Andre Mahe video...

Last month I posted about the passing of Andre Mahe, winner of Paris-Roubaix in 1949. I found this little video with footage and interviews. It is in French, naturally, and my eighth grade French just does not do me any good. However, the race footage is pretty fun.

Mahé et Coppi, co-vainqueurs du Paris-Roubaix 1949 - wideo
Reportage de Jean-Luc Douchet et Patrick Duluc.

Mots-clés : mahé coppi paris roubaix cyclisme 1949

Video de f3npdcem

Andre Mahe, 1949 Paris-Roubaix victor...

Well before my time, but what a fascinating story - the 1949 edition of Paris-Roubaix. Misdirected away from the Roubaix Velodrome entrance with victory that close his wheels could have slipped on it. Mahe with two break-away companions, Jacques Moujica and Frans Leenen had to enter the velodrome via a back door and still managed  to finish first. However the judges citing the controversial finish awarded the win to the first rider to enter the velodrome via the correct route. The decision was argued back and forth until eventually dual victors were declared. Mahe and Serse Coppi, and so the books record it. Leaves me wanting to read more about this man's life and racing career. Velo News link, Wikipedia biography link with results and more to the 1949 story.

Andre Mahe, 1919-2010. Rest in Peace.