20 Facts About Daniel Morelon

Daniel Morelon was born on 24 July 1944 and is a retired French racing cyclist who was active between 1963 and 1980.

Daniel Morelon is a triple Olympic champion, eight times world champion, and a Knight of the National Order of Merit.

Daniel Morelon came into cycling after going to races with his two brothers.

Daniel Morelon won 11 races in the youth class and came second nine times out of 25 races.

Daniel Morelon came third in the national youth championship on the road and moved to the track after a training session in Paris.

Daniel Morelon was called up to the army in November 1963.

Daniel Morelon joined the national sports institute, INSEP, and began training at an international level.

Trentin was unsettled by his disqualification against the Italian, Pettenela, in the semi-final and lost to Daniel Morelon after forcing him to a third ride.

Daniel Morelon took the world title the following year, again ahead of Trentin, but despite Trentin's confidence they failed in the tandem final.

Two days later, Daniel Morelon easily won the sprint against Giordano Turrini.

Daniel Morelon took his third world title in 1969 and a silver on the tandem.

Daniel Morelon repeated the performance in 1970, but with Gerard Quintyn as tandem partner.

Trentin and Daniel Morelon teamed up again for the tandem in 1971, and took the bronze.

Daniel Morelon disposed of the Australian John Nicholson in two rides, although the second needed a photo-finish.

At his fourth Olympics, in Montreal, Daniel Morelon faced the unknown Slovak Anton Tkac in the final.

Daniel Morelon lost the first round after leading but being passed on the line.

Daniel Morelon won the second and was outridden in the third.

Daniel Morelon stopped racing in 1977 and succeeded Gerardin as national coach.

Daniel Morelon reached retirement age after the 2005 Olympics in Los Angeles and both he and Quintyn retired.

Rather than move to China, Daniel Morelon brought his best riders to train in France.