Philippe Bouvatier

Philippe Bouvatier was a French cyclist. As a junior rider he finished in third place at the 1981 Road World Championships and in first place in the National Championships the following year. In 1984 Bouvatier finished in second place in Paris–Troyes and in third place at the Tour de L’Avenir. The same year he was named the leader of the French cycling team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Bouvatier finished just inside the top 30 in the road race, and in sixth place in the team time trial.

Bouvatier competed as a professional cyclist from 1984 to 1995, riding for multiple teams including Renault-Elf, RMO, and Castorama. From 1986 to 1993 he rode at all three Grand Tours; the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España. His most infamous moment came on stage 14 of the 1988 Tour de France when he took a wrong turn just before the finish line, costing him the win, and ultimately finishing in third place.