- yellow
- Second
- Joop Zoetemelk
- Second team
- Mercier (1979)
Facts from the source article.
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