René Pottier

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René Pottier, (June 5, 1879 in Moret-sur-Loing - January 25, 1907 in Levallois-Perret) was a French cyclist

René Pottier took first place in the Bordeaux-Paris 1903 race before turning professional. He came second in Paris-Roubaix 1905 and the Bordeaux-Paris race of 1905, then third in 1906’s Paris-Roubaix race, before winning the Tour de France in 1906.

He was considered to be the finest climber of the Tour de France, notching up wins in the Ballon d’Alsace climb of 1905, before being caught up with in Besançon before dropping out of the race, lying in pole position.

The following year he returned to the Tour, clinching five stage victories and taking the overall maillot jaune.

On January 25 1907 he committed suicide by hanging himself after having his heart broken. A few weeks later, Henri Desgranges, patron of the Tour, erected a stele in his memory at the top of the Ballon d'Alsace, a summit in the région of Alsace