In archival mood, stumbled across this on the Audax Australia CC website - "Oppy Wins PBP":
https://www.audax.org.au/public/paris-brest-paris/pbp-oppy-winsGorgeous language.
"It was a curious fact that everyone in France seemed to sense my innermost thoughts concerning this big event. When I pedalled my last bouquet carrying lap of the “Tour” at the Parc des Prinos, I heard calls “Never mind this one Oppy—wait for Paris–Brest.” To my surprise my name was placed on the head of the entry list and No.1 went automatically on to my back and my bike. Yet I could not give myself a chance to win when I saw the long list of formidable names which blazed from the headlines in threatening challenge, as the starting day drew near. “Nik” Frantz loomed overpoweringly from his two wins in the Tour, Belgian Van Rysselberghe had the “Derby of the Road” non-stop 375 miles from Bordeaux to Paris, and France fielded “locomotive” Marcel Bidot, road champion of the year, backed by the record-breaking mountaineer Benoit-Faure. Belgians Bonduel-Jolly-Demuysere-Louyet and Decroix had impressive wins for the season, while Italy’s Pancera was respected throughout Europe for his endurance in long, hard contests. Moulded in the fierce competitive crucible of their national sport, they had developed a Spartan-like creed of aggressive attack and loyal team cooperation throughout their long, arduous years of achievement."