1975 Tour de France
The 62nd Tour de France took place from 26 June to 20 July 1975 and resulted in 22 stages over 3999 km. The five-time Tour winner Eddy Merckx went as a favorite at the start, but could not win the Tour. It was attended by 140 racers participated in the tour, of which 86 were classified.
Race course
The prologue was won by Italian Francesco Moser and was able to defend his lead in the overall standings to fifth stage. The first individual time trial on the sixth stage Merckx won and thus took over the yellow jersey. The Belgian was also the second time trial and successfully defended his lead, even though he had lost a few seconds on Bernard Thévenet, Joop Zoetemelk, Lucien Van Impe and Felice Gimondi in the Pyrenees.
After the stage of the Puy de Dôme, won by the Belgian Van Impe, Merckx had about a minute lead over the lying in the overall standings behind him Bernard Thévenet. At this stage, Merckx was beaten in the kidneys on the final climb of a spectator. On the following stage to Pra -Loup Merckx attacked as the first and was able to pull the last pass of the day, the Col d' Allos. Before the final climb to Pra -Loup but he was caught again. As Gimondi attack, Merckx could not follow, however Thévenet could keep up with the Italians and later even apart from him. Merckx, who had suffered a weakness burglary, lost in the last six kilometers over three minutes on the day's winner Thévenet, who thus took over the yellow jersey of Merckx. After Thevenets attack on the Col d' Izoard and the associated stage victory the next day it could not be taken more tour victory, Merckx was at the end of second overall before Van Impe.
In 1975, the ratings of the tour have been changed: The combined score was abolished, but there was for the best of the mountains classification ( Meillieur Grimpeur ) from 1975 a separate rating jersey that GepunkteteTrikot. Best climber was the third time Lucien Van Impe, who had gone with a frame made of carbon and fiberglass to the start. Francesco Moser was seventh overall with his only tour - participation and won the newly introduced white jersey for the best young rider. The three-time stage winner Rik Van Linden won the scoring for themselves.
Since 1975, the last stage of the Tour always ended up on the Avenue des Champs- Élysées. Walter Godefroot won the premiere on the finishing straight in the mass sprint.