Jean Robic

Jean Robic Personal information Full name Jean Robic Date of birth June 10, 1921(1921-06-10) Date of death October 6, 1980(aged 59) Country FranceTeam information Discipline Road Role Rider Major wins 1947 Tour de France Infobox last updated on: May 24, 2008

Jean Robic (born June 10, 1921 in Vouziers (Champagne-Ardenne) – died October 6, 1980 ) was a French road racing cyclist, who won the 1947 Tour de France. A professional from 1943 to 1961 he died in a car accident near Claye-Souilly.

Robic is best known for winning the Tour de France in 1947, when he went against tradition and attacked the race leader, Pierre Brambilla, on the last day. Robic secured enough of an advantage by accelerating on the Côte de Bon Secours on leaving Rouen that he was able to secure overall victory when the race finished that day in Paris.

Robic was easily recognised for much of his career by the leather crash helmet that he wore, a precaution he took in a career notable for frequent crashes and injuries. The helmet won him the nickname of "tête de cuir", or leather-head; his short stature also brought him the nickname "Biquet", or "sonny".

His was not an easy personality and he won few friends with his bad language and easy temper. In 1959, Robic finished the Tour de France stage to Chalon-sur-Saône outside the time limit. The stage was won by the British rider, Brian Robinson, with an unusually large lead of 20 minutes. Other riders were required to finish the day within a set percentage of the winner's time and Robic didn't make it. Normally the judges would make an exception for a former winner but Robic's personality is said to have gone against him and he was put out of the race.

Robic found it hard to fit into ordinary life when his career ended. For a long time he went without work. At others, he tried stunts such as being the referee of professional wrestling bouts, where his shortness encouraged wrestlers to throw him out of the ring.

A fellow professional, André Mahé, said in Procycling in 2007 that Robic's personality and self-importance was such that he would stand in the doorway of a restaurant until all the diners had noticed him and then announce: "Oui! C'est moi - Robic!"

Sporting positions Preceded by
Sylvère Maes Winner of the Tour de France
1947 Succeeded by
Gino BartaliPreceded by
N/A World cyclo-cross champion
1950 Succeeded by
Roger Rondeaux