José Beyaert (1 October 1925 – 11 June 2005) was a French professional cyclist who competed during the 1940s and 1950s, and was the 1948 Olympics road race champion. Beyaert moved to Colombia in 1952 and lived there for several years where he was the coach to the national cycling team.[1] He also competed in the Vuelta a Colombia which he won on his first attempt in 1952. He finished second the following year and eighth the year after.[2] He also rode in the 1950 Tour de France and finished 47th overall.

José Beyaert
Beyaert after winning the road race at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Born(1925-10-01)1 October 1925
Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
Died11 June 2005(2005-06-11) (aged 79)
La Rochelle, France
Team information
DisciplineRoad
Professional teams
1949Gitane–Campagnolo
1949–1951Helyett–Hutchinson
1952Colomb–Dunlop
Medal record
Representing  FRA
Men's cycling
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1948 London Individual road race
Bronze medal – third place 1948 London Team road race

Major results

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1945
3rd Paris–Évreux
1948
Summer Olympics
1st   Road race
3rd   Team time trial
3rd Trofeo Matteotti
1949
1st GP de l'Echo d'Alger
1950
1st Grand Prix d'Isbergues
9th Paris–Brussels
1952
1st   Overall Vuelta a Colombia
1st Stages 2, 3, 6, 11 & 13
1953
2nd Overall Vuelta a Colombia
1st Stages 3 & 8
1955
1st Stages 8a, 8b & 17 Vuelta a Colombia

Further reading

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  • Rendell, Matt (2009). Olympic Gangster: The Legend of José Beyaert - Cycling Champion, Fortune Hunter and Outlaw. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-398-9.

References

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  1. ^ "José Beyaert dies". Cyclingnews.com. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  2. ^ Rendell, Matt (2002). Kings of the Mountains. Aurum. ISBN 1-85410-837-9.
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