Absent from the Tour de France since 2016, Gérard Holtz confided in what remains, to this day, the worst memory of his career: the fatal fall of Fabio Casartelli in 1995.
the Tour de France 2022 starts this Friday, July 1 from Copenhagen, at the Danermak. For six years, Gérard Holtz is no longer present on the edges of the road for France Télévisions. The sports journalist made the decision in 2016 to leave public service to join his wife in Rome. In an interview with our Belgian colleagues from Télépro, this June 24, Gérard Holtz returned to his formidable and long career on television and notably mentioned what remains as his worst memory.
“My worst memory is the death of cyclist Fabio Casartelli. The fall happened 20 meters from me, we arrived with the car, I picked up Johan Museeuw and unfortunately Casartelli had his head smashed on the ground, it was a very, very bad moment.”explains Gérard Holtz in this joint interview with his son, Julien, on the occasion of the release of their book, Conquering the impossible at Grund. Italian cyclist from 24 years, Fabio Casartelli died on July 18, 1995 in the descent of the Col de Portet-d’Aspet in the Pyrenees, on the roads of the Tour de France. He was not wearing a helmet because of the heat and his head hit a concrete pad that lined the road. Airlifted to Tarbes hospital, he then suffered from serious facial trauma and suffered three cardiac arrests during his transfer. He died of his injuries a few hours later.
Tour de France 2022: who are the favourites?
For fifteen years, hot weather or not, professional cyclists in the Tour de France have been required to wear their helmets throughout the race. This July 1, they set off from Denmark for three intense weeks on Danish roads at first then French from Tuesday. This year again, it is Tadej Pogacar, double defending champion, who is the favorite for the final victory. The Slovenian will however have to be wary of his compatriot Primoz Roglic or even of Romain Bardetthe French surprise guest of this Tour de France after his retirement from the Giro last May.
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz left television to join his wife in Rome
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz confided in an interview with Télépro on his worst memory on television
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Gerard Holtz
Gerard Holtz’s worst memory was on the 1995 Tour de France
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Gerard Holtz
It’s about the death of Fabio Casartelli
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Gerard Holtz
Fabio Casartelli was a 24-year-old Italian cyclist who died in a fall in a Pyrenean descent
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Gerard Holtz
Fabio Casartelli’s head, without a helmet because of the heat, hit a concrete stud
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz was only a few meters behind the Italian cyclist
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz therefore attended the scene live
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz in June 2022
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Gerard Holtz
Gérard Holtz in June 2022