PARIS — During the 112th edition of the Tour de France, a particularly moving moment captured the attention of cycling fans: Raymond Poulidor, affectionately known as “PouPou” and grandfather of champion Mathieu van der Poel, expressed his pride in his grandson. “ I am very proud of my grandson ,” he said emotionally in an interview on the sidelines of the 15th stage of the 2025 Tour.

But that’s not all. The legendary French cyclist, the eternal second-in-command adored by the public in the 1960s and 1970s, also revealed a  special promise , made in private, which has since set social media ablaze and shaken the hearts of fans.

According to Raymond Poulidor, now 88, he promised to symbolically cycle up a legendary Tour climb with Mathieu if he won the yellow jersey this year. “I never had this jersey myself, but if Mathieu wins it, I want to share a little of this victory with him, in my own way,” he said, his eyes shining.

This tender yet powerful statement was immediately picked up by French and international media. The hashtag  #PromesseDePouPou even trended on X (formerly Twitter), gathering thousands of messages of support, emotion, and memories.

For many fans, this promise is much more than a simple symbolic gesture. It embodies the transmission of the cycling dream between two generations , the recognition of a shared destiny, and the revenge of time.

Mathieu van der Poel, an iconic figure in the modern peloton, never hides the influence his grandfather had on his career. He said after stage 15: “ What my grandfather said gives me extra strength. Seeing him so proud of me is already a victory. ”

As the battle for the yellow jersey intensifies in the Alps, this deeply personal and authentic story serves as a reminder that the Tour de France is much more than just a race. It’s a saga of passion, sacrifice, and love. The public is not mistaken: this seemingly simple promise has become one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 Tour.

And if Mathieu van der Poel were to don that famous yellow jersey on the Champs-Élysées, an entire country – and far beyond – would vibrate with him… and with PouPou , the eternal hero of the hearts of the French.