Born in the small town of Florennes, Lambot worked as a saddler but began racing professionally in 1908. In that year he won the championships of Flanders and Belgium. He rode the Tour de France from 1911 to 1913 but the First World War ended the race for the next five years.

When the Tour returned in 1919 it was a miserable affair of war-torn roads, fractured logistics and former contenders no longer alive to compete. Only 11 riders finished. Lambot was second for much of the race but took the lead when Eugène Christophe broke a fork. Observers felt Lambot owed his victory more to Christophe’s bad luck than his own ability and a collection for Christophe surpassed the prize money Lambot received.

In the 1920 and 1921 Lambot placed respectably and in 1922 he won for the second time after Hector Heusghem fell victim to a broken bicycle. He became the first to win the Tour without winning a stage. Lambot was 36 when he won the 1922 Tour and remains the oldest winner. In retirement, he returned to work as a saddler.

Palmarès

Andenne

Fosses-la-Ville

Genappe

Mazy

Velaine-sur-Sambre1913

Tour de France:

Winner stage 91914

Tour de France:

Winner stage 61919

Tour de France:

Winner overall

Winner stage 141920

Tour de France:

3rd place overall classification

Winner stages 5 and 61921

Tour de France:

Winner stage 91922

Tour de France:

Winner overall classification

External links

• Official Tour de France results for Firmin Lambot