René Pottier was probably the finest climber of the early years of Tour de France.
He was born in 1879 in Moret-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne.
In 1903 he won Bordeaux-Paris and had also several other podium results (f. e. at Paris-Roubaix).
Pottier attended the Tour de France only 2 times, in 1905 and 1906. The first time he had to abandon the race but next year he won it, including five stage wins. He crossed the Ballon d’Alsace (the first climb of the Tour de France ) as first rider both occasions.
On 25 January 1907 Pottier committed suicide after learning his wife found a new lover while he was winning the Tour de France.