Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle

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Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle is a former French professional road racing cyclist who was a specialist at the one-day classic cycling races and raced between 1977 and 1995. He ranked amongst the top French cyclists of his generation, alongside Bernard Hinault and Laurent Fignon.

In spite of being a specialist of the famous Paris-Roubaix classic, it took "Duclos", as the public called him, a very long time to win it eventually. After having been 2nd twice (lost to Moser in 80 and Kuiêr in 83), he finally achieved the long-awaited victory in 1992, finishing alone on the Roubaix velodrome 20 seconds ahead the German Olaf Ludwig. He was already 37 years old. But the most tremendous exploit of his career is his second victory in Paris-Roubaix the year after, when he beat on the finish line the Italian sprinter Franco Ballerini. Ballerini thought first to have won and lifted his arms in triumph before realising he had lost the race in the very last two meters on the Vélodrome track.

Not a climber, Duclos-Lassalle was never a contender for the final victory in the Tour de France but managed good achievements in one-week race such as Paris-Nice or the Critérium du Midi Libre.

His son Hervé Duclos-Lassalle has pursued the family tradition by becoming a professional cyclist as well.