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Antonin Rolland is the same age as AIPS. He celebrated his hundredth birthday this year. On September 3, he became the first centenarian to wear the yellow jersey of the Tour de France and the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia. He was honoured last Sunday by many cyclists including Bernard Thévenet, double winner of the Tour during an official ceremony that took place in his native village of Sainte-Euphémie.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS On this occasion, AIPS, which turned 100 years old on July 2, presented him with the box of lapel pins that it had launched on the occasion of its own centenary, as well as the commemorative postage stamp specially produced by San Marino Post and the San Marino Sports Press Association to mark the significant milestone. When Rolland saw the stamp, he recalled his 1957 stage victory obtained in Pescara during a Giro d’Italia where he had worn the pink jersey.
TOUR DE FRANCE MEMORIES However, it was the Tour de France, in which he competed in and finished ten editions, that left the greatest mark on his career. In 1955, he wore the yellow jersey for twelve days and could have won it if he had not decided, out of loyalty, to put himself entirely at the service of the designated leader of the French team, Louison Bobet.
A RARE CHAMPION Antonin Rolland is one of the rare champions who have competed in and finished all the major cycling Tours. At one hundred years old, he drives his car, rides his bike, collects his eggs from a farm, cooks his meals and receives or visits his many friends. He is surrounded by a large family, including his granddaughter Marion Rolland, world downhill ski champion in 2014.
Antonin Rolland was known in the cycling peloton for his courage, humility and loyalty. He always maintained the best relations with journalists, many of whom became his friends. He was very touched by the attention paid to him by AIPS.
AIPS Media/Jean-Paul Savart Photo by Fabrice Jaume
