Super Prestige Pernod Explained

Super Prestige Pernod
Formerly:Challenge Desgrange-Colombo
Replaced:UCI Road World Cup
Sport:Road bicycle racing
Inaugural:
Countries:International
Most Champs: (7)
Folded:1987

The Super Prestige Pernod was a season-long competition in road bicycle racing between 1958 and 1987. For the first edition it was known as the Prestige Pernod, and for the last four years as the Super Prestige Pernod International.

History

Disagreements between the organisers of the similar Challenge Desgrange-Colombo led to its demise and a gap in season-long competitions. In 1958, the publicity division of Pernod offered a trophy for the best French rider of the year. The competition was known as the Prestige Pernod. It was a rival to Challenge Yellow, run by the chain company Sedis since 1931.

The following year, Pernod added the Super Prestige Pernod, for the best rider of the year, assessed on points attributed to the biggest races. At the same time it introduced Promotion Pernod, for the best French rider under 25. The Super Prestige Pernod became an unofficial world points championship.

A fourth class, Promotion Internationale, appeared in 1983 but that and the Promotion Pernod vanished the following year to create a single Super Prestige Pernod. A women's competition was added in 1985. Both were abandoned at the end of 1987 when France banned drinks advertising in sport.

The Super Prestige Pernod was won by some of the greatest names in professional cycle racing. They included Jacques Anquetil, who won four times, Eddy Merckx won a record seven times (1969–1975); Bernard Hinault equalled Anquetil's total with his fourth consecutive victory in 1982; while the final four years were won by Irish riders Sean Kelly (1984–1986) and Stephen Roche (1987). Anquetil was the only rider to regain the title having lost it, a feat he achieved twice.

Races

Race Location Type Years Editions within SPP
Single day race 1976–1987 10
Single day race 1959–1970, 1973–1987 27
Stage race 1965 1
Single day race 1987 1
Stage race 1986–1987 2
Stage race 1986–1987 2
Stage race 1959–1966, 1969–1974, 1976–1987 26
Stage race 1961–1962, 1967–1987 23
/ Single day race 1961–1962 2
Single day race 1979–1987 9
Stage race 1961–1987 27
Single day race 1962 1
Single day race 1960–1987 28
Single day race 1979 1
Individual time trial 1959–1987 29
Stage race 1961, 1966–1967, 1969–1974, 1976–1987 21
Team time trial 1963–1965 3
Single day race 1959–1960, 1962–1963 4
Single day race 1961–1970, 1972, 1974, 1976–1987 24
Single day race 1960, 1965–1969, 1971, 1973, 1975–1987 21
Single day race 1960–1987 28
Single day race 1979 1
Single-day race 1983–1987 5
/ Single day race 1959–1966, 1975–1978, 1981–1984, 1986–1987 18
/ Stage race 1964–1970 7
Stage race 1960, 1963–1987 26
Single day race 1959–1987 29
Single day race 1959–1987 29
Single day race 1968–1974, 1977–1987 18
Stage race 1972–1974, 1976, 1978 5
Stage race 1980–1987 8
Stage race 1959–1987 29
Stage race 1982–1987 6
Stage race 1959 1
Stage race 1972–1973 2
Stage race 1961–1962, 1974–1987 16
Stage race 1974–1975, 1977–1987 13
Single day race 1960–1987 28
Stage race 1987 1
Single day race 1961 1
Varied Single day race 1959–1987 29
Stage race 1975, 1977, 1985–1987 5
Stage race 1986–1987 2
Stage race 1961–1987 27
Single day race 1975, 1979–1982, 1984–1987 9

Winners

Source:[1]

YearWinner SecondThirdFourthFifth
Gérard Saint
Rik Van Looy
Nino Defilippis
Jacques Anquetil
Rik Van Looy
Benoni Beheyt
Felice Gimondi
Lucien Aimar
Franco Balmamion
Walter Godefroot
Walter Godefroot
Felice Gimondi
Cyrille Guimard
Yves HézardJoop Zoetemelk
Freddy Maertens
Joop Zoetemelk
Freddy Maertens
Lucien Van Impe
Francesco Moser
Jan Raas
Jan Raas
Giuseppe Saronni
Fons De WolfHennie Kuiper
Sean Kelly
Adri van der Poel
Laurent FignonFrancesco Moser
Moreno Argentin
Urs Zimmermann
Charly MottetEric Vanderaerden

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Challenge Pernod. French. Memoire du cyclisme. 20 May 2015.