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Jacques Anquetil – The Man, the Mystery, the Legend

This remarkable film penetrates the myth surrounding the five-time winner of the Tour de France, who "did for cycling what Mozart did for music".

Anquetil was a precocious talent, inventing a new style - rounded, aerodynamic and apparently easy - that was ahead of its time. Anquetil elevated time-trialling to a new level and set the standard for his generation.

In addition to his many victories - Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Classics - it was his courage and his persistence that we discover in this superbly made film. It portrays a wonderful athlete but a very mysterious man.

Haunted by the spectre of loneliness and death, superstitious and shy, the five-time Tour de France winner was also a hell-raiser and bon viveur. Unique in cycling he could party, drink champagne, wine and spirits and smoke all night and then win a race the following day.

Carefully researched and full of valuable first-hand accounts, notably from his first wife Janine, this film provides a fascinating and very moving insight into the myth surrounding one of cycling's greatest champions.

Both films narrated by Phill Liggett

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Jacques is my champion always..