Maurice Archambaud
Maurice Archambaud (30 August 1906 in Paris – 3 December 1955 in Le Raincy[1]) was a French professional cyclist from 1932 to 1944. His short stature earned him the nickname of le nabot, or "the dwarf", but his colossal thighs made him an exceptional rider.
 Maurice Archambaud during the Tour de France 1932 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maurice Archambaud |
| Nickname | Le Nabot |
| Born | August 30, 1906 Paris, France |
| Died | December 3, 1955 (aged 49) Le Raincy, France |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Major wins | |
| 10 stages Tour de France Paris–Nice (1939) | |
He won Paris-Soissons and Paris-Verneuil as an amateur in 1931 and turned professional the following year for Alcyon, one of the top teams in France. He won the inaugural Grand Prix des Nations in his first season.[2]
He set the world hour record at 45.767 km at the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan on 3 November 1937.[3] He beat the Dutchman, Frans Slaats' record of 45.485 km, set on 29 September 1937.[4] The record stood for five years before being beaten by Fausto Coppi.
Archambaud rode for France in the Tour de France between the wars. His sudden changes of form and frequent falls meant that he never won the race, but he did win nine stages[1] and wear the yellow jersey.
He won a shorter stage race, Paris–Nice, in 1936 and 1939.[5]
Major results
- 1932
- Grand Prix des Nations: winner
- 1933
- Tour de France:
- Winner stages 1 and 11
- 5th overall
- 9 days in the yellow jersey
- 1935
- Tour de France:
- Winner stages 5A and 14B
- 7th overall
- Giro d'Italia:
- Winner stage 14B
- Paris-Caen
- Six days of Paris
- GP de l'Echo d'Alger
- 1936
- Tour de France:
- Winner stage 4
- 5 days in the yellow jersey.
- Paris–Nice
- 1937
- Tour de France:
- Winner stage 2
- Hour record
- Giro della provincia Milano (with Aldo Bini)
- 1939
- Tour de France:
- Winner stages 10B, 10C, 12B and 17B
- Paris–Nice
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-11-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-17. Retrieved 2008-11-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2008-11-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Match, France, issue 599, 9 November 1937
- http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cy/profiles/2357.html
External links
- Maurice Archambaud at Cycling Archives
- Maurice Archambaud – official Tour de France results (archive)
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frans Slaats |
UCI hour record (45.767 km) 3 November 1937-7 November 1942 |
Succeeded by Fausto Coppi |