Robert Charpentier(1916-1966)

Champion cyclist Robert Charpentier was born on April 4, 1916 in Maule, Yvelines, France. Robert began cycling when he was an apprentice to a butcher and made his deliveries on his bicycle. Charpentier was a runner-up at the 1935 amateur world championship road race. Robert went on to clean up at the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin, Germany: He won gold medals in the men's individual road race, the men's team road race, and the men's 4,000m team pursuit. Charpentier turn pro in 1937 and rode in the 1947 Tour de France. He died at age 50 on October 29, 1966.