He was the oldest bicycle lover and perhaps one of its best promoters. Centennial cyclist specialist in speed records, Robert Marchand died at the age of 109, announced Saturday, May 22 Charlotte Blandiot-Faride, the mayor of Mitry-Mory (Seine-et-Marne), where he lived a peaceful retirement .
“It is with great sadness that we learn of the disappearance of our friend, comrade and champion Robert Marchand at the age of 109 years. Rest in peace my friend and thank you for all the dreams you have made live! “, wrote Mme Blandiot-Faride, the Communist (PCF) mayor of Mitry-Mory, in a message on Facebook.
“Robert Marchand is dead, the little queen is a widow Prime Minister Jean Castex tweeted.
Robert Marchand is dead, the little queen is a widow. From this long life of records, sport and commitments, the… https://t.co/yBLiW1tzJz
Born November 26, 1911 in Amiens, Robert Marchand lived his life like an epic. After giving up a career as a professional cyclist in his youth, he lived in Venezuela, Italy, Canada and worked in various trades: firefighter, market gardener, wine merchant or sugar cane planter.
The fame came late, when, in his sixties, he got back on his bike as an amateur cyclist. Become a real mascot, he set records at an advanced age: hour record for over 100 years, then over 105 years old, title of world champion in road cycling for over 105 years old, wearing the yellow and purple jersey of the Ardéchoise, a very popular local race.
A life of commitment and moderation
On January 4, 2017, for his unprecedented record in the over 105 category – an age category created especially for him – his notoriety had convinced some television channels to broadcast his 92 laps live at the Saint-Velodrome. Quentin-en-Yvelines. He had set his record by covering 22.547 kilometers in one hour.
The next day, during a photo shoot at the Paris headquarters of Agence France-Presse (AFP), the centenary still managed to carry his bike on one shoulder. And repeated his mantra: “At my age, you should never stop. If you stop, you’re screwed. “
Robert Marchand had maintained a healthy lifestyle, doing daily flexibility exercises, probably one of the secrets of his longevity. The most famous licensee of the Cyclos Mitryens club, he trained mainly in his modest studio, on his exercise bike, to escape the frosts and road traffic – his hearing loss making outdoor trips perilous.
The man, recognizable by his small build, his 1.50 meter and his communicative laughter, was also committed his life to the French Communist Party and the CGT. “He is a man who has stood the test of time”, greeted the mayor of Mitry-Mory, praising a dean “Very invested, communist militant, who helped to make the city known”. Asked then about the secret of his longevity, the Frenchman, who experienced the two world wars, advocated moderation: “The secret is to use everything and abuse nothing. ”