Abdel-Kader Zaaf

Abdel-Kader Zaaf (27 January 1917 – 22 September 1986) was an Algerian cyclist.[1] He participated four times in the Tour de France, for the first time in 1948, and then in 1950, 1951 and for the last time in 1952. He finished in last place in the 1951 Tour de France.[2]

Abdel-Kader Zaaf
Personal information
Full nameAbdel-Kader Zaaf
Born(1917-01-27)27 January 1917
Blida, Algeria
Died22 September 1986(1986-09-22) (aged 69)
Team information
DisciplineRoad
RoleRider
Professional teams
1948Volta
1949Duralca
1950–1955Terrot–Wolber

1950 Tour de France

Although a professional rider for some time, Zaaf was best known for stage 13 of the 1950 Tour de France. The stage, from Perpignan to Nîmes, was a extremely hot with tmperatures upwards of 40 °C recorded. With still about 200 km to go in the stage, Abdel-Kader Zaaf attacked with compatriot Marcel Molinès.

They built up quite an impressive lead upwards of 30 minutes. But the heat was murderous, and team support not what it is today. Abdel-Kader accepted a bottle or bidon from a supporter alongside the road (some sources say a second bottle was also accepted) which allegedly contained wine or some other form of alcohol.

The alcohol combined with the heat had an immediate effect on Abdel-Kader, who started zigzagging and had to interrupt the stage. Considering the impressive lead, he decided to seek repose under a tree, and promptly fell asleep. He was awakened a short while later by some supporters claiming the peloton was fast approaching.

Abdel-Kader jumped on his bicycle and accelerated away, but in the direction he had come from.

It is however fortunate that he did not collide with the peloton approaching fast. He was forced to dismount for a second time, and was taken to hospital, while Molines won the stage.

Major results
1948
1st Stage 2 Circuit des six provinces
1949
1st Stage 13 Tour d'Algérie
1950
1st Stages 8 & 16 Tour d'Algérie
1st Stage 4, 7, 9, 11 & 14 Tour du Maroc
1951
10th Elfstedenronde
1952
1st Stage 11 Tour du Maroc
1953
1st Stage 9 Tour d'Algérie
1st Stage 8 Tour du Maroc
1955
1st Stage 10b Tour du Maroc
3rd Manche-Océan
10th Grand Prix des Nations

References
  1. "Abdel-Kader Zaaf". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  2. "Abdel-Kader Zaaf". ProCyclingStats. Retrieved 21 April 2014.


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