0 Comments | Herald, The; Glasgow (UK), Sep 3, 2010 | by NAOMI KOPPEL
Tour de France champion;
Born August 12, 1960; Died August 30, 2010.
LAURENT Fignon, who has died aged 50 of cancer, was a Frenchman who twice won the Tour de France but was defeated by American rival Greg LeMond in arguably the event’s greatest race.
Fignon had worked as a television commentator for the state- backed France 2 network since 2006, and right through this year’s Tour, which ended barely a month ago. His voice was gravelly from his illness and treatment.
Seven-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong, who himself battled cancer, called Fignon a “dear friend” and a “legendary cyclist”.
The battle between Fignon and LeMond in 1989 produced the narrowest winning result in the history of the world’s most famous cycling race. For three weeks they dogged each other, the leader’s yellow jersey passing back and forth. Finally, with only the last- day time trial to go, Fignon had amassed a 50-second lead that appeared decisive.
But LeMond, riding with an aerodynamic helmet and new-style handlebars that Fignon maintained were illegal, set a blistering pace – the fastest full-length time trial stage ever ridden at the time. Fignon rode last, with traditional handlebars and with his ponytail blowing in the wind. He gave everything, collapsing to the ground after finishing. But it was not enough
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