Jacques Marinelli

He became known as ''la perruche'' during the 1949 Tour. Riding for the regional Île-de-France team rather than the national team, Marinelli rose above his humble status by attacking repeatedly during the first four days. On the fourth he came second and became race leader, leading a field that included [[Fausto Coppi]] and [[Gino Bartali]]. He exchanged the green jersey of the Ile-de-France for the yellow of leader. Next morning the organiser, [[Jacques Goddet]], wrote in ''[[L'Équipe]]'': "Our budgerigar has been transformed into a canary", a reference to Marinelli's small shape in yellow.<ref name="larepublique.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.larepublique.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/5385/Jacques_Marinelli,__une_l%E9gende_du_tour.html |accessdate=2007-06-22 |df=dmy |title=La République de Seine-et-Marne: Jacques Marinelli, une légende du tour |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185826/http://www.larepublique.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/5385/Jacques_Marinelli,__une_l%E9gende_du_tour.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The nickname stuck – but "budgerigar" rather than "canary".

He became known as ''la perruche'' during the 1949 Tour. Riding for the regional Île-de-France team rather than the national team, Marinelli rose above his humble status by attacking repeatedly during the first four days. On the fourth he came second and became race leader, leading a field that included [[Fausto Coppi]] and [[Gino Bartali]]. He exchanged the green jersey of the Ile-de-France for the yellow of leader. Next morning the organiser, [[Jacques Goddet]], wrote in ''[[L'Équipe]]'': "Our budgerigar has been transformed into a canary", a reference to Marinelli's small shape in yellow.<ref name="larepublique.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.larepublique.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/5385/Jacques_Marinelli,__une_l%E9gende_du_tour.html |accessdate=2007-06-22 |df=dmy |title=La République de Seine-et-Marne: Jacques Marinelli, une légende du tour |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185826/http://www.larepublique.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/5385/Jacques_Marinelli,__une_l%E9gende_du_tour.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The nickname stuck – but "budgerigar" rather than "canary".

Marinelli rode above himself and exploited the rivalry between Coppi and Bartali to keep the lead for another five days, as far as the [[Pyrenees]]. Marinelli still has the yellow jersey, although it has been eaten by moths.<ref name="ina.fr">{{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110521022539/http://www.ina.fr/sport/cyclisme/video/PAC9107272726/melun-le-maire-jacques-marinelli-ex-maillot-jaune-en-1949.fr.html vidéo, radio, audio et publicité – Actualités, archives de la radio et de la télévision en ligne – Archives vidéo et radio]. Ina.fr. Retrieved on 20 July 2016.</ref> He said: "For a great champion to wear the yellow jersey, that's normal. But when it's an amateur<ref>Not literally: Marinelli was a professional and referred to his talent rather than his status.</ref> that's different, and then again my height, I think that's what contributed to my popularity."<ref name="ina.fr"/>

Marinelli rode above himself and exploited the rivalry between Coppi and Bartali to keep the lead for another five days, as far as the [[Pyrenees]]. Marinelli kept the yellow jersey, although it has now been eaten by moths.<ref name="ina.fr">{{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110521022539/http://www.ina.fr/sport/cyclisme/video/PAC9107272726/melun-le-maire-jacques-marinelli-ex-maillot-jaune-en-1949.fr.html vidéo, radio, audio et publicité – Actualités, archives de la radio et de la télévision en ligne – Archives vidéo et radio]. Ina.fr. Retrieved on 20 July 2016.</ref> He said: "For a great champion to wear the yellow jersey, that's normal. But when it's an amateur<ref>Not literally: Marinelli was a professional and referred to his talent rather than his status.</ref> that's different, and then again my height, I think that's what contributed to my popularity."<ref name="ina.fr"/>

==Retirement==

==Retirement==