| Belgium's Cycling Tradition in Full Swing
The 13th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 19, 1908.
Belgian Cyrille Van Hauwaert, winner of Milan-San Remo two weeks earlier, came to Paris as the odds-on favorite to win, followed by defending P-R champion Georges Passerieu (Fra), Emile Georget (Fra), Lucien Petit-Breton (Fra), and 1905 P-R winner Louis Trousselier (Fra)
SPECIAL NOTE: Heavy rain fell in the north of France during the week before the race and made muddy roads "difficult to navigate". Thirty-four riders withdrew from the race prior to the start: out of 124 registered, only 90 riders took the start.
The race started in Chatou at 6:34 am, under rain, hail and then snow. The severe weather continued throughout the race.
Disregarding the weather conditions, the riders set a brutal pace once the starter’s flag dropped.
Through all the checkpoints the lead group was slowly dwindling in numbers.
Race Status:
Shortly after the start, on the climb in St-Germain en Laye (4 km into the race / 271 km), the first group broke away. The elite group was composed of Maurice Brocco (Individual), Gustave Garrigou (Peugeot), Georges Passerieu (Peugeot), Lucien Petit-Breton (Peugeot), Louis Trousselier (Alcyon), and Cyrille Van Hauwaert (Alcyon).
A peloton of thirty-nine riders regrouped in Pontoise (25 km / 271 km).
Passing through Beauvais, (75 km / 271 km), a sixteen-rider breakaway pulled away from the peloton.
Chasing hard from the peloton in Doullens (165 km / 271 km), Lucien Petit-Breton suffered an untimely puncture, lost additional time. He retired from the race.
On the climb of the Doullens hill (167 km / 271 km), Garrigou attacked and rode away solo for ten kilometers. He was joined by Francois Faber (Peugeot), Georges Lorgeou (La Francaise), Augustin Ringeval (Alcyon), Trousselier and Van Hauwaert. The group rode smoothly and opened a solid gap on the chasers.
Faber attacked the breakaway and passed through Douai (230 km / 271 km), with a 3’00” lead over Garrigou and Van Hauwaert. Behind Trousselier crashed and lost over 20’00”.
Faber began to weaken closing kms and his lead on Van Hauwaert decreased. The gap closed to 2’00” in Hem (4 km to the finish).
In Roubaix, only 150 meters from the entrance to the velodrome, Francois Faber’s victory seemed secure when he crashed heavily trying to avoid a child crossing the street. Bleeding profusely from a head contusion the fallen leader was passed by Van Hauwaert, who entered the velodrome first.
Cyrille Van Hauwaert’s entry onto the track met with great enthusiasm from the large contingent of Belgian fans. Carelessly, he hit a worker on the track and crashed. Unhurt he quickly recovered and completed the closing six laps to gain the 1908 P-R victory.
Still bleeding and exhausted from his 65 kms solo effort, Faber continued and entered the velodrome. While completing his closing 6 laps he fell again on a velodrome turn…!?!? Dazed and weaken from his misfortunes, Faber remained on the ground for several minutes. Riding steadily, Frenchman Georges Lorgeou (La Francaise) passed the fallen Faber and finished in second place.
To the delight of Belgian fans Van Hauwaert became the first Belgium winner of Paris-Roubaix.
P-R April 19, 1908 |
271 Km, Chatou (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome - Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1.
Cyrille VAN HAUWAERT (Bel)10hr34’25” |
2.
Georges Lorgeou (Fra)
+3'35" |
3.
Francois Faber (Lux)
+5'05" |
Starters: 90 / Finishers: 27 Average Speed: 25.630 km/h |
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P-R 1907
P-R 1909
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