Richard Virenque is back on the Tour de France From this Monday, July 21, in Montpellier and before the stage of Mont Ventoux This Tuesday. You necessarily know the friendly relationships between Cyclism’Actu et Richard Virenque who was invited to this tour by the organization Amaury Sport Organisation and its managing director, Yann Le Moenner. No offense to some but Virenque is an essential figure in the Large loop.
He is the record holder of the number of pea jerseys won, with seven polka dot jersey. Always as passionate, the former climber evokes with emotion his legendary victory at Mont Ventoux in 2002 – the year of his return after the case Haste – And returns to this legendary collar that has counted so much in his career, while the runners borrow it this Tuesday. The best climber jersey is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Virenque underlines its symbolic value, between fighting spirit, panache and love of the mountain. Interview with memories and outspokenness!
“Win at Mont Ventoux that year …”
Hello Richard, Thank you for granting us this little interview in the middle of a tour of France. It's been a while since we've seen you, so to start, how are you?
It's going pretty well. When we are in July, that the tour started, that the cicadas sing in Provence and that the sun is radiant … What more could you ask for? It's beautiful.
Will you be present on this 112nd edition of the Tour de France?
Yes, I am invited for the stage between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux. I can't wait to be there.
It will be a beautiful step, a spectacular finale between the favorites … and the Ventoux, Mont Chauve, remains a mythical place of the Tour. He must remind you of good memories, especially in 2002, 23 years ago …
Yes, clearly. Winning at Ventoux that year, after my return following the Festina affair was very strong. I was already happy to come back to the Tour, but to impose myself in front of a very offensive Armstrong lance, it was huge. Also very tiring: I had escaped more than 200 km. It remains a very good memory. The Ventoux, I won it several times, twice in the Dauphiné, and once on the Tour. It goes back, but it remains marked.
What do you think makes this collar so special?
His difficulty. It's 18 km of ascent, it's long, it's hard. What is special is that we see it from afar, and it creates stress. There is often wind, especially when approaching, so you have to be very vigilant. After Bédoin, we enter the forest, with average percentages around 10–12 %, and often suffocating heat: 32, 34 degrees for several kilometers. The more you go up, the more hot it is, the harder. We exceed 1500 m altitude, so here too, it plays. And often, there is an unfavorable wind at the top … it's a very complete pass.
In your opinion, is it, the most difficult pass in France?
No, not necessarily. There are longer or higher passes, such as the Bonette-RESTEFOND. But for those who do not know, we can say that the Ventoux is a bit like twice the Alpe d'Huez suddenly. It gives an idea of the challenge.
Tour de France – “50 years of pea jersey” Serge Laget's book with Virenque #Made #Lequipe #TDF2025 #Virenque #Hautacam #Book https://t.co/hgK68UIIg6
— Cyclism’Actu (@cyclismactu) July 19, 2025
“The polka dot jersey embodied my way of running”
This year, we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the polka dot jersey. What is this jersey represents for you?
Frankly, it is a jersey that rewards the offensive runner. Whoever is in action, a bit like the price of combativeness, but in the mountains. To bring it back to Paris, you have to be present at the front throughout the Tour, in all mountain stages. It is not a question of being in front once or two: you have to be there as soon as the road rises. You have to be a good climber, a good recuperator, have persistence. It's a jersey that embodied my way of running. As early as 1992, when I finished 2nd behind Claudio Chiappucci, I understood that this jersey suited me. And over time, he contributed to my popularity.
You have won it seven times, it's a record. Is it a statistic that is close to your heart?
Yes, necessarily. In my last years of career, I said to myself: “It would be good to reach it seven times”. Well, there are two laps where I stayed on the bench, we're going to say. At my best physical level, I might have been able to do more. But seven is not bad.
Regrets not to have eight or new?
No, not really. But it is true that when your career lasts ten years, and that we put you aside for extra-sporting reasons, it's hard to take.
Among your seven polling jerseys, is there one that has particularly marked you?
The first, in 1992, of course. I was young, 21, I discovered the tour. It transformed me. Then, I was fortunate to be always in action on my 13 participations: for the general, for the jersey, for stage victories. And I had a team that helped me. I think of Pascal Hervé, Laurent Brochard, guys who were going to get the points for me while waiting for the last week, where I finished the job. At one point, we almost run to the economy, because we target the Grail. When you already have five or six, you say to yourself: “Why not one more?”
? #Stade2 | Richard Virenque, the peas of history
It is an icon of the Tour de France! The pea jersey celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Frenchman, who won him 7 times, plunges back into his memories.
▶ ️ The program in replay: pic.twitter.com/Na4ApPdBaJ
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) July 13, 2025
“The polka dot jersey is not devalued”
Would you say that there is a special mentality among the porters of the polka dot jersey? A certain image of the attacker, the climber, often very appreciated by the public?
Yes, completely. Each year, the runner who wins this jersey is the one that was constantly at the front. It is the “yellow mountain jersey”, but also that of the attacker. Look at Pogacar: he won him because he attacks, even when he doesn't need it. The polka dot jersey rewards audacity, commitment. The one who passes July in front.
Some say, however, that the polka dot has lost its value in recent years. Less craze, or sometimes won by default by general favorites … What do you think?
I do not agree. It is not that it is devalued. What is hard is regularity. Winning once, twice is good. But repeating it, there is something else. This is what makes a record. And there were French people who made him shine: Julian Alaphilippe, Romain Bardet, Warren Barguil. Afterwards, it's true, you have to succeed in transforming the test over several years.
The little prognosis of Richard Virenque, who will wear the polka dot jersey in Paris in 2025?
I would say Vingegaard. I think he will pose problems to Pogacar. Maybe he won't win the tour, but he could have this jersey as a reward. And I think it would do him good, he who is quite introverted, discreet … This jersey could help him in his image.
