Konted's Make My Day 2: Jacques Anquetil: The Greatest Cyclist Of All Time

Jacques Anquetil: The Greatest Cyclist Of All Time

Mounted on a Bianchi bike, I would pedal my way through the side streets of Santa Mesa Heights in the early 60s, holding firmly to the handlebar, with one hand ready to apply the brakes anytime. Santa Mesa Heights was then a serene place where big trees still grew on vacant lots as houses were still scarce in that part of Quezon City. As I would make my way past the gentle bends and sharp curves, the ups and downs, I would imagine myself to be the great Jacques Anquetil, the Frenchman who was regarded as a legend in his own time.

Jacques Anquetil was then my sports idol as he was the toast of the cycling world, capturing the much coveted and prestigious Tour de France title in 1957 and repeating the feat in 1961,1962, 1963 and 1964. He was the first cyclist to win the gruelling Tour de France five times. One notable sports writer described the man from Normandy as "a smooth rider, a beautiful pedaling machine".

While cycling aficionados, including France's President Charles de Gaule, were raving at the exceptional skills of the 5'10" tough rider, Jacques' private life was marred with controversies. While his physician was taking care of his well being as a cyclist, Jacques, nonetheless, flirted with the doctor's wife Janine, running away with her and, later, marrying her. The two, however, were childless.

Now, Jacques' love story does not end there. Janine had two children from a previous marriage, Allain and Annie. Annie joined and lived with them. To make a long story short, Jacques impregnated the 18 year old Annie. A story of the stepfather impregnating the step daughter. And Jacques' wife Janine knew about it and, in fact, gave her consent. The domestic situation was that Jacques would sleep with his step daughter in the early hours of the night and, would later, transfer to the matrimonial bed he shared with wife Janine. Strange but true.

If you think you have seen and heard everything about the charismatic Jacques Anquetil, here is another one. When stepdaughter Annie left the house, it was stepson Allain's turn to stay in the Anquetil's residence. Allain was with wife Dominique. Again, lover boy Jacques started an affair with Dominique, the wife of his stepson. Dominique gave birth to a child. Wife Janine would later divorce Jacques. Like a free wheeling front tire of a bicycle, it was "anything goes" at the Anquetil dwelling.

I don't reside anymore at Santa Mesa Heights. Though still a keen follower of Tour de France, I am no longer interested in the powerful bicycles that seasoned cyclists use in negotiating the uphill climb and in traversing the dangerous roads in the countryside. I am now content with riding a surplus Japanese bike, an old school bike with no gears but with a basket in front of the handle. But Jacques Anquetil remains as my idol, holding him in high esteem and regarding him as the greatest cyclist of all time. Yes, of all time.

- Konted

Jacques Anquetil in action at the Tour de France in 1957. He won his first title in 1957.

Jacques Anquetil dominated cycling in the early 60s.

Jacques Anquetil and arch rival Raymond Poulidor in a neck-and-neck race at the 1964 Tour de France. Anquetil won his fifth title in 1964.

Jacques Anquetil was the first man to win the Tour de France five times.

A group of cyclists in a race is called Peloton.

Belgium's Eddy Merckx was the second man to win the Tour de France five times.

Jacques Anquetil and Janine with Janine's children Allain and Annie from a previous marriage. Jacques would later impregnate Annie, resulting to a love child, Sophie. This happened while they were living at the Anquetil residence.

Jacques Anquetil's daughter Sophie with stepdaughter Annie

Stepson Allain and wife Dominique. Jacques would have an affair with Dominique. Their love child Christopher was born in 1985. Dominique still stays at Chateau Anquetil with husband Allain.