The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to announce that it has exceptionally granted permission to UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix to wear a special jersey in honour of Raymond Poulidor on today’s opening stage of the Tour de France.
At the Team Presentation in Brest, Brittany (France) on Thursday, Alpecin-Fenix riders sported a ‘Poupou’ Team jersey in honour of Raymond Poulidor, grandfather of team member Mathieu Van der Poel.
Although it had been agreed between the team, the UCI and organisers Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), that the jersey would be worn at the Team Presentation only, the UCI has now allowed the riders to wear the jersey on Saturday’s first stage between Brest and Landerneau.
The outfit is in recognition of that worn by Poulidor on the Mercier team in the 1960s and 1970s. Poulidor, who died in 2019, graced the overall podium of the Tour de France eight times but never got to wear the yellow jersey. Van der Poel makes his Tour de France debut this year, 45 years after his grandfather’s last Grand Boucle.
The UCI believes that the positive impact surrounding the special jersey in honour of one of the great names of cycling, merits making an exception to the UCI Regulations by allowing it to be worn on the first stage.
From stage two of the 2021 Tour de France, the Alpecin-Fenix riders will return to racing in their UCI-approved team jersey.