Jean Alavoine

Jean Alavoine (1 April 1888 – 18 July 1943) was a French professional cyclist, who won 17 stages in the Tour de France - only eight riders have won more stages - and wore the yellow jersey for five days.

Jean Alavoine was born in Roubaix on 1 April 1888. In his professional career from 1908 to 1925, he won 29 courses, including 17 Tour de France stages. In the 1922 Tour de France, he won three stages in a row, stages 5–6-7, and wore the yellow jersey. In stage 11, still leading the race, Alavoine had mechanical problems and his lead dropped to 6:53 minutes. In stage 12 Alavoine lost 37 minutes and the lead. In the end, he finished the tour in second place. In 1943 he died during a veteran race in Argenteuil.

Major results

1909 French national road race champion Tour de France: 3rd place general classification Winner stages 8 and 14 1912 Tour de France: 5th place general classification Winner stages 11, 13 and 15 1913 Tour de France: did not finish 1914 Tour de France: 3rd place general classification Winner stage 7 1919 Tour de France: 2nd place general classification Winner stages 4, 5, 7, 8 and 15 Circuit des Champs de Bataille entered 1920 French national road race champion Tour de France: did not finish Giro d'Italia: 3rd place overall classification Winner stages 4 and 6 1921 Tour de France: did not finish 1922 Tour de France: 2nd place general classification Winner stages 5, 6 and 7 1923 Tour de France: did not finish Winner stages 6, 7 and 9 1924 Tour de France: 14th place general classification 1925 Tour de France: 13th place general classification