Jäng Kirchen, great-uncle of Kim Kirchen, passed away on November 30th, two weeks before his 91st birthday.
He got his first license in 1939, then turned professional during WWII with German team "Victoria", and then with Rochet (1946) and Garin (1947-1953). He had the most succes in the Tour de France, which he rode 4 times, always finishing in the Top 20, twice even in 5th place. A special significance bears his 5th place in 1948. He was involved in a mass pile-up between Trouville and Dinard. After stage 12th, the Dutch, who were forming a team with the Luxembourgers, stopped taking any notice of him, since he was the only Luxembourgian remaining in the race. Therefore he became known throughout Europe as "L'isolé".
His palmarès includes:
National road champion: 1946, 1951
National cyclo-cross champion: 1948, 1952
Tour de Lorraine: 1951
Tour du Luxembourg: 1952
Tour de Suisse: 6th, 7th and 2x 4th
Worlds 1946 in Zurich: 6th
3 generations of cyclists:
Jäng Kirchen, Kim Kirchen and Erny Kirchen in 2000
http://www.tageblatt.lu/index.php/sports/47839.html