BRUSSELS — Raymond Poulidor, the “eternal runner-up” whose repeated failure to win the Tour de France helped him conquer French hearts and become the country’s all-time favorite cyclist, has died. He was 83.

Over his 17-year-career, Poulidor — who was nicknamed “Poupou” — secured a record eight podium finishes at the Tour de France, cycling’s showpiece event, but could never reach Paris in the famed yellow tunic worn by the race leader after each stage.

Poulidor died early Wednesday in his hometown of Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat, in central France, according to town officials.

“I was unlucky, but the bike brought me more than it cost me,” he once said, summing up his career.