Jacques Dupont (cyclist) facts for kids
Dupont in 1951
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| Personal information | |
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| Born | 19 June 1928 Lézat-sur-Lèze, Ariège, France |
| Died | 4 November 2019 (aged 91) Lézat-sur-Lèze |
| Team information | |
Jacques Dupont (born June 19, 1928 – died November 4, 2019) was a famous French racing cyclist. He was an Olympic champion in track cycling, which is a type of bike racing done on a special oval track. Jacques Dupont won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He also won other important races during his career.
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Olympic Champion
Jacques Dupont became an Olympic hero in 1948. He competed in the London Summer Olympics. He won a gold medal in the 1000-meter time trial. In this event, cyclists race against the clock to complete 1000 meters as fast as possible.
Team Road Race Bronze
At the same 1948 Olympics, Jacques Dupont also won a bronze medal. This was for the team road race. He raced with his teammates José Beyaert and Alain Moineau. Together, they helped France win a medal in this exciting event.
Winning Big Races
Besides his Olympic success, Jacques Dupont was also a strong road cyclist. Road cycling involves racing on regular roads. He showed his talent in one of France's most famous races.
Paris–Tours Victories
Jacques Dupont won the Paris–Tours race twice. He first won it in 1951. Then, he won it again in 1955. This race is a long-distance classic in cycling.
The Ruban Jaune
His 1955 win at Paris–Tours was very special. He completed the 253-kilometer race at an amazing speed. His average speed was 43.666 kilometers per hour. This was a record for a professional race at the time. For this incredible achievement, he was given the Ruban Jaune. The Ruban Jaune, or "Yellow Ribbon," is an award for the fastest average speed in a major race.
