The year of the Irish: Remembering Stephen Roche's triumph at the 1987 Tour de France

The latest of our trips down memory lane, as the 2023 Tour de France nears, sees us look back at the 74th edition of the race as Stephen Roche brought the luck of the Irish to take Yellow in one of the most memorable battles of all time.

The 1987 Tour de France, the 74th edition of the world's most prestigious cycling race, provided fans with exhilarating moments and an intense competition between two formidable rivals. Irish cyclist Stephen Roche emerged as the ultimate victor, securing his place in history as the first and only Irish rider to conquer the Tour de France.

Roche's main contender for the yellow jersey was Spanish cyclist Pedro Delgado, who represented the PDM team. Throughout the Tour, Delgado held the coveted yellow jersey as the overall leader, presenting a formidable challenge for Roche. The battle between these two riders would define the outcome of the 1987 Tour de France.

The turning point of the Tour came during the penultimate stage, which featured an individual time trial. Roche, representing the Carrera team, delivered a stellar performance, surpassing expectations and narrowing the gap between himself and Delgado. In a breathtaking display of determination and skill, Roche managed to overturn a significant deficit, ultimately winning the Tour by a mere 40 seconds.

No Tour de France is complete without the iconic climb up Alpe d'Huez. During stage 18 of the 1987 edition, Roche encountered mechanical issues while ascending the challenging mountain. Undeterred by the setback, he displayed true grit and borrowed a bike from a supportive spectator to continue the race. Roche's determination and resilience limited his time loss and kept him firmly in contention for the Maillot Jaune.

Stage 19 of the 1987 Tour de France was marred by controversy. The mountain time trial up the Col du Granon was shortened due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and fog. Several riders, including Roche, protested the decision and refused to continue racing. Consequently, the stage results were nullified, adding an element of controversy to an already gripping Tour.

In addition to Roche's overall victory, other notable achievements emerged from the 1987 Tour de France. Jean-Paul van Poppel from the Netherlands, representing the Superconfex team, claimed the green jersey for the best sprinter. Luis Herrera from Colombia, riding for the Café de Colombia team, secured the polka dot jersey for the best climber. The white jersey for the best young rider was awarded to Raúl Alcalá from Mexico, competing for the PDM team.

The 1987 Tour de France will forever be etched in cycling history as the year Stephen Roche overcame tremendous odds to secure a memorable victory. His battle with Pedro Delgado, the thrilling Alpe d'Huez drama, and the controversy surrounding stage 19 contributed to the race's enduring legacy. Roche's triumph marked a significant milestone for Ireland, and for himself, as he added the Tour de France to the Giro d'Italia he had won earlier that year before later adding the World Championship. His remarkable achievement continues to inspire cyclists and fans alike.