Alfred Letourneur

Alfred Letourneur (born 25 July 1907 in Amiens, France and died 4 January 1975 in New York) was a French professional cyclist. He is known for setting the motor-paced world speed record.[1] He was professional cyclist from 1928 to 1942.[2] His nickname was "le diable rouge".[3]

Achievements

From 1930 to 1938 he reached 20 victories on the "six-day racing" races in the USA and Canada.[2] He also had 4 victories in National Championship, USA, in years 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935.[2]

On 22 October 1938, Alfred Letourneur was able to beat the motor-paced world speed record on a bicycle, reaching 147.058 km/h at a velodrome in Montlhéry, France, riding behind a motorbike.[4] On 17 May 1941 he broke the record again, reaching 175.29 km/h (108.92 mph) on a Schwinn bicycle riding behind a specially equipped midget racer, on a freeway near Bakersfield, California.[5]

See also

References


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