Invited by the city of Montpellier and ASO for an exhibition dedicated to the history of cycling, Richard Virenque has lost none of his passion. Pooh jersey on the shoulders seven times, the legendary climber of the Tour de France took the time to come back to his memories, his admiration for the Ventoux, and his sharpened gaze on the 2025 race. Between personal anecdotes, tactical analysis and wink to Lenny Martinezhe deciphers the forces involved and delivers his predictions for the future.
“Lenny Martinez is very well placed to aim for this polka dot jersey”
What do you feel when you see your jerseys exhibited in this museum?
It's always a nice wink. There, it was one of my polka dot jerseys of the years 2003 or 2004, focused on a time trial. When we start to appear in a museum, it is that we have marked a small piece of history. It is also a pleasure to find yourself alongside other big names like Tom Boonen, Stéphane Goubert or Laurent Jalabert. But above all we must salute the work of Louis-Nicolas, an enthusiast who gathered an extraordinary collection. His children are trying today to transform this private museum into a public museum, and frankly, that deserves it: there is nothing equivalent to the world.
Who do you see by winner of the polka dot jersey this year?
With Ventoux, Loze, La Plagne … We enter the hard. The points will count double on the off-category. Lenny Martinez is very well placed to target this jersey in his first round, but it will not be simple: the general's favorites will also fight on these stages. If I had to make a bet, I would say that Jonas Vingegaard could console himself with this polka dot jersey. He has the cash register to get big points in the high mountains.
“Pogacar … what he does this year is huge”
Has Tadej Pogacar already won the 2025 Tour de France?
No not yet. He took a nice option, but nothing is done. The Ventoux has already made it suffer, and there are still very difficult passes. He certainly has a psychological ascendant, but Vingegaard is revengeful. He was not ridiculed, but he has clearly been dominated so far. And a runner injured in his pride can be dangerous. Opposite, Pogacar seems untouchable, but the turn can always rock, especially on fall or incident. He is in a spiral of pleasure with his team, but there is still a long way.
Some speak of Pogacar as the new “cannibal”. You validate?
He's off to a good start for, yes. What he does this year is huge. It is present on all important races. What amazed me was his first Paris-Roubaix: without his fall, he could have won him. It is complete, very strong … but not invincible. A fall, one day without, and everything can change. The suspense remains intact.
“I had a pugacar to face, it was Lance Armstrong”
Mount Ventoux arrives tomorrow. What does this ascent represent for you?
The Ventoux, for an climber, is the absolute summit. I grew up in the south, and for me, it is the most mythical collar. It is twice the Alpe d'Huez in difficulty. When you arrive at the Reynard chalet, it is 1500 meters, then there is often the Mistral in the face. And the last kilometer… terrible. But it is also magical: there is a real communion with the public, it is a great feast of the bicycle. I think tomorrow will be a great moment.
A advice for attackers who would like to shine in the Ventoux?
Yes … do like me in 2002! I had a pugacar to face, it was Lance Armstrong. I knew how to leave at the right time and resist. So why not tomorrow? The Ventoux can reserve surprises.
