Bernard Vallet - 1982 - Tour de France - Mountains Classification

Description:
Bernard Vallet , wearing the red and white Polka Dot Jersey of the best climber during the 1982 Tour de France.

Symbol of the mountains, of a rider pushing beyond their limits and of courage, the red polka dot jersey, which is sponsored by Poulain in 1982 is awarded to the Tour de France’s leader of the best climber classification. Although this classification was introduced in 1933, its symbol, the polka dot jersey, appeared in 1975, which was also the year the Tour first finished on the Champs-Élysées and was won by Bernard Thévenet.

While Belgium’s Lucien Van Impe was its first winner and claimed the mountains classification six times, just like his illustrious predecessor, Spain’s Federico Bahamontes, the so-called “Eagle of Toledo”, Frenchman Richard Virenque holds the record for victories with seven titles.

Additional details:
Bernard Vallet, né le 18 janvier 1954 à Vienne (Isère) mais originaire et résident à Anneyron (Drôme), est un coureur cycliste français. Professionnel de 1976 à 1987, il a notamment été meilleur grimpeur du Tour de France 1982 et vainqueur d’étape du Tour 1980, à Martigues. Excellent rouleur, lieutenant de Joop Zoetemelk, Mariano Martinez et de Bernard Hinault, il a également remporté les Six jours de Paris et de Grenoble.