Charles Terront
| Charles Terront | |
|---|---|
Terront on the front page of "Le Petit Journal"
|
|
| Born |
25 April 1857 Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis, France |
| Died | 31 October 1932 (aged 75) Sainte-Marguerite-lès-Marseille |
| Nationality | French |
Charles Terront (9 April 1857 – 31 October 1932) was the first major French cycling star. He won sprint, middle distance and endurance events in Europe and the United States. In September 1891 he won the first Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race, which at 1,196 kilometres (743 mi) was more than double the length of any previous event. He rode a Humber bicycle fitted with prototype removable pneumatic tyres made by Michelin.
He won 54 major events over his 15-year career, was 'Champion of France' twice and 'Champion of Great Britain' twice.
Terront was born in Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis. He took up cycle racing in 1876 along with his brother Jules. Charles excelled at both endurance and speed events, and also won many events on a tandem with his brother Jules. He won 54 major solo events over his 15-year career, including being Champion of France twice and Champion of Great Britain twice.
In 1879 he covered 546.327 kilometres (339 mi) in 24 hours.
On 27 September 1893 he left Saint Petersburg in Russia to cycle 3,000 kilometres (1,864 mi) across Poland and Germany, arriving at the Vélodrome Buffalo in Paris after 14 days and 7 hours.
In 1894 he completed a ride from Rome, Italy, to Paris.
Pierre Giffard of Le Petit Journal created the Paris-Brest et retour cycle race in September 1891, describing it as an "épreuve", a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The response was so phenomenal that they had to charge 5 francs entrance as 300 riders signed up. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a 2-day ceremony, the 280 sealed machines included 10 tricycles, 2 Tandem bicycles, and 1 Penny-farthing. Participation was restricted to French men (7 women were refused entrance) and 99 of the 207 (or 280) participants finished.
...
Wikipedia