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Michael RybalchenkoCyclist
Country:
 Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Accomplishments
- Triumphant Victories
- The Historic Odessa-Vladivostok Ride
- The Inspiration behind the Tour of Ukraine
- Victory in the First Ukrainian Vélotour
- Undisputed Dominance in the Ukrainian Vélotour
- Record-Breaking Accomplishments
- Hardships During the War and Post-War Years
- Imprisonment and Redemption
Early Accomplishments
Mikhail Rybalchenko, a renowned cyclist in the Soviet Union during the 1930s, earned the distinction of being the only athlete to receive recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for his pre-war achievements, which remain unsurpassed to this day.
Triumphant Victories
In 1928, at the age of 18, Rybalchenko claimed the Ukrainian championship in a 30-kilometer cross-country race. His astonishing time of 56 minutes and 12.8 seconds, despite the challenging terrain that required cyclists to wear gas masks for two kilometers, remains a remarkable feat. Joining the national road racing team in 1931, he triumphed in a tandem track race in 1934.
The Historic Odessa-Vladivostok Ride
In 1935, Rybalchenko embarked on an extraordinary expedition, completing a bicycle ride from Odessa to Vladivostok with four fellow cyclists from Kiev's Dynamo club. A month later, he achieved victory as the USSR champion in the half-hour track race.
The Inspiration behind the Tour of Ukraine
Soviet cyclists faced setbacks in international competitions with Turkish cyclists during the mid-1930s. This prompted the Ukrainian Sports Committee to organize a multi-day ring race inspired by the Tour de France.
Victory in the First Ukrainian Vélotour
On April 23, 1937, the inaugural Odessa Oblast Vélotour commenced. Rybalchenko emerged as the undisputed champion after covering the challenging 340-kilometer route, paving the way for his success in the larger Ukrainian Vélotour.
Undisputed Dominance in the Ukrainian Vélotour
The first Ukrainian Vélotour attracted 113 elite cyclists from across the republic. Rybalchenko proved his superiority, captivating the nation as he conquered 2265 kilometers of diverse terrain in just 87 hours, 52 minutes, and 9 seconds. He maintained his lead throughout the entire race, establishing an insurmountable gap of over eight hours from his nearest competitor.
Record-Breaking Accomplishments
Rybalchenko's achievements extended to setting 18 all-Ukrainian and all-Union records in a short period during 1940. In the 1937-1938 season, he participated in bicycle races in the class of racing machines, covering a combined distance of approximately 10,000 kilometers. Remarkably, he led from start to finish in all 58 stages.
Hardships During the War and Post-War Years
During World War II, Rybalchenko rejected offers to compete in prestigious races in Romania, despite facing accusations and slander from his fellow countrymen. His wife risked her own safety to secure his release from imprisonment by selling his valuable sports prizes and safeguarding his mementos, including his photographs, awards, and the Order of the Badge of Honour, throughout the war and early post-war years.
Imprisonment and Redemption
In the aftermath of the war, Rybalchenko was unjustly branded an "enemy of the people" and sentenced to suffer ten harrowing years in a coal mine under the harsh conditions of permafrost.
