aimar won genoa-nice at the start of the season, came second on the flèche wallonne and won the tour de france. his victory was based on an attack on the aubisque, where he had pulled out the previous year, and on another attack in turin. each was followed by fast descending, at which he was talented. he also benefited from the support of jacques anquetil, riding his last tour de france. anquetil ensured that his team would ride in aimar's support and then left the race. aimar finished 1:17 ahead of the dutchman, jan janssen and anquetil's french rival, raymond poulidor.