Louis Caput

Louis Caput (23 January 1921 to 1 January 1985) was a French professional road racing cyclist who later became a team manager. Born in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, he rode as a professional from 1942 to 1957. He won Paris-Tours in 1948, took two Tour de France stages, in 1949 and 1955, finished third in the Tour of Flanders in 1950, and was French national champion in 1946. He rode the Tour de France nine times between 1947 and 1956 and finished only three of them, placing 45th in 1951, 54th in 1955 and 56th in 1956. Known to the crowds as P'tit Louis, he was described by the writer Rene de Latour as a clever rider who led breakaways like a general. After he stopped racing he worked in real estate in Vincennes, became directeur sportif of the Kamome-Dilecta team in 1966, ran the de Gribaldy team from 1968 to 1969 and later managed the Fagor-sponsored Mercier team. He died in Paris and is buried at Ivry Cemetery, and an annual cycling event honours him.