Pic of the Day 19th January '05 Magni's Bol d'Or
http://www.wooljersey.com/
1950 marked the return of the "Bol d'Or", a 24-hours track event not held since 1928 when Hubert Opperman won the "Ball of Gold".
The 1950 event was held 25th and 26th November, on the Vel d'Hiv track in Paris. Fiorenzo Magni (g.s. Wilier Triestina) covered 867kms, or 520.2 miles. That's 3468 laps on the 250 meter wooden track.
During the night the velodrome got cold, so most of the riders wore wool trainers and tights, but no one stopped if they could help it... food and water was handed-up from the infield.
Dernys lead the riders during the final 6 hours (image what the air must have been like inside the closed velodrome, full of smokers, and enhanced for 6 hours by a dozen of these motos!).
Valenta finished 2nd, 9 laps down, with Le Strat in 3rd, 59 laps down. 16 riders started - 6 finished.
Sadly, 1950's race would be the last Bol d'Or.
>From "Miroir Sprint" No.233, 27 November 1950.
Aldo Ross
Blue Ball, Ohio