1960 marked the first major crossing of the Haute-Marne on the 20th stage of the Grande Boucle. It was also, and above all, the most famous stage of the Tour, as it was the first time since its creation that the Grande Boucle was brought to a standstill by a spectator, and what a spectator it was: General de Gaulle.
As the riders passed through the refuelling station at Chaumont, they had no idea that they were about to experience a historic moment on 16 July 1960. Twenty kilometres further on, the director of the Tour, Jacques Goddet, stopped the race. He took out a megaphone and declared: "The Tour sends its affectionate greetings to President de Gaulle". Like any Colombian, the General had come to watch the riders pass through his town, and walked up to the leaders of the peloton, who immediately took off their caps as a sign of respect.
Among them were Gastone Nencini, the Yellow Jersey winner of the Tour that year, Jean Graczyk, the Green Jersey and André Darrigade, the reigning World Champion in the Rainbow Jersey.
As the riders dismounted, De Gaulle congratulated them and shook their hands cordially. He took the opportunity to say to Nencini: "Good luck, you're going to win the Tour".
Tour de France 1960 - Etape N°20
Localisation : CHASSIGNY
