Cycling legend Laurent Fignon passes away
The cycling world is mourning the death of legendary French rider Laurent Fignon, who passed away today after a battle with cancer that lasted over a year.
Fignon was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in May 2009, and announced that he was undergoing treatment one month later.
The diagnosis did not stop Fignon from remaining active in cycling, as the 50-year-old commentated this year's edition of the Tour de France for French television.
Three Grand Tour wins, one memorable loss
Fignon's illustrious professional career began in 1982. Only two years later, at 23, the Frenchman had claimed two Tour de France titles. He also came second in the 1984 Giro d'Italia, a race he would go on to win in 1989.
Only months after his Giro victory, Fignon famously lost the general classification of the Tour to American Greg LeMond.
Fignon led LeMond by 50 seconds ahead of the last stage, but the American got the better of him in the concluding time trial and won by a margin of eight seconds.
Fignon will be remembered as an erratic rider who often attempted bold attacks when racing. He continued to be involved in cycling after his retirement in 1993, managing the Paris–Nice race until 2004.
As a TV commentator, Fignon was outspoken and provided spectators with impressive insight into the workings of the sport.
Cycling greats praise Fignon
Five-time Tour winner Bernard Hinault was full of praise for Fignon after learning of his passing.
“I’m moved, and everybody who loves cycling is moved. We were teammates before being rivals, one against the other. He always fought to win. This time he fought and he has lost,” said Hinault to French TV channel i-Tele.
Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Tour de France between 1989 and 2005, joined Hinault in expressing admiration for Fignon.
“Cycling is a big family and when a young former champion dies at just fifty years of age, it cannot but move us. His death has come too quickly and too soon," Leblanc said in an interview with the France Info radio station.
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