Initially, cyclo-cross races were mainly dominated by road racers who used cyclo-cross races to stay in shape during the winter. There were no real experts at the time. When André Dufraisse ended in second place at the cyclo-cross world championships in Geneva in 1952, he decided to focus all of his attention on this discipline. That year, he did arrive at the start of the Tour de France as a road racer, but he did not reach the finish in Paris. The switch from the road to the field did not do Dufraisse any harm, because he obtained his first world title in 1954. Eventually, he won the world championships five times in a row.
André Dufraisse was a real expert in the cyclo-cross. After a failed road career, Dufraisse developed into an all-round cyclo-cross rider who could ride fast, but could also run very well. In this mix of acrobatic power, flexibility, running speed and climbing skills he displayed such supremacy that he was given the nickname "The Coppi of the field". In 1954 André Dufraisse took over the lead from Roger Rondeaux, although the titleholder appeared to be heading for his fourth world title in Crenna. However, five kilometres before the finish he met with adversity and had to concede. Cyclo-cross expert André Dufraisse gratefully used this and obtained his first world title. Incidentally, Dufraisse also encountered some bad luck during this championship. He fell down in the first lap, but he proved to be able to close the gap. In 1955 the Frenchman defended his title with a great deal of verve. In Saarbrücken he fought out an interesting battle with the Italian Amerigo Severini and the Swiss Hans Bieri. Dufraisse settled this battle to his advantage.
In 1956, in Luxemburg Dufraisse mainly had to deal with the local favourite Charly Gaul. Dufraisse straight away disillusioned the Luxemburgers and immediately took the lead. Only his fellow-countryman Georges Meunier could form a slight threat, but he also had to leave the honour to Dufraisse, who passed the finish line with a 39-second lead. The Frenchman really was superior that year, because he had won 19 out of 20 races in advance. He had to settle for second place only once.
In 1957, the world championships took place in the Belgian Edelaere. The sudden setting in of the thaw changed the track into one large quagmire. Only one piece of road was in good condition. This cycle race clearly seemed to be disadvantageous to Dufraisse, who mainly relied on his skill on the bike. Those who had thought that the Frenchman would fail in this quagmire were disappointed. André Dufraisse showed that he controlled the cyclo-cross whatever the circumstances. In addition, the Frenchman had been smart enough to have studs placed under his racing shoes before the start of the race, which provided him with more grip on the swampy ground. Dufraisse reached the finish line with a lead of one minute and eleven seconds. It was his largest lead in a world championship.
In 1958, in his hometown Limoges, Dufraisse had the difficult task of defending his rainbow jersey as a local favourite. The by then 34-year-old Frenchman was tormented by back pains, but he did not want to disappoint his numerous supporters. The young German Rolf Wolfshohl was the one who would have to end the French hegemony. The German could maintain this illusion for three of the six laps. Only the Italian Amerigo Severini and the old Dufraisse were able to follow him. In the fourth lap, however, Dufraisse struck on a steep slope and the subsequent descent. He tore himself loose of his two companions, of whom Severini put up the most resistance. With a face distorted in pain, the injured Dufraisse pedalled as fast as he could, and was able to pocket his fifth world title.
After that, just like all other French cyclo-cross riders, he lost touch with the international cyclo-cross top. He suffered from hip gout and could no longer train at full force. Only a few honoured places were granted to him, but he did become the French champion four times. The cyclo-cross rider from Limoges obtained a total of seven French titles. Five gold, two silver and four bronze world championship medals made André Dufraisse the first great ruler of cyclo-cross.

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