Pierre Michel

Pierre Michel was chosen for the 1952 Olympic team after having won Paris-Ézy in 1950 and riding well in 1952 at Paris-Rouen. When he road as an amateur there was another French racer with the exact same name, and some sources consider that the French Cycling Federation chose Michel for the Olympics by confusing the results of the two riders.

Most of the other riders palmarès, however, came after the 1952 Olympics. The Olympian Michel turned professional after the 1952 Olympics and rode through 1959 as a pro. He had several podium finishes on the roads, placing second at the 1954 Circuit de l’Indre, and third in 1954 Paris-Tours, the 1955 Tour de la Manche, and the 1956 Paris six-day race. Michel rode Paris-Nice four times, but finished the race only in 1958, placing 72nd.