The 1996 Tour de France had to be forever etched in the memory of every cycling enthusiast. After all, Miguel Indurain would win his 6th Tour in a row, knocking Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault off the throne, who each won the Tour 5 times.
Indurain had this year impressively won the Critérium Du Dauphiné Libéré, the race that usually gives a picture of the rider in form who has the best chance of winning the Tour de France which will take place a few weeks later. There was therefore only 1 favorite with the cycling enthusiast and the journalists.
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The first week there was no problem, but in the 8th stage, a time trial over 30km Indurain did not crush the opposition as we were used to from him. He lost 1 minute to the Russian Berzin. Also in the mountain stage to Sestriere Indurain had to let go of the best riders, but he was able to limit the damage to 30 seconds.
In the mountain stage with arrival at the Hautacam it was clear that a 6th Tour victory for Indurain would be difficult. At the start of the climb, he still gave the impression that he was the man to beat, but after the umpteenth attack by yellow jersey wearer Bjarne Riis, Indurain cracked and eventually lost 2'30” to the later Tour winner Bjarne Riis. Meanwhile, we know how Riis won this Tour de France.
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However, the damage was yet to be done. The 17th stage was tailor-made for Indurain by the organization. The arrival was in fact in Pamplona, the region of Indurain. Thousands of Spanish fans were therefore waiting for him and were convinced that Big Mig would rise again from the dead and rectify the situation.
Unfortunately it became one big agony for Indurain. He soon had to let the thinned out peloton drive and came in with no less than 8'30” behind the winner Laurent Dufaux. He tumbled to 11th place in the overall standings.
It got really sad during the award ceremony. Bjarne Riis, who was celebrated as a yellow jersey wearer, called Indurain on stage and handed him his flowers. He wanted to honor Indurain as a great rider in his own Pamplona but it was clear from Indurain's face that he was ashamed in front of all the fans who showed up for his performance.
This well-intentioned gesture by Riis also marked the end of Indurain's career. He still took part in the Vuelta but gave up, a year later he announced his retirement. It was the end of a great rider.
