| Garin Holds on for Victory
The 2nd edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 18, 1897.
SPECIAL NOTE: An injury kept defending champion Josef Fischer (Ger) from starting the 1897 Paris-Roubaix.
Shortly after the starter's flag dropped at 6 am Dutchman Mathieu Cordang launched the first attack and opened a substantial gap.
Race Status:
Riding steadily Cordang (Ned) passed through the check points in St. Germain and Beauvais (86 km into the race / 280 km), 7’00” ahead of Michel Frederick (Sui) and 11’00” on Maurice Garin (Fra).
In Amiens (150 km / 280 km), Frederick began to close on the leader. The gap was less than 3’00”.
On the Doullens hill (179 km / 280 km), Frederick caught Cordang, while Garin, nicknamed the “Little Chimney Sweep,” trailed by 25’00”… with a ‘now or never’ response Garin increased his tempo.
A more patient Garin waited for the hard cobbled sections in the north. As Cordang rode steadily toward victory, Garin slowly closed the gap through the tough cobblestones.
In Arras (207 km / 280 km), Frederick reconnected with a tiring Cordang. Garin continued to close the gap.
Entering Seclin (249 km / 280 km), Cordang recovered and caught an unfortunate Frederick, who had collided with an errant citizen cyclist on the course. With a damaged bike he lost 7”00” quickly.
At Hem (270 km / 280 km), Garin’s late charge proved fruitful and got to Cordang’s wheel with the velodrome in sight.
A huge crowd saw local favorite Garin and Dutchman Cordang preparing to contest for the victory.
10,000 fans cheered wildly as the two entered the track for the 6-lap sprint to the finish.
Maurice Garin entering the velodrome
Garin led onto the track when Cordang slipped on the wet velodrome cement surface and immediately lost 100 meters. He recovered quickly and began a frantic pursuit of Garin.
The bell rang for the final lap, Cordang was closing quickly and trailed by only 30 meters. Tired and covered with mud, Garin summoned the energy for the final push and crossed the finish line only two meters ahead of Cordang.
Garin said after the race: "I won, but Cordang was the strongest!"
An unfortunate Michel Frederick (Sui) rolled in 14 minutes behind the winner in third place.
SPECIAL NOTE: Maurice Garin, an Italian who lived in France, owned a cycling shop in Roubaix, and rode for a local bicycle club.
P-R April 18, 1897 |
280 Km, Porte Maillot, Paris to Roubaix (Velodrome - Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1. Maurice GARIN (Fra) 9h57'21" |
2. Mathieu Cordang (Ned) |
3. Michel Frederick (Sui) +30'00" |
Starters: 32 / Finishers: 15 Average Speed: 28.124 km/h |
|
P-R 1896
P-R 1898
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