“I must say I was amazed. It is an incredible colossus, which, however, works precisely, “says the legend of Czechoslovak cycling. As a guest of Škoda Auto within the project” Legends of the Peace Race, you belong to the Tour “, Julian Alaphilipp, the current ruler of the points competition, decorated on the stage.
“My knees were shaking. It was a huge honor. The commentator gave my name, followed by the name of the reigning world champion. A touching moment, “dissolves the fighter, who dominated the six stages in the Peace Race, the most famous amateur race deep in the last century. green jersey of the best Spurter Tour de France.
Bartoníček grew up in Karlovy Vary. And when, as a little boy, he saw a bicycle on display in the colonnade during the Peace Race, he was completely down. “I endured watching the bike for hours,” he recalls with a smile. Just love for life.
Antonín Bartoníček at the start of one of the stages of the Tour de France.
He dreamed that one day he would stand by the side of other stars who fought for glory during the Peace Race. He had no idea about the Old Lady. “There were two pages in the newspaper about the Peace Race and two lines about the Tour de France,” he explains the reality in the communist regime.
In just twenty-two years, he received his first nomination for the Czechoslovak national team. “Just getting into the preparation of the national team for the Peace Race was exceptional. We each packed a beautiful bike, clothes, we had created the conditions. It was amazing. And the start in the race itself was a huge honor for everyone, “Bartoníček recalls.
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At that time, during the stage with the arrival to Góra, he was in escape and won third place. “I worked terribly because I knew that whoever was on the podium would be taken by television. I wanted my mother to see me, “he says.
He fulfilled the plan.
The next day it was finished in Karlovy Vary. And Bartoníček held office again. “The hardest stage I’ve ever done in my life. Rain and snow alternated. Terrible cold, “he shakes with horror even after years. He drove into the stadium from ninth position.” People were screaming terribly. Even after years, I remember the goosebumps and goosebumps. I have before my eyes as I overtake one opponent after another and cross the finish line first, “recapitulates one of the biggest victories of his career.
During the following years, Bartoníček won five more stages. And he completed six complete years. “I never gave up. In one year I got sore throat, severe bronchitis was added. But I kept going and fighting. The peace race was simply not a package. “
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However, Bartoníček also dazzled during the races in other races. He quickly gained respect in the peloton. “I was never afraid. Nobody ever really wanted to go to that mill. I often stayed alone in the spurt. So I just jumped from train to train and rode, “he explains.
“The hills were the horror of all horrors for me,” he smirks. “During the race Around Austria, I rode in the yellow jersey of the leading rider. But I climbed the Grossglockner. I fell off in the third serpentine. I once got into a similar role in the Peace Race. The hills were my disaster, “he admits.
Antonín Bartoníček during the ceremony during the Tour de France
He was a famous downhill skier. “I was unrivaled downstairs,” he agrees. “It takes emotion and courage. And as soon as there were mass commutes, Bartoníček came to life.
It was spurter skills that were behind his overall triumph in the Around Slovakia race. “I have held the record for the longest victory in a long time. I was the first in just five seconds. But I was overtaken by Sagan, who took the overall championship with a difference of only three seconds, “recalls the seven-time green jersey holder for the winner of the Tour de France points competition.
It is the Slovak phenomenon from Žilina that is very close in nature to Bartoníček. “If he had not been rudely disqualified years ago, he would have had eight overall victories. I really admire Peter. It’s a phenomenon and a showman. And cycling is supposed to entertain people, “Bartoníček laughs.” He’s incredibly versatile. He has a huge acceleration. He’s able to start thirty kilometers before the finish line and drive for victory. sings the Slovak legend Bartoníček.
Do you perceive the similarity? Maybe even Czechoslovakia could already have green jerseys from Grande Boucle in its collection, if the regime of Bartoníček had not been kept at home at that time. “I have often heard that I would establish myself among professionals. Some offers also arrived, “Bartoníček recalls that in the peloton and on the border west of Cheb, the spurtering abilities of a native of Karlovy Vary were known.
Antonín Bartoníček with the legendary devil during the Tour de France.
“But I was not a climber. For example, I experienced an ascent to Mont Ventoux. And if I just flirted slightly with the thought of trying it out with professionals, they quickly left me on this hill. The boys were driving terrible bombs. We didn’t have a chance to train such hills regularly. They represented too big a bite, “admits Bartoníček that he never fundamentally regretted the absence in the starting field of the Grand Tour.
He made a big name for himself anyway. When he arrived at the Tour de France during the week, he was also met by the famous French cyclist Bernard Thévenet, who twice dominated the Grande Boucle. “You remembered me from the Peace Race. The French came to us regularly to set off in preparation. Maybe they didn’t even finish the whole race. They took it as training. It is pleasant that one has remained in the memory, “says Bartoníček proudly.
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