Ferdinand Kübler
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Ferdinand "Ferdi" Kübler was a Swiss cyclist with over 100 professional racing victories, including the 1950 Tour de France. Born July 24, 1919, he began racing professionally in 1940 but his early career was limited to competition within Switzerland by the Nazi occupation of much of Europe. He was many times Swiss national champion and twice winner of the Tour of Switzerland.
Kubler’s most successful years in international racing were 1950-1952, when the classic races had re-emerged after the Second World War. He twice won the La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (both in 1951 and 1952). He was also World Road Race Champion in 1951, having placed second in 1949 and third in 1950.
In the Grand Tours, he entered the Giro d'Italia from 1950-1952, placing fourth once, and third twice. Kubler entered but ultimately abandoned the 1947 and 1949 Tours de France, despite an early stage win in each race. In the 1950 Tour, he benefited from the absence of Fausto Coppi, who was sidelined after a serious crash in the Giro. Overcoming Gino Bartali, Kubler became champion by a margin of over nine minutes, also winning three stages. In the 1954 Tour, Kubler won the Green Jersey and came in second overall behind Coppi.
Nicknamed “Ferdi,” Kubler was a high-spirited and impulsive rider sometimes given to strategically-unwise attacks, merely out of exuberance and a strong competitive drive. He was also known as “the cowboy” because of his penchant for Stetson hats. He retired from racing in 1957, at aged 38 years. He is the oldest living Tour winner.
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| Preceded by: Fausto Coppi |
Winner of the Tour de France 1950 |
Succeeded by: Hugo Koblet |
| Preceded by: Briek Schotte |
World Road Racing Champion 1951 |
Succeeded by: Heinz Müller |
