| Lesna Again!
The 7th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, March 30, 1902.
Paris-Roubaix continued to grow in 1902, while the race gained in prestige among the top riders. A brutal rain greeted the fifty starters at the start line in Chatou.
Defending champion Lucien Lesna (Fra) used his great speed midway through the race to breakaway with Edouard Wattelier (Fra).
Race Status:
On the road to Beauvais (92 km into the race / 268 km), Lesna set a pace that only Wattelier could follow. The lead three-rider chase group included Claude Chapperon (Fra), Jules Sales (Bel), and Emile "Louis" Pagie (Fra).
In Amiens (154 km / 268 km), a huge crown greeted the rides. The two leaders signed the control sheet 3’00” ahead of a hard charging Ambroise Garin (Fra).
On the Doullens hill (172 km / 268 km), the heavy rain caused both gutters of the road to fill with water. The large waterlogged crowd cheered wildly as the racers passed.
A. Garin’s chase began to slow, he now trailed by 4’00”.
The torrential rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the spectators, through every checkpoint a huge crowd cheered passionately.
Through Arras (200 km / 268 km), Wattelier showed signs of fatigue and Lesna took final control of the race.
Covered in mud from the brutal cobbled sections, Lesna rolled into the Roubaix Velodrome to a huge ovation. The sound of Le Marseillaise played for the victor. He rode happily over the final six laps of the track.
Defending champion Lucien Lesna (Fra) added a second consecutive P-R victory to his list of palmares.
Exhausted Edouard Wattelier (Fra) completed the race in second place 7’31” behind.
SPECIAL NOTE: Under the direction of the new management team led by Herni Desgrange the popularity of Paris-Roubaix continued to grow in 1902. The race was now rivaling the bigger Bordeaux-Paris as THE race to gain early season prestige. The bicycle industry began to offer various incentives to place high in the P-R results.
P-R March 30, 1902 |
268 Km, Chatou (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome - Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1. Lucien LESNA (Fra) 10h49'37" |
2. Edouard Wattelier (Fra) +7'31" |
3. Ambrosio Garin (Fra) +11'12" |
Starters: 50 / Finishers: 31 Average Speed: 28.088 km/h |
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P-R 1901
P-R 1903
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