Paris-Brussels

First held in 1893, the Franco-Belgian race was a 400-kilometre classic

- Giles Belbin

It is safe to say that there is some confusion over just how many riders contested the first Paris-Brussels race. French cycling journalist Pierre Chany writes that 63 riders started from the 118 who registered, while Le Véloce Sport claims, “More than 90 from the 120 registrants presented themselves atthe départ.” Then there is Le Petit

Parisien which details 74 from 137. Happily all agree that the race was an amateur affair, took place on Sunday August 13, 1893 and was won by a Belgian bricklayer called Henri André.