Laurent Fignon (born August 12, 1960 in Paris) was a French cyclist, who won the Tour de France twice, and missed winning it a third time with minimal difference.

Biography

Fignon started his rise to Tour de France fame in 1983 when Bernard Hinault was not available to ride that year. Hinault had been the dominant force in most Tours for the previous few years, whereas Fignon was a young newcomer on the same Renault team, which was directed by the legendary Cyrille Guimard. Hinault's fallout with Guimard the following year meant that Fignon became Guimard's new protégé.

Fignon is best remembered for the 1989 Tour de France when he lost to Greg Lemond by only eight seconds. While Greg Lemond used tri bars and a new type of aerodynamic helmet in the time trials, Fignon stuck to traditional time trial handlebars and wore no helmet. Fignon also suffered in the 1989 tour from saddle sores and he claimed this is what really slowed him down.

However, Fignon is a great rider in his own right. He won the Milan-San Remo race twice and the Giro d'Italia despite suspicions of the Italians using unfair tactics to favor their own riders. The important time-trial stage saw the Italian TV helicopter fly in front of Fignon but behind Italian favorite Francesco Moser.

Significant victories by year

1982 Critérium International

1983 Critérium International 21st stage of Tour de France 1st General Classification of Tour de France

1984 20th stage of Giro d'Italia 2nd General Classification of Giro d'Italia National Championship of France 5 stages of Tour de France 1st General Classification Tour de France

1986 Flèche Wallonne

1988 Milan - San Remo

1989 1st General Classification of Giro d'Italia

1990 Critérium International

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