- Jean Robic
Infobox Cyclist
ridername = Jean Robic
fullname = Jean Robic
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date|1921|06|10
dateofdeath = death date and age|1980|10|06|1921|06|10
country = FRA
height =
weight =
currentteam =
discipline = Road
role = Rider
ridertype =
amateurteams =
amateuryears =
proyears =
proteams =
majorwins = 1947 Tour de France
updated =May 24 ,2008 Jean Robic (born
June 10 1921 inVouziers (Champagne-Ardenne ) – diedClaye-Souilly ,October 6 1980 ) was a Frenchroad racing cyclist , who won the1947 Tour de France . Robic was a professional cyclist from 1943 to 1961, and died in a car accident nearClaye-Souilly .Robic is best known for winning the Tour de France in 1947, when he went against tradition and attacked the race leader,
Pierre Brambilla , on the last day. Robic secured enough of an advantage by accelerating on the Côte de Bon Secours on leaving Rouen that he was able to secure overall victory when the race finished that day in Paris.Robic was easily recognised for much of his career by the leather crash helmet that he wore, a precaution he took in a career notable for frequent crashes and injuries. The helmet won him the nickname of "tête de cuir", or leather-head; his short stature also brought him the nickname "Biquet", or "sonny".
His was not an easy personality and he won few friends with his bad language and easy temper. In 1959, Robic finished the Tour de France stage to
Chalon-sur-Saône outside the time limit. The stage was won by the British rider,Brian Robinson , with an unusually large lead of 20 minutes. Other riders were required to finish the day within a set percentage of the winner's time and Robic didn't make it. Normally the judges would make an exception for a former winner but Robic's personality is said to have gone against him and he was put out of the race.Robic found it hard to fit into ordinary life when his career ended. For a long time he went without work. At others, he tried stunts such as being the referee of professional wrestling bouts, where his shortness encouraged wrestlers to throw him out of the ring.
A fellow professional,
André Mahé , said in "Procycling " in 2007 that Robic's personality and self-importance was such that he would stand in the doorway of a restaurant until all the diners had noticed him and then announce: "Oui! C'est moi - Robic!"Palmarès
;1945:FRA national cyclo-cross championship;1947:Critérium International de cyclo-cross:Tour de France:::Winner stages 4, 7 and 15:: Winner overall classification;1948:A Travers Lausanne;1949:Tour de France:::Winner stage 11::4th place overall classification;1950:flagiconUCI World Championship cyclo-cross:Roma-Napoli-Roma;1952:Bol d'or des Monédières Chaumeil:Polymultipliée:Etten-Leur:Tour de France:::Winner stage 15::5th place overall classification;1953:Tour de France:::Winner stage 11
External links
*
* [http://www.letour.fr/HISTO/TDF/riders/us/3011.html Official Tour de France results for Jean Robic]Persondata
NAME=Robic, Jean
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Road bicycle racer
DATE OF BIRTH=1921-06-10
PLACE OF BIRTH=Condé les Vouziers
DATE OF DEATH=1980-10-06
PLACE OF DEATH=Claye-Souilly
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
