1983 TDF Laurent Fignon
Tendinitis prevented 1982 winner Bernard Hinault from starting the 1983 Tour. Peugeot rider Pascal Simon became the Yellow Jersey after stage 10, the only Pyrenean stage. The next day Simon crashed and broke his shoulder blade. Simon continued riding, keeping the lead while suffering terrible pain. 23-year-old Laurent Fignon stalked him, but didn't attack, waiting for the inevitable collapse. The collapse came in stage 17 with its 6 Alpine ascents where Simon abandoned. Fignon became the leader, holding the Yellow Jersey until the end. Fignon's only stage victory was the final time trial.
Laurent Patrick Fignon (1960 –2010) was a French professional road bicycle racer who won the Tour de France in 1983 and 1984 and the Giro d'Italia in 1989. He nearly captured the Tour de France for a third time in 1989 before being edged by Greg LeMond by 8 seconds, the closest margin ever to decide the Tour.
Fignon won many classic races, including taking Milan–San Remo back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. He died from cancer in 2010.
1983 TDF Laurent Fignon
Tendinitis prevented 1982 winner Bernard Hinault from starting the 1983 Tour. Peugeot rider Pascal Simon became the Yellow Jersey after stage 10, the only Pyrenean stage. The next day Simon crashed and broke his shoulder blade. Simon continued riding, keeping the lead while suffering terrible pain. 23-year-old Laurent Fignon stalked him, but didn't attack, waiting for the inevitable collapse. The collapse came in stage 17 with its 6 Alpine ascents where Simon abandoned. Fignon became the leader, holding the Yellow Jersey until the end. Fignon's only stage victory was the final time trial.
Laurent Patrick Fignon (1960 –2010) was a French professional road bicycle racer who won the Tour de France in 1983 and 1984 and the Giro d'Italia in 1989. He nearly captured the Tour de France for a third time in 1989 before being edged by Greg LeMond by 8 seconds, the closest margin ever to decide the Tour.
Fignon won many classic races, including taking Milan–San Remo back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. He died from cancer in 2010.