Elsy Jacobs (4 March 1933 – 27 February 1998) was a Luxembourgish road bicycle racer. She became the first ever women's Road World Champion when she won the inaugural race on 30 August 1958. Later the same year she broke the women's hour record on 9 November, riding 41,347 m on the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan; the record stood for 14 years.
Biography
Born in Garnich, Luxembourg, Elsy Jacobs was one of many children; three of her brothers were also racing cyclists, Roger, Raymond and Edmond Jacobs (who competed in the Tour de France).
Both a sports centre and hall were named in her honour. The Grand Prix Elsy Jacobs was established and is based in her home town of Garnich. Since 2008, ten years after her death, the race has appeared on the UCI women's elite cycle racing calendar.
Palmàres
1957 2nd Circuit Lyonnais-Auvergne
1958 Hour record – 41,347 km 1st UCI Road World Championships
1959 2nd Pursuit, UCI Track Cycling World Championships 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1960 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1961 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships 3rd UCI Road World Championships
1962 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1963 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1964 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1965 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1966 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships 4th UCI Road World Championships
1967 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1968 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships 4th UCI Road World Championships
1970 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1971 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1972 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1973 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
1974 1st Luxembourg National Road Race Championships
References
Grand Prix Elsy Jacobs