Quillan Criterium 1981

This was back in the day when manufacturers were sponsors and riders wore toe clips. The photos, all copyrighted by Ray Gilden, were taken after the 1981 Tour de France in the village of Quillan. Bernard Hinault won the Tour that year. Phil Anderson, an Australian, came in 9th. I was able to get Phil's autograph by asking for it over the top of the French speaking crowd. He speaks a curious language similar to ours. I asked Bernard Hinault for his autograph but was crushed when he replied, "Il n'est pas possible." Crushing.