Paul Péan

Paul Henri Péan ( - ) was a French Motorcycle racer, active between the years 1909 and 1932 becoming one of the most successful motorcycle racers in the years immediately following the First World War, racing for Peugeot primarily in the 500cc category.

Biography

His first racing experience came at 15 years old as a riding mechanic for Giosue Giuppone,

His racing career was interrupted by the First World War during which he distinguished himself as a pilot and received the Croix de guerre and the medaille militaire and was proposed for the Legion d'honneur.

He resumed his racing career following the war with a number of victories, including at l'Eure, Circuit de Champagne, Grand Prix de Montlhery, Spanish Grand Prix and Monza. He also held a number of motorcycle speed recorods.

After retiring from racing he became president of the Motocycle-Club de France and while attending an event organised by the club at Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry while trying a motorcycle he crashed at a speed of more than 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) after colliding with another rider, he died during the night from the multiple injuries he suffered in the crash.