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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian |
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Controversial Railway Crossing
The weather was rain, wind, snow, and cold temperatures. Only 107, out of the 135 announced, sign the start-sheet in Liege. By the halfway mark in Bastogne, snow covered roads hindered the race and 51 riders had abandoned. Frenchman Louison Bobet led a breakaway group, which includes Belgian Germain Derijcke. When the breakaway came to a level railroad crossing Bobet led Derijcke under the closed crossing.
Three time Tour de France champion Louison Bobet escaped in a group of counter-attackers with Sante Ranucci, Angelo Miserocchi and Derijcke. But Bobet will experience one of the more terrifying days his career.
At 47 km to go, tormented by the cold, Bobet's body resigned to the pain. In the space of 20 km he concedes 20 minutes to Derijcke. A determined Frenchman refused to abandon the race. The proud Bobet rolled across the finish line 13 minutes after the winner in 9th place.
Germain Derijcke continued through the rain and snow to claim the victory.
Bobet leads Derijcke under the closed railway crossing [photo L'Equipe] |
Frans Schoubben (*) finished with Marcel Buys +2'46” behind Derijcke, but he lodged a protest, asserting that Derijcke, Bobet, Ranucci and Miserocchi passed under a closed railway crossing. The crossing is authorized in France and Italy but not in Belgium. After consideration the race officials relegated Derijcke and Schoubben was awarded the victory. Several days later Schoubben on the advice of his team officials withdrew his protest. Race officials rescinded Derijcke's relegation but made the decision to award Schoubben the classification equal with Derijcke.
| L-B-L May 5, 1957 |
| 256 Km |
1.
Germain DERIJCKE (Bel) 7h24'56" * |
1.
Frans SCHOUBBEN (Bel) * |
3.
Marcel Buys (Bel) +2'46" |
Starters:
135 (107 signed the start sheet) |
Finishers: 27 |
Average Speed: 34.521 km/h |
L-B-L 1956
L-B-L 1958
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