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Replies

Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I'll look up the 1908 Tour to see if I can find anything. Did you try the French papers? Do you know of Beatrice Grimshaw? I think it's quite something that she was working as a cycling journalist in Dublin in the 1890s while setting records out on the road.

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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

What is that woman's surname?

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Feargal McKay @cycologies.com · 31/05/2026

Here's the clipping which said she was the team's swannie. I was researching that guy Reginald Shirley - an Englishman who shouldn't be in the Tour at that time - in the team above when I stumbled over her. Which is the best way of discovering cycling history 😉

French newspaper clipping

Translation

LABOR

Managers: Alphonse Baugé, Jeanne and Rochegude.

Riders: Privat, Berthet, Reginald Shirley, Constant Ménager, Novo, R. Fleury, Bertanza.

BIGUET

Directeur Sportif: Biguet. Among the soigneurs: Mrs. Biguet.

Riders: Baert, Vivier, Roume, Winand, Dar-che, Gallin.

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Feargal McKay @cycologies.com · 31/05/2026

Biguet. Husband had a small bicycle company of that name. Here's a couple of the references to her from L'Auto in 1908.

French newspaper clipping.

Translation:

The Biguet Team

Biguet, the friendly builder, assisted by Mrs. Biguet, will personally manage his Tour de France team, which will be composed as follows:
Alzire Vivier, one of last year's injured riders; Winand, from Charleville, one of the fourteen from 1906; Roume, from Narbonne; Hubert Baert, one of the best riders from northern France; Darche, etc. As last year, the excellent builder from Boulevard Péreire will achieve a respectable ranking in our grand ride.

French newspaper clipping.

Translation:

The other teams

Biguet's five men are there, fresh and rosy-cheeked; Mrs. Biguet is looking after them like children, and Biguet, who does his own shopping, is stuffing them with pieces of meat that would satisfy my appetite, which the boss describes as ferocious. Roume is looking forward to the moment when the southern sun will beat down on their heads. Vivier remains phlegmatic; Winand, always jovial. In short, the team is in good shape.

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