Rivière, a time trialist, all-around talent on the road, and a three-time world pursuit champion on the track, lost his career to injury.

At 19 he beat Jacques Anquetil for the national pursuit championship at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

He turned professional in 1957, when he beat Albert Bouvet to win the world pursuit championship at Rocourt, Belgium.

On the advice of his team manager, Raphaël Géminiani, and his agent, Daniel Dousset, Rivière attempted Ercole Baldini's hour record on 18 September 1957 at the Vigorelli track in Milan.

He was still in national service in the army at Joinville, near Paris, although in a battalion which allowed the country's top athletes to train at public expense.

Pierre Chany wrote: Rivière thought the draught blowing through the stadium too strong and wanted to return to his hotel.

Rivière won the opening time trial but Anglade had the yellow jersey of leadership by day six.

Only a German, Hans Junkermann, Jean Adriaenssens of Belgium, and Gastone Nencini of Italy could stay with him.

Nencini was known as the fastest descender in the world, famous for his dangerous and risky trajectories, and Rivière tried to follow him.

He later sold the story of his drug use to a newspaper, admitting he had taken Palfium during the climb of the Perjuret, a painkiller that could have affected his reflexes and judgment.

In 1961, Miroir du Cyclisme republished an article originally written for Libre Santé by Rivière's friend and dietician, Clarisse Brobecker.

[10] Rivière admitted taking amphetamines and solucamphor during his hour record in 1958 – including tablets during the attempt.