Super Prestige Pernod


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 ; 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 and Stephen Roche. Anquetil was the only rider to regain the title having lost it, a feat he achieved twice.

Races

Winners

Source:
YearWinnerSecondThirdFourthFifth
1959Henry Anglade Roger RivièreNoël ForéRik Van LooyGérard Saint
1960Jean Graczyk Pino CeramiGastone NenciniRaymond MastrottoRik Van Looy
1961Jacques Anquetil Raymond PoulidorRik Van LooyGilbert Desmet INino Defilippis
1962Jo de Roo Jef PlanckaertEmile DaemsRik Van LooyJacques Anquetil
1963Jacques Anquetil Tom SimpsonRaymond PoulidorJo de RooRik Van Looy
1964Raymond Poulidor Jan JanssenJacques AnquetilRik Van LooyBenoni Beheyt
1965Jacques Anquetil Tom SimpsonWard SelsRaymond PoulidorFelice Gimondi
1966Jacques Anquetil Felice GimondiRaymond PoulidorJan JanssenLucien Aimar
1967Jan Janssen Eddy MerckxFelice GimondiRoger PingeonFranco Balmamion
1968Herman Van Springel Felice GimondiJan JanssenEddy MerckxWalter Godefroot
1969Eddy Merckx Felice GimondiHerman Van SpringelRaymond PoulidorWalter Godefroot
1970Eddy Merckx Herman Van SpringelLuis OcañaEric LemanFelice Gimondi
1971Eddy Merckx Luis OcañaGösta PetterssonJoop ZoetemelkCyrille Guimard
1972Eddy Merckx Raymond PoulidorCyrille GuimardYves HézardJoop Zoetemelk
1973Eddy Merckx Luis OcañaFelice GimondiJoop ZoetemelkFreddy Maertens
1974Eddy Merckx Roger De VlaeminckFrans VerbeeckRaymond PoulidorJoop Zoetemelk
1975Eddy Merckx Roger De VlaeminckFrancesco MoserBernard ThévenetFreddy Maertens
1976Freddy Maertens Francesco MoserJoop ZoetemelkEddy MerckxLucien Van Impe
1977Freddy Maertens Roger De VlaeminckBernard HinaultJoop ZoetemelkFrancesco Moser
1978Francesco Moser Bernard HinaultJoop ZoetemelkGerrie KnetemannJan Raas
1979Bernard Hinault Giuseppe SaronniJoop ZoetemelkFrancesco MoserJan Raas
1980Bernard Hinault Fons De WolfFrancesco MoserHennie KuiperGiuseppe Saronni
1981Bernard Hinault Roger De VlaeminckJan RaasFons De WolfHennie Kuiper
1982Bernard Hinault Giuseppe SaronniSilvano ContiniTommy PrimSean Kelly
1983Greg LeMond Sean KellyJan RaasGiuseppe SaronniAdrie van der Poel
1984Sean Kelly Bernard HinaultPhil AndersonLaurent FignonFrancesco Moser
1985Sean Kelly Phil AndersonGreg LeMondBernard HinaultMoreno Argentin
1986Sean Kelly Greg LeMondClaude CriquielionAdrie van der PoelUrs Zimmermann
1987Stephen Roche Sean KellyClaude CriquielionCharly MottetEric Vanderaerden

Citations