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The 22nd edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, March 27, 1921.
SPECIAL NOTE: The start area in 1921 became very congested, because of increased traffic and road construction, and the exit of the city became tough. P-R organizers instituted a “neutral zone” (a rolling procession). Registration/sign-in remained in Suresnes (depart fictif), but theactual start was 6 kms down the road in Chatou (depart réel).
35-year-old veteran Jules Masselis (Bel) dominated the early kilometers. He used the favorable tailwind to build a 9’00” lead. Romain Bellenger (Peugeot), Eugène Christophe (Individual), and the Pelissier brothers (J.B. Louvet) took over the chase in the peloton near Breteuil (111 km / 263 km).
Race Status:
On the traditional attacking zone, Henri Pelissier and his brother Francis used the famous hill at Doullens to shatter the peloton. Léon Scieur (La Francaise) and Hector Tiberghien (La Sportive) joined the breakaway. The new elite four rider breakaway controlled the front of the race.
The excellent and dry weather produced a new problem… DUST! The cloud of dust caused riders to have visual and breathing difficulties.
Through the mining area in Carvin (239 km / 263 km), Scieur became blinded by the dust and lost contact with the breakaway.
Scieur executed a brilliant chase and reconnected with the three leaders in Seclin (249 km / 263 km).
When the race arrived the final cobbled section at Hem, the brothers calculated the strength of the breakaway. They knew René Vermandel (Individual) was the fastest finisher and needed to be dropped. Francis and Henri took turns attacking the group. When Vermandel began to struggle and Henri delivered the winning attack.
Henri Pelissier rode solo into the Jean Dubrulle Stadium in Roubaix to a thunderous ovation and gained the P-R victory.
Francis escaped the chasing group but suffered a late puncture. Vermandel caught and passed him, but he suffered his own puncture. Both riders knew it was too late to stop and change the tire, the two crossed the finish line on flat tires.
Francis Pelissier rolled in to claim 2nd place. Leon Scieur (Bel) passed René Vermandel (Bel) at the finish line to earn third place.
P-R March 27, 1921 |
263 Km, Suresnes (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Jean-Dubrulle Stadium)
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1.
Henri PELISSIER (Fra) 9h02'30” |
2.
Francis Pelissier (Fra) +40 |
3.
Leon Scieur (Bel) +42 |
Starters: 130 / Finishers: 48 Average Speed: 29.068 km/h |
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P-R 1920
P-R 1922
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