| Lapize Times Three
The 16th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 16, 1911.
Two-time defending champion Octave Lapize (La Francaise) came to Paris-Roubaix with great ambitions. An unprecedented 3rd consecutive victory was on the line.
SPECIAL NOTE: In recent years, riders have repeatedly been victims of nail attacks on the road, and nails have even been found in entourage car tires. Two bicycle manufacturers offered a 3,000-franc bonus to anyone who helped identify the bandits. *
Tumultuous political affairs of 1911 affected the mood in France:
The Champagne Riots of 1911, angry small vineyards of northern France raided cellars, smashed bottles, and rolled barrels into rivers.
The accidental death of the France’s new Minister of War, Henri Maurice Berteaux, a member of the Radical-Socialist Party, at the Paris-Madrid air show race.
The theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris.
Tensions leading to WW1 were beginning with Agadir Crisis (the 2nd Moroccan Crisis), which was a diplomatic quarrel between France and Germany. This clash had wider implications throughout the other European countries.
In Chatou 120 riders started the race. The favorites were content to set a slow early pace, waiting until the later stages of the race to attack.
Race Status:
On the of the Doullens Hill (167 km / 266 km), the traditional launching pad a decisive attack, provided a nine-riders breakaway to form. The peloton thinned with multiple riders and even a motorist suffering punctures. The offenders were NOT found. * No bonus was paid.
At control station in Arras (214 km / 266 km), Lapize, Gustave Garrigou (Alcyon), and Cyrille Van Hauwaert (La Francaise) led the breakaway. 1907 P-R champion Georges Passerieu trailed by 7’00”, and a trio of Henri Pelissier, Francois Faber, and Louis Trousselier 9’00” behind the breakaway.
Through the mining section of northern France (245 km / 266 km), Lapize and Van Hauwaert took full control of the race. Their breakaway companions could not match the increased pace.
At the velodrome fan anticipated a re-match of the 1910 two-rider sprint. However, on the road through Ascq (10 km to the finish), disaster struck Van Hauwaert, when the Belgian punctured his rear tire. Lapize rode away.
While Van Hauwaert made repairs to his tire, teammate Alfonse Charpiot (La Francaise) caught the Belgian. The duo rode to the finish together.
Octave Lapize rolled into the velodrome and after completing his six laps easily claiming his record setting third consecutive Paris-Roubaix victory.
P-R April 16, 1911 |
266 Km, Chatou (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome - Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1. Octave LAPIZE (Fra) 8h29'10" |
2. Andre Charpiot (Fra) +4'15" |
3. Cyrille Van Hauwaert (Bel) +4'50" |
Starters: 120 / Finishers: 59 Average Speed: 31.345 km/h |
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P-R 1910
P-R 1912
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