Cyrille Guimard
Cyrille Guimard ( born January 20, 1947 in Bouguenais, France ) is a former French cyclist. His professional career lasted from 1968 until 1976. Having knee problems that had accompanied him his whole career, ended the career in 1976, he was subsequently successful sports director of various teams.
As a racer Guimard was an all-rounder. So he won the French Championship in three different disciplines: On the Road (Ham, 1967) and by Rail (1979) and in Cyclocross (1976). At the Tour de France, he won seven stages. On the way to his greatest success at the Tour in '72, he was stopped as the carrier of the green jersey two stages before the end of the tendon sheath in the knee problems and had to retire.
A second, much more successful career started Guimard as athletic director. He led the team Gitane - Campagnolo, Renault - Elf, Système U- Gitane, Super U, Castorama. In addition, he brought the team Cofidis on the way. He is seen as a good tactician and motivator, who introduced innovative training methods. Guimard was different drivers lead to seven overall victories at the Tour de France: Lucien Van Impe (1976 ), Bernard Hinault (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982) and Laurent Fignon (1983, 1984).
Best Merits
- Tour de France: 1970: Stage 1; 1972, 1, 4, 14 (Part 2 ) & 15th stage; 1973: Stage 3; 1974: Stage 8 (Part 2)
- Vuelta a España: 1971, 3rd & 15th stage
- Paris - Nice: 1974: Stage 3
- Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré: 1972: Stage 4 (Part 2 ), 1973: Stage 2 (Part 2)
- Tour de Luxembourg: 1972: & Stage 3
- Paris - Bourges: 1972