Paul Deman

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Paul Deman (1914)

Paul Deman , according to other sources Polydore (Pol) Deman (born April 25, 1889 in Rekkem , † July 31, 1961 in Outrijve ) was a Belgian cyclist .

Paul Deman was a professional athlete from 1909 to 1924 . His greatest successes were victories at two cycling monuments : in 1913 he won the first edition of the Tour of Flanders and in 1920 Paris – Roubaix .

As early as 1909, Deman, still an amateur , had won the Tour of Belgium and took third place at Liège – Bastogne – Liège . As a professional, he won in 1914 the 592-kilometer Bordeaux – Paris and 1923 Paris – Tours . He started four times in the Tour de France , in 1911 he finished 13th in the overall standings and in 1913 14th place.

During the First World War , Deman worked as a courier for the Belgian military, hiding secret messages in his gold tooth and bringing them to the neutral Netherlands by bicycle . Shortly before the end of the war, he was arrested by the Germans and sentenced to death, but freed by the Americans. Because he was a Flemish , they initially thought he was a German and wanted to shoot him. Only after a few weeks was he finally released. He was later awarded the French Croix de guerre and several Belgian medals. After the end of his active cycling career, he settled down as a bicycle maker.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ including Paul Deman: Flanders the bijna bull in de dodencel. In: nieuwsblad.be. March 28, 2013, accessed February 9, 2020 (Dutch).
  2. ↑ including Wielerjournalistiek diep gaat. In: standaard.be. February 9, 2020, accessed February 9, 2020 (Dutch).
  3. ^ Secret agent man. In: cyclingart.blogspot.com. January 16, 2008, accessed February 9, 2020 .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Deman, Paul
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Belgian cyclist
DATE OF BIRTH April 25, 1889
PLACE OF BIRTH Rekkem
DATE OF DEATH July 31, 1961
Place of death Outrijve