# 1981 Tour de France

The 1981 Tour de France was the 68th edition of the Tour de France, taking place between 25 June and 19 July. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3,753 km (2,332 mi). It was dominated by Bernard Hinault, who led the race from the sixth stage on, increasing his lead almost every stage. Only Phil Anderson was able to stay close to him, until the 16th stage when he fell behind by about 7:00, and then on the 17th stage he would lose another 17 minutes. In the end only Lucien Van Impe, Robert Alban and Joop Zoetemelk were able to finish inside 20:00 of the now three time champ.
The points classification was won by Freddy Maertens, who did so by winning five stages. The mountains classification was won by Lucien Van Impe, Peter Winnen won the young rider classification, and the Peugeot team won the team classification.

## Teams

Late 1980, there were plans to make the tour "open", which meant that amateur teams would also be allowed to join. This would make it possible for teams from Eastern Europe to join. The plan did not materialize, so only professional teams were invited. In January 1981, the organisation decided that there would be 15 teams with 10 cyclists, or 16 teams with 9 cyclists each. At that point, 16 teams had already submitted a request to join, and the organisation was in discussion with four additional Italian teams, and the American national team. In the end, the American team did not apply, and the Italian teams decided to focus on the 1981 Giro d'Italia. The organisation selected 15 teams, who each selected 10 cyclists, for a total of 150 participants.
The teams entering the race were:
* TI–Raleigh–Creda
* Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
* Miko–Mercier–Vivagel
* Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor
* Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo
* La Redoute–Motobécane
* Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata
* Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo
* Boston–Mavic
* Teka–Campagnolo
* DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or
* Kelme–Gios
* Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago
* Renault–Elf–Gitane
* Vermeer Thijs

## Pre-race favourites

Bernard Hinault, the winner of the 1978 and 1979 Tour de France and reigning world champion, was the main favourite. His knee problems, that caused him to leave the 1980 Tour de France, were solved, and he was in form: Hinault had won important races in the spring, and he had skipped the 1981 Giro d'Italia to focus on the Tour. His main rivals were 1980 Tour de France winner Joop Zoetemelk, 1976 Tour de France winner Lucien Van Impe and Joaquim Agostinho, although they had never been able to beat Hinault when he was in form, and of these rivals only Zoetemelk was ever able to keep Hinault within striking distance.
Freddy Maertens, the winner of the points classification in the Tour de France in 1976 and 1978, had won only three minor races in 1979 and 1980, but in 1981 he was selected again for the Tour.

## Route and stages

The route for the 1981 Tour de France was revealed in December 1980. Originally, the thirteenth stage was planned as a time trial, followed by a transfer of more than 500 km on the same day, with the fourteenth stage the next day as a mountain stage. A few months before the Tour, there were many teams interested in the Tour, and the Tour organisation was afraid that there would not be enough time on 9 July to have the time trial for that many cyclists, followed by the transfer. For this reason, the thirteenth stage was changed into a criterium, and the fourteenth stage became the time trial. The 1981 Tour de France started on 25 June, and had two rest days, in Nantes and Morzine. The highest point of elevation in the race was 2,000 m (6,600 ft) at the summit of the Col de la Madeleine mountain pass on stage 19.
Stage characteristics and winners :
| Stage | Date | Course | Distance | Type | Type | Winner |
| P | 25 June | Nice | 6 km (3.7 mi) | | Individual time trial | Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
| 1a | 26 June | Nice | 97 km (60 mi) | | Hilly stage | Freddy Maertens (BEL) |
| 1b | 26 June | Nice | 40 km (25 mi) | | Team time trial | TI–Raleigh–Creda |
| 2 | 27 June | Nice to Martigues | 254 km (158 mi) | | Plain stage | Johan van der Velde (NED) |
| 3 | 28 June | Martigues to Narbonne | 232 km (144 mi) | | Plain stage | Freddy Maertens (BEL) |
| 4 | 29 June | Narbonne to Carcassonne | 77 km (48 mi) | | Team time trial | TI–Raleigh–Creda |
| 5 | 30 June | Saint-Gaudens to Pla d'Adet | 117 km (73 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | Lucien Van Impe (BEL) |
| 6 | 1 July | Nay to Pau | 27 km (17 mi) | | Individual time trial | Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
| 7 | 2 July | Pau to Bordeaux | 227 km (141 mi) | | Plain stage | Urs Freuler (SUI) |
| 8 | 3 July | Rochefort to Nantes | 182 km (113 mi) | | Plain stage | Ad Wijnands (NED) |
| | 4 July | Nantes | Nantes | | Rest day | Rest day |
| 9 | 5 July | Nantes to Le Mans | 197 km (122 mi) | | Plain stage | René Martens (BEL) |
| 10 | 6 July | Le Mans to Aulnay-sous-Bois | 264 km (164 mi) | | Plain stage | Ad Wijnands (NED) |
| 11 | 7 July | Compiègne to Roubaix | 246 km (153 mi) | | Plain stage | Daniel Willems (BEL) |
| 12a | 8 July | Roubaix to Brussels (Belgium) | 107 km (66 mi) | | Plain stage | Freddy Maertens (BEL) |
| 12b | 8 July | Brussels (Belgium) to Circuit Zolder (Belgium) | 138 km (86 mi) | | Plain stage | Eddy Planckaert (BEL) |
| 13 | 9 July | Beringen (Belgium) to Hasselt (Belgium) | 157 km (98 mi) | | Plain stage | Freddy Maertens (BEL) |
| 14 | 10 July | Mulhouse | 38 km (24 mi) | | Individual time trial | Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
| 15 | 11 July | Besançon to Thonon-les-Bains | 231 km (144 mi) | | Hilly stage | Sean Kelly (IRE) |
| 16 | 12 July | Thonon-les-Bains to Morzine | 200 km (120 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | Robert Alban (FRA) |
| | 13 July | Morzine | Morzine | | Rest day | Rest day |
| 17 | 14 July | Morzine to Alpe d'Huez | 230 km (140 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | Peter Winnen (NED) |
| 18 | 15 July | Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Le Pleynet | 134 km (83 mi) | | Stage with mountain(s) | Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
| 19 | 16 July | Veurey to Saint-Priest | 118 km (73 mi) | | Plain stage | Daniel Willems (BEL) |
| 20 | 17 July | Saint-Priest | 46 km (29 mi) | | Individual time trial | Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
| 21 | 18 July | Auxerre to Fontenay-sous-Bois | 207 km (129 mi) | | Plain stage | Johan van der Velde (NED) |
| 22 | 19 July | Fontenay-sous-Bois to Paris (Champs-Élysées) | 187 km (116 mi) | | Plain stage | Freddy Maertens (BEL) |
| | Total | Total | 3,753 km (2,332 mi) | 3,753 km (2,332 mi) | 3,753 km (2,332 mi) | 3,753 km (2,332 mi) |

## Race overview

Hinault started out strong and won the prologue. Freddy Maertens showed he was still able to win sprints by winning the first part of the first stage. The second part was a team time trial, won by TI–Raleigh, which put Gerrie Knetemann in the lead of the race. TI–Raleigh also won the second team time trial in stage four.
The Pyrenees were only briefly visited, in the fifth stage. For the last mountain, Hinault was the lead group, together with Lucien Van Impe and Phil Anderson. Van Impe escaped in the last kilometres and won the stage, 27 seconds ahead of Hinault. Anderson, who finished in third place, became the new leader, the first Australian cyclist to wear the yellow jersey. Anderson had started as domestique for Jean-René Bernaudeau, and nobody was expecting him to be able to follow Hinault. In the time trial of stage six, Hinault won as expected, and became the race leader. Anderson surprised with a third place, and he now followed Hinault by 13 seconds in the general classification.
In the following stages, through Northern France and Belgium, Hinault slowly increased his margin over Anderson by winning amelioration sprints, until leading by 57 seconds after stage 13. In stage 14, Hinault won the time trial, and added two more minutes to the margin.
In the sixteenth stage in the Alps, Anderson was not able to follow anymore. He lost 4 minutes to Hinault, but stayed in second place. Anderson lost this second place in the 17th stage, where he lost 17 minutes, making Van Impe the new second placed cyclist, nine minutes behind. Hinault showed his dominance by winning the eighteenth stage.
The time trial in stage 20 was also won by Hinault, who increased the margin to Van Impe to more than 14 minutes.

### Doping

In the 16th stage, Claude Vincendeau was randomly selected to undergo a doping test. Vincendeau abandoned during that stage, and had already left to his hotel. One of the doctors then went to his hotel to obtain a urine sample, but Vincendeau was unable/unwanting to give it. This counted as a positive test.

## Classification leadership and minor prizes

There were several classifications in the 1981 Tour de France, four of them awarding jerseys to their leaders. The most important was the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage. The cyclist with the least accumulated time was the race leader, identified by the yellow jersey; the winner of this classification is considered the winner of the Tour. The time bonus for stage winners had been absent in the years before, but it returned in 1981; 30, 20 and 10 seconds for the first three cyclists in every stage.
Additionally, there was a points classification, were cyclists got points for finishing among the best in a stage finish, or in intermediate sprints. The cyclist with the most points lead the classification, and was identified with a green jersey.
There was also a mountains classification. The organisation had categorised some climbs as either hors catégorie, first, second, third, or fourth-category; points for this classification were won by the first cyclists that reached the top of these climbs first, with more points available for the higher-categorised climbs. The cyclist with the most points lead the classification, and wore a white jersey with red polka dots.
Another classification was the young rider classification. This was decided the same way as the general classification, but only cyclists younger than 24 were eligible, and the leader wore a white jersey.
The fifth individual classification was the intermediate sprints classification. This classification had similar rules as the points classification, but only points were awarded on intermediate sprints. In 1981, this classification had no associated jersey.
For the team classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added; the leading team was the team with the lowest total time. The riders in the team that led this classification were identified by yellow caps. There was also a team points classification. Cyclists received points according to their finishing position on each stage, with the first rider receiving one point. The first three finishers of each team had their points combined, and the team with the fewest points led the classification. The riders of the team leading this classification wore green caps.
In addition, there was a combativity award given after each mass-start stage to the cyclist considered most combative. The split stages each had a combined winner. The decision was made by a jury composed of journalists who gave points. The cyclist with the most points from votes in all stages led the combativity classification. Bernard Hinault won this classification, and was given overall the super-combativity award. The Souvenir Henri Desgrange was given in honour of Tour founder Henri Desgrange to the first rider to pass a point in the Landes forest 42 km (26 mi) before the end of stage 7 in Bordeaux. This prize was won by Theo de Rooij.
Classification leadership by stage :
| Stage | Stage winner | General classification | Points classification | Mountains classification | Young rider classification | Combination classification | Intermediate sprints classification | Team classifications | Team classifications | Combativity award |
| Stage | Stage winner | General classification | Points classification | Mountains classification | Young rider classification | Combination classification | Intermediate sprints classification | By time | By points | Combativity award |
| P | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | no award | Theo de Rooij | Bernard Hinault | no award | Renault–Elf–Gitane | TI–Raleigh–Creda | not awarded |
| 1a | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Rudy Pevenage | Charly Bérard | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Rudy Pevenage | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Jean-René Bernaudeau |
| 1b | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Gerrie Knetemann | Rudy Pevenage | Charly Bérard | Ad Wijnands | Bernard Hinault | Rudy Pevenage | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Renault–Elf–Gitane | not awarded |
| 2 | Johan van der Velde | Gerrie Knetemann | Rudy Pevenage | Bernard Hinault | Ad Wijnands | Bernard Hinault | Rudy Pevenage | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle |
| 3 | Freddy Maertens | Gerrie Knetemann | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Ad Wijnands | Phil Anderson | Rudy Pevenage | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | Willy Teirlinck |
| 4 | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Gerrie Knetemann | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Ad Wijnands | Daniel Willems | Rudy Pevenage | TI–Raleigh–Creda | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | not awarded |
| 5 | Lucien Van Impe | Phil Anderson | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Phil Anderson | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | Bernard Hinault |
| 6 | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Renault–Elf–Gitane | not awarded |
| 7 | Urs Freuler | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Jean-François Pescheux |
| 8 | Ad Wijnands | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | Eddy Verstraeten |
| 9 | René Martens | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Patrick Perret |
| 10 | Ad Wijnands | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Régis Ovion |
| 11 | Daniel Willems | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Serge Beucherie |
| 12a | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Daniel Willems |
| 12b | Eddy Planckaert | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Daniel Willems |
| 13 | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Rudy Pevenage |
| 14 | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | not awarded |
| 15 | Sean Kelly | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Renault–Elf–Gitane | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Pierre Bazzo |
| 16 | Robert Alban | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Phil Anderson | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Hubert Linard |
| 17 | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Dominique Arnaud |
| 18 | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Juan Fernández Martín |
| 19 | Daniel Willems | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Phil Anderson |
| 20 | Bernard Hinault | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | not awarded |
| 21 | Johan van der Velde | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Gerrie Knetemann |
| 22 | Freddy Maertens | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Dominique Arnaud |
| Final | Final | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Lucien Van Impe | Peter Winnen | Bernard Hinault | Freddy Maertens | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | Bernard Hinault |

## Final standings

Legend :
| Denotes the winner of the general classification | Denotes the winner of the points classification |
| Denotes the winner of the mountains classification | Denotes the winner of the young rider classification |

### General classification

Final general classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 96h 19' 38" |
| 2 | Lucien Van Impe (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | + 14' 34" |
| 3 | Robert Alban (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 17' 04" |
| 4 | Joop Zoetemelk (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 18' 21" |
| 5 | Peter Winnen (NED) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 20' 26" |
| 6 | Jean-René Bernaudeau (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 23' 02" |
| 7 | Johan De Muynck (BEL) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 24' 25" |
| 8 | Sven-Åke Nilsson (SWE) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 24' 37" |
| 9 | Claude Criquielion (BEL) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 26' 18" |
| 10 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 27' 00" |
Final general classification (11–121) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 11 | Alfons De Wolf (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 28' 53" |
| 12 | Johan van der Velde (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 29' 46" |
| 13 | Marcel Tinazzi (FRA) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 30' 03" |
| 14 | Paul Wellens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 32' 09" |
| 15 | Mariano Martínez (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 32' 16" |
| 16 | Eddy Schepers (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 33' 27" |
| 17 | Raymond Martin (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 33' 41" |
| 18 | Michel Laurent (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 34' 41" |
| 19 | Jean-François Rodriguez (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 38' 32" |
| 20 | Graham Jones (GBR) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 41' 06" |
| 21 | Alberto Fernández (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 42' 27" |
| 22 | Lucien Didier (LUX) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 49' 26" |
| 23 | Jacques Michaud (FRA) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 50' 23" |
| 24 | Dominique Arnaud (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 52' 15" |
| 25 | Géry Verlinden (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 52' 48" |
| 26 | Didier Vanoverschelde (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 53' 13" |
| 27 | Charly Berard (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 56' 06" |
| 28 | Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 56' 37" |
| 29 | Régis Ovion (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 56' 43" |
| 30 | Hennie Kuiper (NED) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 57' 21" |
| 31 | Pierre Bazzo (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 58' 00" |
| 32 | Jonathan Boyer (USA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 59' 21" |
| 33 | Serge Beucherie (FRA) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 1h 01' 40" |
| 34 | Jostein Wilmann (NOR) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 1h 02' 46" |
| 35 | Marino Lejarreta (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 1h 10' 37" |
| 36 | Christian Seznec (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 1h 12' 43" |
| 37 | Bernard Thévenet (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 1h 12' 48" |
| 38 | Vicente Belda (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 1h 14' 23" |
| 39 | Theo de Rooij (NED) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 1h 16' 02" |
| 40 | Ronny Claes (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 1h 17' 08" |
| 41 | Alain Meslet (FRA) | Boston–Mavic | + 1h 18' 38" |
| 42 | Jordi (Jorge) Fortia (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 1h 23' 28" |
| 43 | Alain Vigneron (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 1h 24' 52" |
| 44 | Patrick Perret (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 1h 25' 55" |
| 45 | Bernard Vallet (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 1h 26' 10" |
| 46 | Hubert Linard (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 1h 26' 12" |
| 47 | Patrick Friou (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 1h 27' 20" |
| 48 | Sean Kelly (IRE) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 1h 28' 24" |
| 49 | Klaus-Peter Thaler (FRG) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 1h 28' 51" |
| 50 | Juan Fernández (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 1h 30' 46" |
| 51 | Régis Clère (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 1h 31' 01" |
| 52 | Guy Nulens (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 1h 33' 39" |
| 53 | Alain De Carvalho (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 1h 35' 25" |
| 54 | Henk Lubberding (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 1h 37' 43" |
| 55 | Gerrie Knetemann (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 1h 39' 54" |
| 56 | Maurice Le Guilloux (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 1h 41' 25" |
| 57 | Hendrik Devos (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 1h 42' 05" |
| 58 | Jean-Louis Gauthier (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 1h 42' 12" |
| 59 | Ludo Peeters (BEL) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 1h 43' 05" |
| 60 | Hubert Arbès (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 1h 43' 45" |
| 61 | Roger Legeay (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 1h 43' 56" |
| 62 | Ronald De Witte (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 1h 44' 07" |
| 63 | Jacques Bossis (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 1h 44' 39" |
| 64 | Ismael Lejarreta (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 1h 44' 49" |
| 65 | Rudy Colman (BEL) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 1h 46' 53" |
| 66 | Freddy Maertens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 1h 47' 34" |
| 67 | Jos De Schoenmaecker (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 1h 47' 54" |
| 68 | Bernard Becaas (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 1h 48' 05" |
| 69 | Bernardo Alfonsel (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 1h 49' 11" |
| 70 | Jean Chassang (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 1h 50' 34" |
| 71 | Yves Hézard (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 1h 52' 15" |
| 72 | Bernard Bourreau (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | + 1h 56' 32" |
| 73 | Hubert Mathis (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 1h 58' 29" |
| 74 | Ludo Delcroix (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 1h 59' 59" |
| 75 | Rudy Pevenage (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 2h 00' 34" |
| 76 | Louis Luyten (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 2h 02' 01" |
| 77 | Christian Levavasseur (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 2h 02' 36" |
| 78 | Patrick Moerlen (SUI) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 2h 03' 20" |
| 79 | Herman Beysens (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 2h 03' 25" |
| 80 | Hennie Stamsnijder (NED) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 05' 31" |
| 81 | Adrie van Houwelingen (NED) | Vermeer Thijs | + 2h 06' 20" |
| 82 | Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke (BEL) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 2h 07' 14" |
| 83 | René Martens (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 07' 41" |
| 84 | Jos Jacobs (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 2h 08' 21" |
| 85 | Yvon Bertin (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 2h 10' 08" |
| 86 | Joël Gallopin (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 2h 10' 22" |
| 87 | Roger De Cnijf (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | + 2h 10' 47" |
| 88 | Jean-François Pescheux (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 2h 12' 04" |
| 89 | Franky De Gendt (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 2h 12' 42" |
| 90 | Patrick Hosotte (FRA) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 2h 12' 49" |
| 91 | Paulinho Martinez (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 2h 13' 12" |
| 92 | Marc Durant (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 2h 13' 51" |
| 93 | William Tackaert (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 21' 50" |
| 94 | Frits Pirard (NED) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 2h 23' 40" |
| 95 | Frank Hoste (BEL) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 2h 23' 56" |
| 96 | Eugène Urbany (LUX) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 2h 25' 01" |
| 97 | Jesús Guzmán (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 2h 25' 38" |
| 98 | Jean-Paul Hosotte (FRA) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 2h 28' 09" |
| 99 | Ferdi Van Den Haute (BEL) | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 2h 28' 11" |
| 100 | Jaime Vilamajo (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 2h 29' 41" |
| 101 | Eulalio García (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 2h 30' 43" |
| 102 | Leo Wellens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 2h 30' 46" |
| 103 | Francisco Ramon Albelda (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 2h 33' 54" |
| 104 | Manuel (Imanol) Murga (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 2h 35' 45" |
| 105 | Jésus Suarez (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 2h 37' 36" |
| 106 | Marc Dierickx (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 38' 10" |
| 107 | Dirk Wayenberg (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 2h 40' 27" |
| 108 | Eddy Verstraeten (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | + 2h 44' 22" |
| 109 | Albert Zweifel (SUI) | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 2h 44' 24" |
| 110 | Marcel Laurens (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 45' 21" |
| 111 | Willy Teirlinck (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | + 2h 46' 44" |
| 112 | Gerhard Schönbacher (AUT) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 2h 51' 30" |
| 113 | Johnny Broers (NED) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 3h 01' 58" |
| 114 | Luc De Grauwe (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | + 3h 05' 51" |
| 115 | Aad van den Hoek (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 3h 11' 29" |
| 116 | Jan Jonkers (NED) | Boston–Mavic | + 3h 15' 21" |
| 117 | Johan Wellens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 3h 16' 02" |
| 118 | Jorge Ruiz (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 3h 16' 13" |
| 119 | Alain De Roo (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | + 3h 19' 07" |
| 120 | Philippe Tesniere (FRA) | Boston–Mavic | + 4h 14' 59" |
| 121 | Faustino Cueli (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 4h 29' 54" |

### Points classification

Final points classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Freddy Maertens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | 428 |
| 2 | William Tackaert (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | 222 |
| 3 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 184 |
| 4 | Alfons De Wolf (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | 152 |
| 5 | Rudy Pevenage (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | 147 |
| 6 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 146 |
| 7 | Sean Kelly (IRE) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | 121 |
| 8 | Johan van der Velde (NED) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | 120 |
| 9 | Yvon Bertin (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 110 |
| 10 | Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 83 |

### Mountains classification

Final mountains classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Lucien Van Impe (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | 284 |
| 2 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 222 |
| 3 | Jean-René Bernaudeau (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 168 |
| 4 | Robert Alban (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | 134 |
| 5 | Sven-Åke Nilsson (SWE) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | 95 |
| 6 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 79 |
| 7 | Peter Winnen (NED) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | 70 |
| 8 | Raymond Martin (FRA) | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | 63 |
| 8 | Alfons De Wolf (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | 63 |
| 10 | Alberto Fernández (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | 53 |

### Young rider classification

Final young rider classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peter Winnen (NED) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | 96h 40' 04" |
| 2 | Claude Criquielion (BEL) | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | +5' 52" |
| 3 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | +6' 26" |
| 4 | Jean-François Rodriguez (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | +18' 06" |
| 5 | Graham Jones (GBR) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | +20' 40" |
| 6 | Dominique Arnaud (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 31' 49" |
| 7 | Marino Lejarreta (ESP) | Teka–Campagnolo | + 50' 11" |
| 8 | Theo de Rooij (NED) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 55' 36" |
| 9 | Ronny Claes (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 56' 03" |
| 10 | Juan Fernández (ESP) | Kelme–Gios | + 1h 10' 20" |

### Combination classification

Final combination classification (1–6) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 6 |
| 2 | Lucien Van Impe (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | 20 |
| 3 | Jean-René Bernaudeau (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 21 |
| 4 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 22 |
| 5 | Alfons De Wolf (BEL) | Vermeer Thijs | 23 |
| 6 | Robert Alban (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | 25 |

### Intermediate sprints classification

Final intermediate sprints classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Freddy Maertens (BEL) | Sunair–Sport 80–Colnago | 131 |
| 2 | William Tackaert (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | 106 |
| 3 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 61 |
| 4 | Yvon Bertin (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 51 |
| 5 | Pierre Bazzo (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | 45 |
| 6 | Rudy Pevenage (BEL) | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | 43 |
| 7 | Willy Teirlinck (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | 38 |
| 8 | Ludo Peeters (BEL) | TI–Raleigh–Creda | 36 |
| 9 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 34 |
| 10 | Marcel Laurens (BEL) | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | 32 |

### Team classification

Final team classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Team | Time |
| 1 | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 399h 30' 24" |
| 2 | Renault–Elf–Gitane | + 11' 20" |
| 3 | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | + 26' 46" |
| 4 | La Redoute–Motobécane | + 42' 49" |
| 5 | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | + 45' 53" |
| 6 | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | + 52' 17" |
| 7 | TI–Raleigh–Creda | + 1h 55' 35" |
| 8 | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | + 2h 15' 53" |
| 9 | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | + 2h 23' 29" |
| 10 | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | + 2h 29' 20" |

### Team points classification

Final team points classification (1–10) :
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1 | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 1086 |
| 2 | Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata | 1202 |
| 3 | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 1336 |
| 4 | La Redoute–Motobécane | 1583 |
| 5 | TI–Raleigh–Creda | 1632 |
| 6 | Splendor–Wickes Bouwmarkt–Europ Decor | 1838 |
| 7 | Sem–France Loire–Campagnolo | 1918 |
| 8 | Miko–Mercier–Vivagel | 2011 |
| 9 | DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or | 2285 |
| 10 | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | 2314 |

### Combativity classification

Final combativity classification (1–5) :
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Bernard Hinault (FRA) | Renault–Elf–Gitane | 25 |
| 2 | Dominique Arnaud (FRA) | Puch–Wolber–Campagnolo | 16 |
| 3 | Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle (FRA) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 12 |
| 4 | Willy Teirlinck (BEL) | Boston–Mavic | 11 |
| 5 | Phil Anderson (AUS) | Peugeot–Esso–Michelin | 10 |
| 5 | Pierre Bazzo (FRA) | La Redoute–Motobécane | 10 |

## Aftermath

The 1981 Tour de France is seen as the year in which the globalization of the Tour became important. Before that most cyclists came from France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands, with only occasional successes by other European cyclists. Anderson was the first non-European cyclist to lead the Tour de France, and more would follow in the coming years. The plans to make the Tour de France open to amateurs were not forgotten, and it happened in 1983.
Anderson would again wear the yellow jersey in the next year, when he also won the young rider classification.
Hinault won five stages as reigning world champion. It had happened before that a cyclist won a Tour stage as a world champion, most recently in 1979 with Gerrie Knetemann and in 1980 with Jan Raas, but after 1981 it became a rare occurrence. The next time that this happened was in 2002 with Óscar Freire, and after that in 2011 with Thor Hushovd.
Maertens who also won five stages would make his comeback year complete by winning the 1981 UCI Road World Championships later that year, but after that never reached his 1981 level again.
Jacques Boyer became the first American to ride in the Tour de France, acting as a domestique for Hinault.