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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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