Hippolyte Aucouturier, one of the most iconic riders in the early days of road cycling races, was born on the 17th October in 1876 in La Celle (France).
Aucouturier won Paris-Roubaix among a rather chaotic circumstances in 1903.
During the early years of the race, riders traditionally changed their bikes at the entrance of the velodrome. Aucouturier arrived alongside Claude Chaperon, who mistakenly took Louis Trousselier’s bike. In the time it took him to realise his error and change to his own bicycle, Aucouturier passed him and won the race. He repeated his success next year.
After his victory, Aucouturier was one of the three main favourites of the upcoming very first Tour de France. But he abandoned the first stage after complaining some stomach pains. Due to the rules, he was allowed to continue the race, but to compete only for stage wins, not for the overall. Aucouturier won the next two stage and left the race on the 4th day.
Aucouturier was part of the cheating scandal in Tour de France 1904. He was disqualified. But next year competed again and won 3 stages. This time he was able to complete the race. His 2nd place in the GC was his best TDF-result.
Hippolyte Aucouturier died on the 22 April in 1944.