Victor Fontan

Victor Fontan was a French road cyclist, born in Pau on 18 June 1892 and died on 2 January 1982. He raced from 1910, became a professional in 1913 and, after being wounded in the First World War, returned to racing in 1920 as one of the best riders of south-western France. He is remembered for the 1929 Tour de France, which he led before dropping out after he knocked on doors at night to ask for another bicycle; his plight led the organisers to change the rules so that it could not happen again. He was also one of three riders who wore the yellow jersey of the race leader on the same day, the only time that has happened. Earlier, in 1928, he won a stage of the Tour from Les Sables d Olonne and finished seventh in Paris.