Alfred Letourneur (born 25 July 1907 in Amiens, France and died 4 January 1975 in New York City) was a French professional cyclist. He is known for setting the motor-paced world speed record.[1] He was professional cyclist from 1928 to 1942.[2] His nickname was "le diable rouge".[3]
Achievements edit
From 1930 to 1938 he reached 20 victories on the "six-day racing" races in the United States and Canada.[2] He also had 4 victories in National Championship, United States, in years 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935.[2]
On 22 October 1938, Alfred Letourneur was able to beat the motor-paced world speed record on a bicycle, reaching 147.058 km/h at a velodrome in Montlhéry, France, riding behind a motorbike.[4] On 17 May 1941 he broke the record again, reaching 175.29 km/h (108.92 mph) on a Schwinn bicycle riding behind a specially equipped midget racer, on old highway 99 near Bakersfield, California.[5]
In 1947, in Van Nuys, California he towed a 22 feet (6.7 m) long Airstream trailer with his bicycle as a publicity stunt.[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Schwinn Quality". Archived from the original on 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ a b c "Teams Alfred Letourneur". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ http://www.bobkestrut.com/2005/10/20/edward-hoppers-universe-new-york-a-nagging-wife-and-nazis/
- ^ "Mountain Bikes". Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ^ "Bicycle Museum" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ Poppy Gall, Man Tows Airstream Trailer On Bicycle, Poppy Gall Design Studio, November 1, 2010
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