| The “Black Eagle's” Return
The 41st edition of Paris-Roubaix was held on Sunday, April 25, 1943.
The tensions of the military occupation in France had eased by the end of 1942 and racing was allowed to return to the northern zone. The French riders dominated the hundred and twenty riders on the start list at the departure in St. Denis (a suburb north of Paris).
SPECIAL NOTE: Organizers moved the finish line from the 1939 finish on the Avenue Gustave Delory to the NEW Roubaix Velodrome (officially Vélodrome André-Pétrieux) in 1943.
Race Status:
The French riders controlled the early kilometers, but when the cobbled sections of the “northern section” began the Belgian's came to the fore.
By Laigneville (41 km / 250 km), a nine-rider breakaway managed to escape the peloton.
At the control point in Amiens (118 km / 250 km), punctures reduced the lead group to eight-riders.
On the Doullens Hill (153 km / 250 km), the race came alive. The French controlled peloton began a hard chase.
However, 'one by one' the French riders crashed, punctured, or had mechanical problems as the Belgians pushed the pace.
When the race came to the cobbled sections north of Arras (212 km / 250 km), Belgians, led by Marcel Kint (Mercier), Odiel Van der Meerschaut (Mercier), and Albert Sercu (Dilecta), took control of the race.
Crossing the tough cobbles of Henin-Lietard (Beaumont) (234 km / 250 km), Marcel Kint led a sixteen-rider lead group into the closing kms.
When the race entered Roubaix only seven riders remained in the breakaway. Jules Lowie (Mercier) entered the velodrome first followed by Kint (Mercier) and Louis Thietard (Metropole).
Pushing a huge gear (49 x 17) powerful Marcel “the Black Eagle” Kint (1938 World Champion) easily defeated Belgian teammate Jules Lowie and Frenchman Louis Theitard for the Paris-Roubaix victory.
SPECIAL NOTE: After winning the 250 km race Kint rode his bike another 25 kms to his home in Zwevegem, Belgium.
P-R April 25, 1943 |
250 Km, St. Denis (north of Paris) to Roubaix (Velodrome)
|
1.
Marcel KINT (Bel) 6h01'32” |
2.
Jules Lowie (Bel) |
3.
Louis Thietard (Fra) |
Starters: 120 / Finishers: 52 Average Speed: 41.822 km/h |
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P-R 1939 P-R 1944
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