Maurice Archambaud
Encyclopedia
Maurice Archambaud was a French
professional cyclist from 1932 to 1944. His short stature earned him the nickname
of le nabot, or "the dwarf", but colossal thighs made him an exceptional rider.
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.
He set the world hour record
at 45,767 km at the Vigorelli velodrome
in Milan
on 3 November 1937. He beat the Dutchman, Frans Slaats
' record of 45.485 km, set on 29 September 1937. The distance stood
five years before being beaten by Fausto Coppi
.
Archambaud rode for France in the Tour de France
between the wars. Sudden changes of form and his frequent falls meant that he never won but he did win nine stages and wear the yellow jersey
.
He won a shorter stage race, Paris–Nice, in 1936 and 1939.
1933
1935
1936
1937
1939
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
professional cyclist from 1932 to 1944. His short stature earned him the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
of le nabot, or "the dwarf", but colossal thighs made him an exceptional rider.
He won Paris-Soissons and Paris-Verneuil as an amateur in 1931 and turned professional the following year for Alcyon
Alcyon
The Alcyon was a French bicycle, automobile and motorcycle manufacturer between 1890 and 1957.- Origins :Alcyon originated from about 1890 when Edmond Gentil started the manufacture of bicycles in Neuilly, Seine. In 1902, this was complemented by motorcycle production and in 1906, the first cars...
, one of the top teams in France. He won the inaugural Grand Prix des Nations
Grand Prix des Nations
The Grand Prix des Nations was an individual time trial for professional racing cyclists. Held annually in France, it was instituted in 1932 and often regarded as the unofficial time trial championship of the world and as a Classic cycle race. The race was the idea of a Parisian newspaper editor...
in his first season.
He set the world hour record
Hour record
The hour record for bicycles is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle. There are several records. The most famous is for upright bicycles meeting the requirements of the Union Cycliste Internationale . It is one of the most prestigious in cycling...
at 45,767 km at the Vigorelli velodrome
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
on 3 November 1937. He beat the Dutchman, Frans Slaats
Frans Slaats
Frans Slaats was a Dutch professional cyclist who broke the world hour record....
' record of 45.485 km, set on 29 September 1937. The distance stood
five years before being beaten by Fausto Coppi
Fausto Coppi
Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions...
.
Archambaud rode for France 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...
between the wars. Sudden changes of form and his frequent falls meant that he never won but he did win nine stages and wear the yellow jersey
Yellow jersey
The general classification in the Tour de France is the most important classification, the one by which the winner of the Tour de France is determined. Since 1919, the leader of the general classification wears the yellow jersey .-History:...
.
He won a shorter stage race, Paris–Nice, in 1936 and 1939.
Major victories
1932- Grand Prix des NationsGrand Prix des NationsThe Grand Prix des Nations was an individual time trial for professional racing cyclists. Held annually in France, it was instituted in 1932 and often regarded as the unofficial time trial championship of the world and as a Classic cycle race. The race was the idea of a Parisian newspaper editor...
: winner
1933
- Tour de France1933 Tour de FranceThe 1933 Tour de France was the 27th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 23, 1933. It consisted of 23 stages over 4,395 km, ridden at an average speed of 29.818 km/h....
:- Winner stages 1 and 11
- 5th overall
- 9 days in the yellow jerseyYellow jerseyThe general classification in the Tour de France is the most important classification, the one by which the winner of the Tour de France is determined. Since 1919, the leader of the general classification wears the yellow jersey .-History:...
1935
- Tour de France1935 Tour de FranceThe 1935 Tour de France was the 29th Tour de France, taking place July 4 to July 28, 1935. It consisted of 21 stages over 4,338 km, ridden at an average speed of 30.650 km/h. Although the French team was favourite, Belgian Romain Maes took the lead in the first stage, and never gave it away...
:- Winner stages 5A and 14B
- 7th overall
- Giro d'Italia1935 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1935 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 18 May to 9 June 1935. It was won by the Italian Vasco Bergamaschi. This 23rd edition covered 3,577 km at an average speed of 31.363 km/h, for a total of 18 stages....
:- Winner stage 14B
- Paris-Caen
- Six daysSix-day racingA six or six-day is a track cycling race that lasts six days. Six-day races started in Britain, spread to many regions of the world, were brought to their modern style in the United States and are now mainly a European event. Initially, individuals competed alone, the winner being the individual...
of Paris - GP de l'Echo d'Alger
1936
- Tour de France1936 Tour de FranceThe 1936 Tour de France was the 30th Tour de France, taking place July 7 to August 2, 1936. It was composed of 21 stages with a total length of 4,418 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.108 km/h. Because of health problems, Henri Desgrange stopped as Tour director, and was succeeded by...
:- Winner stage 4
- 5 days in the yellow jersey.
- Paris–Nice
1937
- Tour de France1937 Tour de FranceThe 1937 Tour de France was the 31st Tour de France, taking place June 30 to July 25, 1937. It consisted of 20 stages with a total length of 4415 km, ridden at an average speed of 31.768 km/h....
:- Winner stage 2
- Hour recordHour recordThe hour record for bicycles is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle. There are several records. The most famous is for upright bicycles meeting the requirements of the Union Cycliste Internationale . It is one of the most prestigious in cycling...
- Giro della provincia Milano (with Aldo BiniAldo BiniAldo Bini was an Italian road bicycle racer. He was born in Montemurlo.-Major results:1935- External links :* * *...
)
1939
- Tour de France1939 Tour de FranceThe 1939 Tour de France was the 33rd Tour de France, taking place from 10 to 30 July 1939. The total distance was 4,224 km and the average speed of the riders was 31.986 km/h....
:- Winner stages 10B, 10C, 12B and 17B
- Paris–Nice