| Frenchman's Controversial Win
The 37th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 12, 1936.
SPECIAL NOTE: Political tensions of the time were evident across Europe:
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France was paralyzed by striking unions,
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Spain was plunged into civil war,
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In Germany and Italy the rise of fascism was evident,
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Adolf Hitler was pushing his ‘Aryan race’ at the Olympic Games in Berlin.
As tensions expanded throughout Europe, the start of Paris-Roubaix gave France a break from the tensions of the political times.
The race started in heavy rain. Offering difficult racing conditions, the rain, muddy roads, and cold temperatures did not discourage 155 riders that took the start in Porte Maillot Paris.
The powerful Belgian teams drove a brutal pace, attacking relentlessly in the early kilometers.
Race Status:
From Cormeilles (30 km / 262 km) to Beauvais (68 km / 262 km), the aggressive pace created an eight-rider breakaway group.
At the control station in Amiens (130 km / 255 km), an attentive ‘hard chasing’ peloton brought back the escapees.
On the cobbles north of Arras (202 km / 255 km), 3-time P-R champion George Rebry (Bel) entered roads perfectly suited to Belgians! He broke away but seven contenders joined the attack.
The group thinned through the tough cobbled sections.
The two Belgians kept the pressure on through the closing kms. The final selection became three riders, George Rebry (Alcyon), Romain Maes (Labor), and Frenchman George Speicher (Alcyon).
Speicher survived the late pressure and entered the Hippodrome (horse racing track)with both Belgians. 40,000 fans roared their approval to see Speicher in the breakaway.
Romain Maes and Speicher pushed to the finish line with Maes, the apparent winner. The huge Flemish group roared when Maes finished first. (?)
Maes appears to have beaten Speicher?
A few minutes after the finish, controversy erupted when the finish line judge announced Speicher the winner. Flemish fans were outraged, but the results stood.
George Speicher added Paris-Roubaix to his 1933 Tour de France victory and 1933 World Road Race Championship.
P-R April 12, 1936 |
262 Km, Porte Maillot Paris to Marcq (Flanders Horse Track)
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1.
George SPEICHER (Fra) 7h15'01” |
2.
Romain Maes (Bel) |
3.
Gaston Rebry (Bel) |
Starters: 155 / Finishers: 40 Average Speed: 36.136 km/h |
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P-R 1935
P-R 1937
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