Conversation so far:
Who is Raphael Geminiani?
Raphael Geminiani had been Anquetil's rival as a rider.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Anquetil unfailingly beat Raymond Poulidor in the Tour de France and yet Poulidor remained the more popular.
Why did he remain more popular?
The Tour de France has the major fault of dividing the country, right down to the smallest hamlet, even families, into two rival camps.

Question: Why does it have such an effect?
Self-contained rewrite: Why does the Tour de France divide the country, even families, into two rival camps?