1929 TDF The bad luck day of almost Tour winner Victor Fontan
Stage 10: Thursday, July 11, Luchon - Perpignan, 323 km
Major ascents: Portet d'Aspet, Port, Puymorens
VICTOR FONTAN became leader after the 9thstage in the 1929 Tour de France - almost 10 minutes ahead of the later winner Maurice De Waele. It was thought Victor Fontan was going to win the 1929 Tour, but then he broke his forks in the Pyrenees. He dropped out after knocking at doors at night to ask for another bicycle. His plight led to a change of rules to prevent it happening again. He was also one of the riders - three until 2019 - who all wore the yellow jersey of leadership on the same day they fell out.
Victor Fontan (1892-1982) was a French cyclist and became a professional in 1923 at the age of 31. He won in 1926 and in 1927 the Tour of Catalonia. Also in 1927 he won the Tour of the Basque Country. Fontan won 2 stages in the Tour de France of 1928.
He ended his career at the age of 38 in 1930.
(picture by X)
1929 TDF The bad luck day of almost Tour winner Victor Fontan
Stage 10: Thursday, July 11, Luchon - Perpignan, 323 km
Major ascents: Portet d'Aspet, Port, Puymorens
VICTOR FONTAN became leader after the 9thstage in the 1929 Tour de France - almost 10 minutes ahead of the later winner Maurice De Waele. It was thought Victor Fontan was going to win the 1929 Tour, but then he broke his forks in the Pyrenees. He dropped out after knocking at doors at night to ask for another bicycle. His plight led to a change of rules to prevent it happening again. He was also one of the riders - three until 2019 - who all wore the yellow jersey of leadership on the same day they fell out.
Victor Fontan (1892-1982) was a French cyclist and became a professional in 1923 at the age of 31. He won in 1926 and in 1927 the Tour of Catalonia. Also in 1927 he won the Tour of the Basque Country. Fontan won 2 stages in the Tour de France of 1928.
He ended his career at the age of 38 in 1930.
(picture by X)