1919 Philippe Thys at the Brussels Six-days
PHILIPPE THYS (1889–1971) was a Belgian cyclist. "The Basset", as he was called, was a pro from 1912 to 1927.
He was the first rider to win the Tour de France three times, in 1913, 1914 and 1920. There would certainly have been more if the First World War had not deprived him of the best years of his cycling career, according to Henri Desgrange at the third Tour Ceremony of Thys in 1920.
Also in 1922 - 5 stage victories - he came close to the overall victory, but bad luck prevented that.
In his own words, he was one of the founders of the yellow jersey. His manager is said to have asked him to wear a jersey in that color so that the public could recognize him as leader of the standings. That was in 1914. Although there is no reason to doubt his words, the introduction of the yellow jersey dates back much later and the Frenchman Eugène Christophe was the first wearer in 1919.
Philippe Thys also won Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy in 1917. He was Belgian cyclo-cross champion in 1910. In 1921 he won the Criterium of the A's. In 1922 and 1923 he wrote his name on the honors list of Paris-Lyon.
Thys was able to win in the field, on the road and on the track. He proved this in 1919 when he won the Brussels Six Days with fellow countryman Marcel Dupuy.
1919 Philippe Thys at the Brussels Six-days
PHILIPPE THYS (1889–1971) was a Belgian cyclist. "The Basset", as he was called, was a pro from 1912 to 1927.
He was the first rider to win the Tour de France three times, in 1913, 1914 and 1920. There would certainly have been more if the First World War had not deprived him of the best years of his cycling career, according to Henri Desgrange at the third Tour Ceremony of Thys in 1920.
Also in 1922 - 5 stage victories - he came close to the overall victory, but bad luck prevented that.
In his own words, he was one of the founders of the yellow jersey. His manager is said to have asked him to wear a jersey in that color so that the public could recognize him as leader of the standings. That was in 1914. Although there is no reason to doubt his words, the introduction of the yellow jersey dates back much later and the Frenchman Eugène Christophe was the first wearer in 1919.
Philippe Thys also won Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy in 1917. He was Belgian cyclo-cross champion in 1910. In 1921 he won the Criterium of the A's. In 1922 and 1923 he wrote his name on the honors list of Paris-Lyon.
Thys was able to win in the field, on the road and on the track. He proved this in 1919 when he won the Brussels Six Days with fellow countryman Marcel Dupuy.