Lanterne Rouge
The Lanterne Rouge (French for Red Lantern ) is an unofficial award for the last -placed rider in the overall standings of the Tour de France. The term is derived from the red tail lamps on the last wagon of a railway.
At the Tour de France Lanterne Rouge is the most sought after, because the last place driver who reaches the destination in Paris, receives special attention. The support of the Lanterne Rouge therefore device- in contrast to the drivers on the rankings in the midfield never forgotten. There were therefore already downright battles for the Lanterne Rouge instead.
The battle for the Lanterne Rouge requires a lot of tactical skill, because the driver who wants to gain it and moves on a narrow ridge. He must see to it that he comes to the last possible Gruppetto the finish, but at the same time be careful that it does not exceed the waiting period, as the tour is ended for him. Especially in the time trial, this represents a challenge as the last placed rider of the Tour has to start first, and therefore does not recognize any intermediate times of the other riders.
During the final stage to Paris is worn by the last placed in the overall standings as a gag, a small red light on the bike.
Record " winner" of the Lanterne Rouge is the Belgian Wim Vansevenant who achieved this feat three times ( 2006, 2007 and 2008). It is followed with two red lanterns of the Belgian Daniel Masson (1922/1923), the Austrian Gerhard Schönbacher (1979/1980), the Dutchman Mathieu Hermans (1987/1989) and the Frenchman Jimmy Casper (2001 /2004).
Two times were German cyclist the Red Lantern: Rudolf Risch (1932) and Willy coach Bach ( 1935). In addition, four Swiss finished the tour as Last: Pietro Tarchini (1947 ), Fritz Zbinden (1950 ), Walter Favre (1958) and Gilbert Glaus (1984).