Gerhard Schönbacher
Encyclopedia
Gerhard Schönbacher is a former professional cyclist.
Schönbacher was a professional cyclist for nine seasons, and rode the UCI World Championships
seven times, but is mainly known for finishing last in the Tour de France
in two consecutive years.
, Schönbacher rode for the DAF team. Schönbacher lost a lot of time in the mountains, and after the 20th stage, he only had Philippe Tesnière behind him in the general classification. Tesnière had already finished last in the 1978 Tour de France
, so he was aware of the publicity associated with being the lanterne rouge
.
In the 21st stage, Tesnière therefore rode extra slow. The winner of the time trial, Bernard Hinault
, took 1 hour, 8 minutes and 53 seconds to cover the 48.8 km, Schönbacher used 1 hour, 21 minutes and 52 seconds, while Tesniere rode it in 1 hour, 23 minutes and 32 seconds; both were slower than all other cyclists. Tesnière's time was more than 20% slower than Hinault's, which meant that he had missed the time cut, and was taken out of the race.
In the final stage, the riders traditionally keep a slow pace, because the winner is already known, but in 1979 this was not the case, and Bernard Hinault
and Joop Zoetemelk
were still battling for the overall victory. A large group, including Schönbacher could not keep up with the pace, and finished seven minutes behind Hinault. When Schönbacher was near the finish, he stopped and kissed the road, before he crossed the finishline.
they added the rule that after some stages the last-placed cyclist in the general classification would be removed. Still, Schönbacher managed to finish last.
Before the Tour, Schönbacher was promised by his sponsor that he would receive extra money if finished in last place. After the last stage of the Tour, his team leader Patrick Lefevre told Schönbacher that he would not get the money, and after a heated discussion Schönbacher was fired.
, finishing 112 out of 121 cyclists. In 1985, Schönbacher was hit by a car in Australia, and had to end his professional career. He had a brief comeback in 1987, when he rode the 1987 UCI Road World Championships
for a private sponsor.
Schönbacher was a team leader of the Varta team from 1990 to 1994. In the second half of 1991, Schönbacher had a licence to ride as a professional, but he did not compete any races.
Later, Schönbacher became a race organizer, and organizes the mountainbike stage race Crocodile Trophy
in Australia.
After Schönbacher went 220 km/h, standing on skis on top of a car, this record was included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Schönbacher was a professional cyclist for nine seasons, and rode the UCI World Championships
UCI World Championships
The Union Cycliste Internationale organises UCI World Championships to determine world champion cyclists. These take place annually and are organized around nations rather than trade teams....
seven times, but is mainly known for finishing last in the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
in two consecutive years.
Biography
Schönbacher was born in Graz, Austria, on 25 January 1954. In 1977, he became a professional cyclist.1979 Tour de France
In the 1979 Tour de France1979 Tour de France
The 1979 Tour de France was the 66th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 22, 1979. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3765 km, with riders averaging 36.513 km/h. It was the only tour to finish at L'Alpe d'Huez twice. It was won by Bernard Hinault, who also won the points...
, Schönbacher rode for the DAF team. Schönbacher lost a lot of time in the mountains, and after the 20th stage, he only had Philippe Tesnière behind him in the general classification. Tesnière had already finished last in the 1978 Tour de France
1978 Tour de France
The 1978 Tour de France was the 65th Tour de France, taking place June 29 to July 23, 1978. The total race distance was 22 stages over 3908 km, with riders averaging 36.084 km/h...
, so he was aware of the publicity associated with being the lanterne rouge
Lanterne rouge
The Lanterne Rouge is the competitor in last place in a cycling race such as the Tour de France. The phrase comes from the French "Red Lantern" and refers to the red lantern hung on the caboose of a railway train, which conductors would look for in order to make sure none of the couplings had...
.
In the 21st stage, Tesnière therefore rode extra slow. The winner of the time trial, Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985...
, took 1 hour, 8 minutes and 53 seconds to cover the 48.8 km, Schönbacher used 1 hour, 21 minutes and 52 seconds, while Tesniere rode it in 1 hour, 23 minutes and 32 seconds; both were slower than all other cyclists. Tesnière's time was more than 20% slower than Hinault's, which meant that he had missed the time cut, and was taken out of the race.
In the final stage, the riders traditionally keep a slow pace, because the winner is already known, but in 1979 this was not the case, and Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault is a former French cyclist known for five victories in the Tour de France. He is one of only five cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours, and the only cyclist to have won each more than once. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985...
and Joop Zoetemelk
Joop Zoetemelk
Hendrik Gerardus Jozef "Joop" Zoetemelk is a retired professional racing cyclist from the Netherlands who has emigrated to France. He started the Tour de France 16 times and finished every time, a record. He won the race in 1980 and also came eighth, fifth, fourth and second...
were still battling for the overall victory. A large group, including Schönbacher could not keep up with the pace, and finished seven minutes behind Hinault. When Schönbacher was near the finish, he stopped and kissed the road, before he crossed the finishline.
1980 Tour de France
The Tour de France organisation did not like the attention that last-placed finishers got, so for the 1980 Tour de France1980 Tour de France
The 1980 Tour de France was the 67th Tour de France. The total distance was 3945.5 km over 22 stages, the average speed of the riders was 35.317 km/h....
they added the rule that after some stages the last-placed cyclist in the general classification would be removed. Still, Schönbacher managed to finish last.
Before the Tour, Schönbacher was promised by his sponsor that he would receive extra money if finished in last place. After the last stage of the Tour, his team leader Patrick Lefevre told Schönbacher that he would not get the money, and after a heated discussion Schönbacher was fired.
Later career
Schönbacher found a new team, Marc, and rode the 1981 Tour de France1981 Tour de France
The 1981 Tour de France was the 68th Tour de France, taking place June 25 to July 19, 1981. The total race distance was 24 stages over 3753 km, with riders averaging 38.96 km/h....
, finishing 112 out of 121 cyclists. In 1985, Schönbacher was hit by a car in Australia, and had to end his professional career. He had a brief comeback in 1987, when he rode the 1987 UCI Road World Championships
1987 UCI Road World Championships
The 1987 UCI Road World Championships took place in Villach, Austria. Stephen Roche completed the rare Triple Crown of Cycling, meaning he won the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, before winning the Men's Road Race. Before this was only achieved by Eddy Merckx in 1974.- Events summary :...
for a private sponsor.
Schönbacher was a team leader of the Varta team from 1990 to 1994. In the second half of 1991, Schönbacher had a licence to ride as a professional, but he did not compete any races.
Later, Schönbacher became a race organizer, and organizes the mountainbike stage race Crocodile Trophy
Crocodile Trophy
The Crocodile Trophy is an annual mountain bike ten day stage race held in North Queensland, Australia. The race typically covers around the over 10 stages and is known to be one of the most demanding mountain bike race in the world. The race is marked for the heat and the rough terrain of the...
in Australia.
After Schönbacher went 220 km/h, standing on skis on top of a car, this record was included in the Guinness Book of Records.