| A Generational Confrontation but the Belgians Dominate… Again!
The 27th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926.
The 1926 racing season marked the emergence of a new crop of young riders. Paris-Roubaix proved to be a showdown between the “new boys” and the “old boys.”
After an aggressive early race, the elites came back together in the town of Amiens (132 km / 260 km).
Peloton regrouping in Amiens.
Race Status:
“Old Boy” Henri Pelissier (Dilecta) relentlessly attacked and escaped the peloton on the famous hill at Doullens (160 km / 270 km), Frenchman Marcel Colleu (J.B. Louvet) and four Belgians, including “New Boy” Gaston Rebry (Peugeot), were the only survivors of the attack.
Through the cobbled sections of Courrieres (236 km / 270 km), Pelissier punctured and lost contact with the lead group. Young Belgian Julien Delbecque (Armor) began to attack. One by one the elite riders faded in the closing kilometers. Only “New Boy” Gustave Van Slembrouck (J.B. Louvet) could hold his wheel.
Julien Delbecque’s strength made the win a formality. The young Belgian rode easily across the finish line for the Paris-Roubaix victory.
Gustave Van Slembroeck finished in second place with Gaston Rebry in third. The Belgian sweep of the podium was complete.
SPECIAL NOTE: At the age of 41 (!!!) Grand 'Old Boy' Eugene Christophe rode in his 14th and final P-R. He finished 44th.
P-R April 4, 1926 |
270 Km, Suresnes (west of Paris) to Roubaix (Ave des Villas)
|
1.
Julien DELBECQUE (Bel) 8h34'42” |
2.
Gustave Van Slembroeck (Bel) |
3.
Gaston Rebry (Bel) +58" |
Starters: 147 / Finishers: 86 Average Speed: 31.962 km/h |
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P-R 1925
P-R 1927
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