Jean-Pierre Monseré

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJean-Pierre•Monseré
Used nameJean-Pierre•Monseré
Nick/petnamesJempi
Born8 September 1948 in Roeselare, West-Vlaanderen (BEL)
Died15 March 1971 in Sint-Pieters-Lille, Antwerpen (BEL)
Measurements178 cm / 66 kg
NOC Belgium

Biography

Jean-Pierre Monseré was not well known prior to placing sixth at the 1968 Olympics. As an amateur, he placed second in the 1969 World Championships. He immediately turned professional with the Flandria team, and won the Giro di Lombardia after Gerben Karstens was disqualified for doping use. In 1970, he placed third in the Belgian Championships to be selected for the World Championships. Finding himself in the lead group, he jumped away from favourite Felice Gimondi to win a surprise world title. But the rainbow jersey turned out to be a curse for the young Monseré. His father, not allowed to drink alcohol because of a heart condition, died following the celebrations over his son’s win. Before the start of the 1970 international season, Monseré himself was killed in an accident during competition. A car drove onto the course of the Grand Prix de Retie and had a head-on collision with the World Champion, who died on the spot. In 1976, Monseré’s 7-year-old son was also killed in a car accident, riding on a racing bike he had been given by his godfather, cyclist Freddy Maertens.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1968 Summer Olympics Cycling Road (Cycling) BEL Jean-Pierre Monseré
Road Race, Individual, Men (Olympic) 6