Paris – At the age of 99, former French cyclist Jacques Marinelli died.
In 1949 he placed the overall third place on the Tour de France and was the oldest living holder of the yellow jersey for the leader of the most prestigious stage race.
Marinelli became famous at a time when the world of cycling was dominated by the Faust Faust Coppi and Gin Bartali. At the home race in 1949, the Frenchman seized the yellow jersey in the fourth stage in Rouen and kept it for six days until the peloton arrived in the Pyrenees.
“I had a good form at that time, I remember. But I didn’t even dream of putting on a yellow jersey,” He said in an interview with AFP in 2019 Marinelli, who won fans for his character. He measured 160 cm and weighed 50 pounds, which was in sharp contrast to the overall winner of the Coppi race. Thanks to this he got the nickname Andulka.
On the eve of the 112th Tour de France, the director of the race Christian Vydhomm also paid respect for Marinelli. “My father told me a lot of stories about the budgie. Part of the history of the Tour is leaving with him.”
- Author: © List/
- Source: TASR
