Answers
A1. The great Eddy Merckx, also the race winner, back in 1971/72. Heady company, Wout!
A2. That Merckx character again, this time in 1970! Some rider he was, that Eddy!
A3. A. Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel who started every Tour from 2001-2018 for 18 starts! He did not finish the 2007 and 2012 editions. B. Chavanel and Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk both finished 16. From 1970-1986, Zoetemelk raced the Tour every year except 1974. In every year he started, he also finished. From 1970-1982 (except 1974, when he didn’t start), he finished in the top-10 every time he started, including his win in 1980. In fact, except for 1977 (when he finished 8th), Zoetemelk finished in the top-5 every year he started from 1970-1982. His finishes from 1983-1986 were all between 21st and 30th.
It is of note that American George Hincapie started 17 and finished 16 but had the years of 2004-06 removed from the records due to his doping admission.
A4. It was Canadian Kelly-Ann Way who won Stage 8 into Pau. Surprisingly, the French, despite two teams, did not win a stage in their own event!
A5. 3rd in both the 1986 and 1989 editions was the best US result, achieved by Inga Thompson, then of Reno, Nevada. She additionally won the polka-dot Queen of the Mountains jersey in the 1986 edition.
