Bordeaux-Paris

Cycling race infobox
name = Bordeaux-Paris
color = #AAD0FF


date =
region = France
english = Bordeaux-Paris
localnames = Bordeaux-Paris fr icon
nickname = Derby of the Road
discipline = Road
competition =
type = One-day
organiser =
director =
first = 1891
number = 86
last = 1988
firstwinner = flagicon|GBR George Pilkington Mills
mostwins = flagicon|BEL Herman Van Springel
(7 wins)
mostrecent = flagicon|FRA Jean-François RaultThe Bordeaux-Paris professional cycle race was one of Europe's Classic cycle races, and one of the longest in the professional calendar, covering approximately 560km (350 miles) - more than twice most single-day races. It started in northern Bordeaux in south-west France at 2am and finished in the capital Paris 14 hours later.

History

The event was first run in 1891, and the "Derby of the Road" as it was sometimes called, was notable in that riders were paced - allowed to slipstream - behind tandem or conventional cycles. From 1931, pacing was by motorcycles or small pedal-assisted Dernys. Pacing was also briefly by cars. In early events, pacing was provided from Bordeaux. In later events, it was introduced part-way towards Paris. From 1946 to 1985, more than half the distance was paced, Dernys being introduced at Poitiers or Chatellerault, roughly half-way.

The organisers of the inaugural event, Bordeaux Vélo Club, envisaged riders might take a few days, but the first edition was won in a continuous ride by George Pilkington Mills. Mills raced through the night to win the 600km long event in just over a day. Post-war winners include Louison Bobet (1959) and Jacques Anquetil (1965). The record for the most victories is held by Herman van Springel who won seven times between 1970 and 1981.

Last races

By this time, however, the race was beginning to lose prestige. It required special training and clashed with riders' plans to compete in the Vuelta a España or Giro d'Italia stage races. Fields began to dwindle and the last motor-paced version was 1985; three non-paced versions were held from 1986 but 1988 proved the last as a professional race.

Winners