| “Little Chimney Sweep” Times 2
The 3rd edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 10, 1898.
With the popularity of P-R the organizers moved the start of the race to Chatou (west of Paris). The race rolled off at 7 am from the new start line.
SPECIAL NOTE: An innovation for Paris-Roubaix: organizers instituted “motorized pacers” to assist the riders along the difficult parcours of the course.
Defending champion Maurice “the Little Chimney Sweep” Garin (Fra) returned to prove his victory in 1897 was no accident.
Garin rode with all the early attacks before taking the lead for good.
Race Status:
On the road to Breteuil (111 km / 268 km), rode away from the lead group. Through the Town his advantage was 1’00”.
In Amiens (142 km / 268 km), the lead grew to 4’00”.
On the Doullens hill (172 km / 268 km), the lead was 10’00”.
Passing through Arras (200 km / 268 km), with the worst cobbled sections to come, Garin’s lead was 20’00”. He would not be caught.
When Garin entered Roubaix Velodrome, he was greeted with an enormous ovation. Maurice Garin, tired and covered with mud, crossed the finish line more than 29 minutes ahead of second place Auguste Stephane (Fra).
SPECIAL NOTE: In addition to winning P-R twice Maurice Garin’s distinguished career included prestigious victories in the Tour de France 1903 (the first edition), Paris-Brest-Paris (1901), and Bordeaux-Paris (1902). BUT later in life Garin said: “this P-R 1898 victory was greatest day of his career!”
Maurice “the Little Chimney Sweep” Garin
SPECIAL NOTE: The Paris-Roubaix organizers ran a motorcycle race on the same day and on the course as the bicycle race. The winner of the motorcycle race finished in 7 hours and 29 minutes. Maurice Garin, the bicycle winner, finished the brutal course in 8 hours 13 minutes, only 44 minutes slower than the motorized two-wheeler.
P-R April 10, 1898 |
268 Km, Chatou (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1. Maurice GARIN (Fra) 8h13'16" |
2. Auguste Stephane (Fra) +29'32" |
3. Edouard Wattelier (Fra) +33'52" |
Starters: 34 / Finishers: 18 Average Speed: 32.599 km/h |
|
P-R 1897
P-R 1899
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