Charles Pélissier

Charles Pélissier ( born February 20, 1903 in Paris, † May 28, 1959 ) was a French cyclist.

Charles Pélissier was the youngest of three brothers, all of which were successful as a racer and were considered enigmatic figures. 1926, 1927 and 1928 he became French champion in cyclo-cross races. Then he focused on the road racing, he was regarded as a sprinter. The French road championships he won in 1927 and 1930, second place. In 1933 he won the Critérium des As. He also started at eight Six Days: In 1930, he won the Paris together with Armand Blanchonnet. During the 144 hours continuous track racing but he could not eat anything, but to " feed " only of coffee.

His greatest successes achieved Pélissier at the Tour de France: The host 1930 he won eight stages, a record that was not surpassed until after 44 years of Eddy Merckx, four of them in a row, which again only Mario Cipollini succeeded him in 1999. Two stage victories were even deprived him one by one jostle with subsequent fight with the Italians Learco Guerra. Pélissier was ninth in the overall standings. The following year he won five stages and wore the yellow jersey long two stages ( a stage long together with Rafaele di Paco ).

Because of its spectacular solo in his good looks and was especially popular Charles Pélissier in France. It preferably wore white gloves and socks, which became fashionable, and therefore has received numerous epithets, such as " Brummel " or "Valentino".

1933 Charles Pelissier played the lead role in the movie " Record Du Monde ", which was a box office hit in France. The older brothers of Charles were the racing driver Henri and Francis Pélissier, another brother, Jean, fell in the First World War. The parents owned a dairy in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, called " Vacherie de l' Espérance ".