Octave Lapize facts for kids

Octave Lapize (born October 24, 1887 – died July 14, 1917) was a famous French professional road racing cyclist. He also competed in track cycling, which is racing on a special indoor or outdoor track.

He is best known for winning the Tour de France in 1910. He also won a bronze medal at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Octave Lapize was a three-time winner of important one-day races like Paris–Roubaix and Paris–Brussels.

Cycling Career Highlights

Octave Lapize started his first Tour de France race in 1909. He had to quit early because of very cold, winter-like weather in July! Even so, he managed to finish second in Stage 2. The winner of that stage was Francois Faber.

Winning the 1910 Tour de France

In 1910, Octave Lapize competed against his teammate, Francois Faber. Faber was leading the race comfortably. But then, he crashed into a dog at the bottom of the Pyrenees mountains. This gave Lapize a chance to catch up. Lapize finally won the race by a very small margin. Faber also had several flat tires (punctures) on the last stage. This made it even harder for him to win.

Octave Lapize started the Tour de France six times between 1909 and 1914. However, the 1910 victory was the only time he finished the entire race.

Famous Words on the Mountains

During the 1910 Tour de France, Octave Lapize was climbing a very tough mountain called the Col d'Aubisque. He was so exhausted that he reportedly shouted at the race organizers, "Vous êtes des criminels!" This means "You are criminals!" in French.

Later, after finishing the stage, he told a reporter that the race director, Henri Desgrange, was "un assassin." This means "a murderer!" The stage was incredibly long, about 326 kilometers (202 miles). It included several difficult mountain climbs. Despite the harsh conditions, Lapize actually won that stage!

Life During World War I

Octave Lapize's cycling career ended because of the First World War. He joined the French army and became a fighter pilot. Sadly, on July 14, 1917, his plane was shot down near Flirey, France. He was badly hurt and died in a hospital in Toul.

Major Achievements in Cycling

Here are some of Octave Lapize's most important wins and achievements:

• 1908
  • Summer Olympics Men's 100 kilometres - Bronze Medal
• 1909
  • Paris–Roubaix, 1st Place
• 1910
  • Tour de France - 1st Overall (meaning he won the whole race) and 4 stage wins
  • Paris–Roubaix, 1st Place
• 1911
  • Paris–Roubaix, 1st Place
  • Paris–Tours, 1st Place
  • Paris–Brussels, 1st Place
  • French National Championships, 1st Place
• 1912
  • Tour de France - 1 stage win
  • Paris–Brussels, 1st Place
  • French National Championships, 1st Place
• 1913
  • Paris–Brussels, 1st Place
  • French National Championships, 1st Place
• 1914
  • Tour de France - 1 stage win

See also

In Spanish: Octave Lapize para niños

• List of Olympians killed in World War I