1981 Tour de France

1981 Tour de France

Route of the 1981 Tour de France
Race details
Dates	25 June – 19 July 1981
Stages	22 + Prologue, including two split stages
Distance	3,753 km (2,332 mi)
Winning time	96h 19' 38"
Results
Winner  Bernard Hinault (FRA) (Renault–Elf–Gitane)   Second  Lucien Van Impe (BEL) (Boston–Mavic)   Third  Robert Alban (FRA) (La Redoute–Motobécane) Points  Freddy Maertens (BEL) (Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago) Mountains  Lucien Van Impe (BEL) (Boston–Mavic) Youth  Peter Winnen (NED) (Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata)   Combination  Bernard Hinault (FRA) (Renault–Elf–Gitane)   Sprints  Freddy Maertens (BEL) (Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago)   Combativity  Bernard Hinault (FRA) (Renault–Elf–Gitane)   Team Peugeot–Esso–Michelin   Team points Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
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The 1981 Tour de France was the 68th edition of the Tour de France, taking place between 25 June and 19 July. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3,753 km (2,332 mi). It was dominated by Bernard Hinault, who led the race from the sixth stage on, increasing his lead almost every stage. Only Phil Anderson was able to stay close to him, until the 16th stage when he fell behind by about 7:00, and then on the 17th stage he would lose another 17 minutes. In the end only Lucien Van Impe, Robert Alban and Joop Zoetemelk were able to finish inside 20:00 of the now three time champ.

The points classification was won by Freddy Maertens, who did so by winning five stages. The mountains classification was won by Lucien Van Impe, Peter Winnen won the young rider classification, and the Peugeot team won the team classification.