Philippe Thys

Philippe Thys

Philippe Thys (October 8, 1889 - January 16, 1971) was a famous Belgian road bicycle racer. He won the Tour de France three times and was the first to have done this. His Tour victories were in the years 1913, 1914 and 1920. Thys would certainly have had more Tour de France wins if his 

career had not been interruped by World War I. The Tour de France was not held for 4 years; 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918. 
   Long distance races suited Philippe Thys. He was the perfect rider for the tough stages of the Tour de France. Steady riding without any abrupt changes in pace was his style of riding. 
    Some of Thys's other victories are:

1. 1910 Belgian Cyclo-Cross Championship
2. 1917 Paris-Tours
3. 1917 Tour of Lombardy
4. 1918 Paris-Tours
5. 1918 Six Days of Brussels
6. 1921 Aces Criterion

After retiring from cycling at the age of 37, Philippe Thys took up another sport - Archery.

Philippe Thys