German Leads Cycle Tour

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 17

German Leads Cycle Tour

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

DUNKIRK.

The war of nerves and words between the two top French cyclists, J. Anquetil and R. Pouldor, hotted up yesterday on the third day of the Tour de France, for which the two riders are joint favourites.

R. Altig. the 29-year-old West German, still held the over-all lead after yesterday’s 82 - mile run from Tournai, in Belgium, to Dunkirk. The stage was won by the Dutchman, G. Karstens. Before the run, Poulidor accused Anquetil of trying to take an unfair advantage over him during the previous day’s stage. Poulidor said that his rival speeded up when he learned Poulidor had been the victim of a crash. “An Old Woman”

Anquetil replied: “He likes to complain like an old woman.” This year's tour seems likely to develop into a bitter fight between the two riders, although neither has yet made a serious move for the leadership. Altig, wearer of the yellow jersey of race leader, was one of four riders in a breakaway group after the half of yesterday’s stage had been completed, but this group was caught by the main bunch with just over 10 miles to go. Karstens and J. Boons (Belgium) immediately made another break and just held on to the finish line to take the first two places.