Roger Rondeaux

When in 1950 the cyclo-cross riders battled for an official rainbow jersey for the first time, the French took the lead. Former Tour winner Jean Robic won the first rainbow jersey by beating his fellow-countryman Roger Rondeaux in the sprint. The French hegemony was underlined by a third place for Pierre Jodet. During the next years, the mastery of the French was mainly demonstrated by Roger Rondeaux, who won the world title three years in a row.
Roger Rondeaux had already won the Criterium International twice when in 1951 he won his first world title in Luxemburg at the age of 31. That day, the French even occupied the first four places, a superiority that was never displayed again. Roger Rondeaux was the first real bicycle acrobat. Thanks to this steering skills and agility he was unique for several years. The tougher the track, the more he felt at ease. During the season, Rondeaux only rode in France and Switzerland, in heavy and hilly races.
Roger Rondeaux really was the prototype of a cyclo-cross rider. Limber and with flexible muscles he moved across the most difficult fields. Rondeaux was also capable of deciding a race with a quick start. In 1952 during the world championships in Geneva he gained an unapproachable lead within four kilometres. In 1953, Rondeaux completed the trilogy by winning his third rainbow jersey in Onate. His fellow-countrymen Gilbert Bauvin and André Dufraisse had to acknowledge the superiority of Rondeaux. In 1954, the world title went to André Dufraisse, although Roger Rondeaux initially seemed to be heading for his fourth world title in Crenna. However, five kilometres before the finish he fell so hard that his frame broke, forcing the titleholder to concede.
Rondeaux, who won the French title seven times in his career, had to take a step down after that. André Dufraisse took over the lead both nationally and internationally. In Saarbrücken, during the world championships, Roger Rondeaux did not get further than a sixth place. It was the last international appearance of the sportsman who had started his career as a race walker.

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