| Faber Adds Paris-Roubaix to His Palmares
The 18th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, March 23, 1913.
SPECIAL NOTE: the finishing distance at Roubaix Velodrome was changed from six laps to three laps to manage the increased number of riders finishing at the same time.
At the end of P-R 1912 Luxembourger Francois “the Giant of Colombes” Faber, disappointed with his results angrily proclaimed: “I will return and wipe out this outrage.”
SPECIAL NOTE: * a bit of political controversy presented itself when the Mayor of Amiens tried to modify the race route through the city. The P-R officials disagreed and threatened to remove Amiens completely from the route. Supported by the citizens, the City Council overruled the mayor. The race proceeded as scheduled.
When the starter's flag dropped at 7:34 am Octave Lapize immediately attacked. The early pace of the race flew through the forest of St-Germain en Laye at great speed. Faber took over the pacesetting and led the single file peloton in a straight line.
Race Status:
At the control station in Beauvais (75 km / 265 km), a group of 39 riders rushed to the checkpoint to sign the control sheets. Four minutes later a second group led by Faber arrived.
The peloton's rapid arrival at the control station saw numerous crashes. Defending champion Charles Crupelandt suffered a hard fall and injured his knee. In considerable pain he remounted and shouted: “you cannot abandon in P-R!”
At Amiens * (135 km / 265 km), the lead group had 23 riders. The fast pace continued with the elite riders watching each other closely.
After struggling on the Doullens hill (167 km / 265 km), Faber began to feel stronger. His pace increased.
Through Arras (200 km / 265 km), at high speed the breakaway arrived an hour ahead of schedule, police had to scramble to avoid congestion in the city.
Charles Deruyter (Peugeot) Louis Leguet (Automoto, 18 years old), Jules Masselis (Alcyon), Louis Mottiat (Alcyon), Joseph Vandaele (J.B. Louvet), Arthur Martens (La Francaise), Crupelandt (La Francaise), and August Benoit (La Francaise) were off the front of the peloton. Faber with Oscar Egg (Sui) joined the leaders just before the tough cobbled sections.
On the cobbled sections of Henin-Lietard (232 km / 265 km), Faber began to control a 5-rider breakaway.
In Seclin (251 km / 265 km), Vandaele and Mottiat caught the five leaders. The final selection was formed.
As they approached the velodrome sleet began to fall making the finish difficult. The lead group accelerated onto the track, led by Charles Deruyter (Bel). The Belgian drove a very fast speed through the final lap. Frans Faber (Lux) surged out of the final corner and passed Deruyter to take a narrow victory.
Jubilantly Francois Faber (Lux) added the prestigious Paris-Roubaix to his impressive list of palmares (victories).
SPECIAL NOTE: sadly, in May 1915 two years after this grand victory, Faber, who had joining the French Foreign Legion during the First World War, was shot and killed while carrying an injured colleague off the battlefield.
P-R March 23, 1913 |
265 Km, Chatou (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome - Rue Verte, Criox)
|
1.
Francois FABER (Lux)
7h30'02" |
2.
Charles Deruyter (Bel) |
3.
Charles Crupelandt (Fra) |
Starters: 165 / Finishers: 92 Average Speed: 35.333 km/h |
|
P-R 1912
P-R 1914
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