Laurent Fignon

The great French cyclist, Laurent Fignon, who died this week from cancer, aged just 50, recalled being recognized by a man in the street.

The great Fignon

“Ah, I remember you: you’re the guy who lost the Tour by eight seconds.” “No, monsieur,” Fignon replied, “I’m the guy who won it twice.”

After losing the 3,285 kilometre race by a few seconds in the time-trial on the streets of Paris in 1989, it is little wonder that Fignon is most remembered for that year of the event. 

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  • Tom says:

    12:30am | 03/09/10

    The funny thing is I think over a long TT course his hair may well have cost him close to 8 seconds in aerodynamic drag - not just the aero bars. Read more »

  • Dominic says:

    09:06pm | 02/09/10

    Thanks for the tribute. I saw Fignon ride once in France and he was all class. Your description of him is spot-on. No wonder he described racing in subsequent years as ‘robotic’. It was the flair of the times - not just him, but Delgrado, Anderson, and our Irish riders.… Read more »

 

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