| Gijssels Wins a 'Flanders/Paris-Roubaix' Double
The 33rd edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on March 27, 1932.
1932 Tour of Flanders winner Romain Gijssels (Dilecta) started Paris-Roubaix at the height of his racing career. But the race would be controlled by the aggressive French teams.
The race rolled off from the Porte Maillot, Paris at a cautious pace.
Race Status:
Belgian Romain Gijssels suffered the race’s first mishap in Pontoise (30 km / 255 km), when he broke his “freewheel” and was stuck in a huge 47x16 gear. Gijssels’ team manager refused to change the wheel. *
At the feed station in Amiens (132 km / 260 km), confusion reigned and a regrouping at the front of the race occurred.
Over the top of the Doullens hill (160 km / 255 km), a select group formed with Leopold Roosemont (Alcyon), Jules Merviel (Lutetia), and Joseph Mauclair (Lutetia). Marcel Bidot (Alcyon) completed a hard chase and joined the breakaway.
In Arras (195 km / 260 km), Bidot’s breakaway held a 50” lead on a 16-rider chase group.
Through the cobbled sections Bidot excelled. His lead seemed to assure his gap would hold.
Four Belgians used relentless pressure and brought Bidot back to the group.
Just past Lesquin (240 km / 255 km), disaster hit the Frenchman. He stopped for a puncture and immediately after the tire-change another puncture ended Bidot’s chances for victory.
Herbert SieronskI (Oscar Egg) led Alfons Schepers (La Francaise), Romain Gijssels (Dilecta), Georges Ronsse (La Francaise), and Jean Aerts (Bel) into Roubaix.
Belgian sprinter Georges Ronsse opened the sprint up early on the Avenue des Villas in Roubaix. Ronsse held the lead until from the back of the group, Romain Gijssels executed a well-timed sprint and powered a huge gear * to claim a very close sprint.
SPECIAL NOTE: * remember Gijssels’ team manager who refused to change the wheel 30 km into the race.
The finish was so close race officials huddled for a half hour to properly determine the finishing order. After the long delay the finish judge declared Romain Gijssels the victor.
Romain Gijssels
P-R March 27, 1932 |
255 Km, Porte Maillot Paris to Roubaix (Ave des Villas)
|
1.
Romain GIJSSELS (Bel) 6h49'58” |
2.
Georges Ronsse (Bel) |
3.
Herbert Sieronski (Ger) |
Starters: 129 / Finishers: 69 Average Speed: 37.320 km/h |
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P-R 1931
P-R 1933
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