Jean Graczyk

Jean Graczyk (26 May 1933 – 27 June 2004) was a professional road bicycle racer who won two points classifications in the Tour de France and has won several stages each at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. Before turning professional, Graczyk won an Olympic silver medal in the team pursuit for France.[1]

Jean Graczyk

Graczyk circa 1966
Personal information
Full name	Jean Graczyk
Born	(1933-05-26)26 May 1933 Neuvy-sur-Barangeon, France
Died	27 June 2004(2004-06-27) (aged 71) Vierzon, France
Team information
Current team	Retired
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Sprinter
Major wins
Tour de France green jersey (1958,1960)
Medal record Men's track cycling Representing  France Olympic Games 1956 Melbourne Team pursuit

His nickname in the sport was Popof.[1] The American-French journalist René de Latour jokingly said in the British monthly Sporting Cyclist that it was because of his habit of attacking alone, or "popping off". De Latour, however, depended too heavily on his readers' understanding of French slang, because Popof is a semi-derogatory term in French for someone of Polish background. The "popping off" suggestion, however, is still widely believed and appears from time to time in histories of the sport.