Elsy Jacobs

Elsy Jacobs
	Jacobs at the 1958 World Championships
Personal information
Full name	Elsy Jacobs
Born	5 March 1933; Garnich, Luxembourg
Died	27 February 1998 (aged 64); Guémené-sur-Scorff, France
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Endurance
Amateur team
	Gitane
Major wins
	World Champion; National Champion x15
Medal record
Representing Luxembourg
UCI Road World Championships

Elsy Jacobs (4 March 1933 – 27 February 1998)^[1] 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

Elsy Jacobs' bicycle at the Centre Sportif Elsy Jacobs in Garnich.

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.