1965 Tour de France
The 52nd Tour de France was held from June 22 through July 14, 1965 and resulted in 22 stages over 4177 km. For the first time was with a German city Cologne starting point of the Tour de France. For the first time a launch pad was used in the time trial. It was attended by 130 racers participated in the tour, which were classified by 96.
Race course
Jacques Anquetil, who won the Tour de France three times in a row, brought by his exposing his fiercest rivals in 1965 from the previous year, Raymond Poulidor in the role of favorite.
On his first Tour de France the 23 year-old Italian Felice Gimondi won the third stage and thus took over the yellow jersey. Poulidor at this time was already over three minutes in the overall standings back, no longer was able to catch up and finished the Tour in second place.
On the 14th stage of the Mont Ventoux attacked Poulidor and came within 34 seconds closer to Gimondi, who had won in the previous year, the Tour de l' Avenir. Together with Julio Jiménez was Poulidor succeeded Gimondi to drive away, which limited the gap to 1:38 minutes. The two time trial, on the 18th and 22 stage was won by the Italians. Again for Poulidor was only the second place, saw the surprise victory of the Italian but to " Gimondi won because he was better. "
The Spaniards Jiménez won the mountain classification a large margin, and could also have two mountain stages to decide for themselves, won the green jersey in January Janssen for the second time. Rik Van Looy won two stages and was after his victory on the first stage wearing the yellow jersey for two days.