Martin, Marianne
Cycling
b. 1961, Fenton, MI
Martin was the surprise winner of the first Tour de France for women in 1984, covering the 616-mile course in 29 hours, 39 minutes, and 2 seconds. Because the race conflicted with the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the U. S. Cycling Federation didn't send a team, but the North Jersey Women's Bicycle Club did. A French company supplied bicycles and jerseys, since the six riders couldn't wear U. S. national team jerseys.
Because she'd been suffering from anemia and riding poorly in the early part of the year, Martin had to talk her way onto the team. In fact, she said later, "I begged and pleaded to get on the team."
An excellent climber, Martin took the lead for the first time after the fourteenth stage, which covered only 20 miles but climbed nearly a mile. She led the rest of the way and cycled triumphantly into Paris, where more than two million spectators lined the streets. As Martin did her victory lap along the Champs Elysees, she was surprised to hear a familiar voice in the crowd: Her father had flown in from Michigan to watch the finish.