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By Barry Boyce,
CyclingRevealed Historian |
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Track Star Smashes the Average Speed Record
All was right for France in 1900. The World's Fair (International Exhibition) was playing in Paris and the second Olympic Games of the modern Era were hosted by France. But the good time did not extend to the organizers of Paris-Roubaix. On April 6, 1900 only 19 riders came to the start line.
The riders were few but talented. Former champion Maurice Garin trained extensively behind a moto-pacer in preparation for the race. Josef Fischer, P-R's first champion, was making a comeback to the top ranks of cycling, but came as Garin's main rival.
Race pace was brutal. Fischer had numerous punctures, Garin missed a railway crossing, but Emile Bouhours, unlucky in 1899, rode brilliantly into Roubaix velodrome. He gained the prestigious victory while smashing the course record by more than an hour. Fischer limped in for second place 10 minutes behind
| P-R April 16, 1900 |
| 268 Km, Saint-Germain, Paris to Roubaix (Rue Verte, Criox) |
1. Emile Bouhours (Fra) 7h10'30" |
2. Josef Fischer (Ger) |
3. Maurice Garin (Fra) |
Starters: 19 |
| Finishers: 10 |
Average Speed: 37.352 km/h |
SPECIAL NOTE: Several very bad motorcycle collisions during the 1900 race caused multiple injuries. The accidents convinced organizers to abandon the moto-pacers for 1901.
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5th Paris-Roubaix 1900 (France) 
