How to Wear a Cycling Cap: Regis Delepine

Regis Delepine knows how to wear them - while going fast.

Frenchman, Delepine raced professionally between 1970 and 1980 for a number of teams, including Fagor-Mercier (1971), Gan Mercier (1972-1973, 1976), Merlin Beach-Flandria (1974), Flandria-Carpenter (1975), and Peugeot-Esso-Michelin (1977-1980).

Delepine (Gan-Mercier) with Herman Beysens, 1976 Tour de France. Rene Milanese photo from Wikimedia Commons

His palmares during that time include a number of wins and high placings. Those finishes include a 2nd Place in the 1969 U23 Paris-Roubaix, and 1st on Stage 7 of the Tour de 'lAvenir. In 1970 he picked up a win at Poullaouen, in France, and then four stages on the way to a 3rd Place finish on G.C. at the Volta a Portugal. 1972 saw him win the 5th Stage of the Criterium du Dauphine Libere, and then claim victory at Langemark, Belgium. During 1973 he picked up a win at Paris-Camembert, and another in the 1st Stage of the Tour of Indre-et-Loire. In 1974 Delepine picked up another stage at the Tour of Indre-et-Loire, and then perhaps the biggest win of his career - Bordeaux-Paris. His three wins during 1975 came at Chateau-Gointier, the Circuit Indre, and at Poullaouen (his second win there). 1976 proved to be a big year of him, as he picked up wins at the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, 2nd and 4th Stages at Rochecorbon, and the 4th Stage of the Tour de Mediterranean. He also finished 2nd at the GP Aix en Provence, 2nd on GC at the Tour de l'Oise, and 2nd on the 1st Stage of the Tour de France. In 1977 he won GP des Herbiers, Paris-Bourges, and the 4th Stage of the Tour de France. Wins eluded him in 1978, but he had nine podium appearances. In 1979 he picked up a win at the GP Peymeinade, as well as a second at Bordeaux-Paris, and in 1980 he finished his career with wins at the Circuit Indre and the 1st Stage of the Tour de l'Oise.

That 1974 win at Bordeaux-Paris ranks as one of those unusual finishes in the sport. Delepine crossed the line first, but did so after race leader, Herman Van Springel, took a wrong turn on his way to apparent victory. Officials granted each a share of the win, and so it is recorded in the books.

If I read the source correct, the occasion of the above photo was the l'Anjou Velo Vintage, l'etape des champions de legende in 2013. Delepine, still looking fit in Gan-Mercier kit, cycling cap fitting snug over his leather hair-net. Mario Fournier photo.