Italians Celebrate!!!
The 38th edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, March 28, 1937.
SPECIAL NOTE: After a two-year “horse racetrack” hiatus the finish line returned to the traditional Avenue des Villas, which had been renamed Avenue Gustave Delory.
Young Italian Jules Rossi lined up for the 1937 Paris-Roubaix against the heavily favored Belgian superstars.
Race Status:
The early pace was aggressive, but the Alcyon driven peloton came back to the leaders entering the cobbles north of Arras (202 km / 255 km).
A group of eight riders launched a decisive attack on the cobbled section at Henin-Lietard (214 km / 255 km), and broke clear.
Numerous punctures and rider fatigue thinned the numbers in the lead group.
The surprise of the elite group was Jules Rossi (Thomann). The Italian was isolated in the breakaway with all Belgians, he realized there was only one chance to win… attack!
Rossi's effort only shed two riders, and the now five-rider breakaway flew into the finish in Roubaix. Rossi led 4 Belgian, Albert Hendrickx (Labor), Noël Declercq (A. Leducq), Emile Van de Pitte (Dilecta), and Aimé Lievens (Dilecta) onto the Avenue Gustave Delory.
The Italian led out the long sprint on the finishing straight with the Belgians poised and ready to finish the sprint. The inspired Italian proved to be too strong and crossed the finish line for the upset victory.
Grand Italian champions have contested P-R without a victory. Campionissimos Constane Girardengo and Alfredo Binda came to the cobbles of northern France but could not win. Jules Rossi became the first Italian to earn the P-R victory!
Jules Rossi, triumphantly carried by Italian tifosi.
SPECIAL NOTE: Jules Rossi's victory was so surprising the band did not have a copy of the Italian National Anthem. Rossi stood on the podium as something the band thought resembled the Italian Anthem (?) was played.
P-R March 28, 1937 |
262 Km, Porte Maillot Paris to Roubaix (Ave Gustave Delory *)
|
1.
Jules ROSSI (Ita) 7h17'57” |
2.
Albert Hendrickx (Bel) |
3.
Noel Declercq (Bel) |
Starters: 159 / Finishers: 50 Average Speed: 34.938 km/h |
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P-R 1936
P-R 1938
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