Former cycling rivals Leontien van Moorsel and Jeannie Longo have officially ended their decades-long feud during a meeting near Grenoble featured in the final episode of the Dutch sports history program Andere Tijden Sport.
The intense rivalry reached its peak during the final stage of the 1992 Tour Cycliste Féminin on the slopes of Alpe d'Huez.
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Van Moorsel defended a nine-second general classification lead by strictly riding in Longo's wheel and refusing to take turns at the front.
The clash between the two cyclists stemmed from opposite personalities and early encounters dating back to the 1989 Tour Féminin.
Van Moorsel debuted as a 19-year-old against the established French star.
Longo recalled the icy dynamic during their early years in the professional peloton.
"Finally I see your human side," said Longo during their emotional reunion.
She expressed relief, noting that she shared similar human qualities.
"And believe me: I have one too," said Longo.
Longo remembered feeling completely isolated during that era, both from her young Dutch rival and from a conservative French cycling establishment that held hostile views toward female racers.
"She didn't speak a word to me," said Longo.
She added that the cold atmosphere made her feel targeted within the sport.
"We had no bond at all, she didn't seem to like me. It felt like she was my enemy and looked down on me," said Longo.
Van Moorsel clarified that language barriers and intense race environments shaped those early interactions rather than personal malice.
