Pathe News - Irish 25 Mile Champs 1920's

I just discovered the Pathe News website recently. It's got loads of great old newsreels, including lot's of cycling ones.

I found this today. It's a silent film showing the competitors in the Irish 25 Mile Cycling Champs, possibly in 1921.

25 MILE CYCLING CHAMPS

This one shows some great footage from the 1948 Olympic Road Race in Windsor Great Park outside London. That race was won by French rider Jose Bayeart, subject of Matt Rendell's book, Olympic Gangster. Check out the handbags near the end!

( OLYMPICS )

This one is of the 1949 Paris-Roubaix, won by Serse Coppi, brother of the great Fausto. As it turned out Coppi was given equal first with André Mahé of France after a controversy over who rode the right route.

FRENCH BIKE CLASSIC - PARIS TO ROUBAIX

Great stuff. I'll feature more some other time.