The 1971 Tour de France started with the following 13 teams, each with 10 cyclists:[1]
30+ | 20–29 | 10–19 | 0–9 |
Eddy Merckx, who had won the 1969 and 1970 Tours, was the big favourite. Pre-race predictions were certain that if he would not become ill or crash, Merckx would be the winner, and were speculating whether he would be able to lead the race from start to end.[2]
With fewer flat stages, fewer time trials and more mountain stages, it was thought that climbers would have an advantage.[2]
No. | Starting number worn by the rider during the Tour |
---|---|
Pos. | Position in the general classification |
Time | Deficit to the winner of the general classification |
* | Denotes the winner of the general classification[3] |
† | Denotes the winner of the points classification[4] |
DNS | Denotes a rider who did not start a stage, followed by the stage before which he withdrew |
DNF | Denotes a rider who did not finish a stage, followed by the stage in which he withdrew |
HD | Denotes a rider who finished outside the time limit, followed by the stage in which he did so |
Age correct as of 26 June 1971, the date on which the Tour began |
Country | No. of riders | Finishers | Stage wins |
---|---|---|---|
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25 | 20 | 9 (Eric Leman ×3, Albert Van Vlierberghe, Eddy Merckx ×4, Herman Van Springel) |
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1 | 1 | |
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35 | 31 | 4 (Jean-Pierre Genet, Bernard Thévenet, Bernard Labourdette, Jean-Pierre Danguillaume) |
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2 | 1 | |
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1 | 1 | |
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25 | 11 | 3 (Pietro Guerra, Mauro Simonetti, Luciano Armani) |
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2 | 2 | |
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14 | 10 | 3 (Gerben Karstens, Rini Wagtmans, Jan Krekels) |
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1 | 1 | |
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21 | 15 | 4 (Luis Ocaña ×2, José Manuel Fuente ×2) |
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2 | 0 | |
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1 | 1 | |
Total | 130 | 94 | 24[a] |