Laurent Fignon died

[Antoine_Blondin]

Collector picture, taken in Ax 3 Domaines (18th of July)...RIP !

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Rest In Peace; he was great and courageous at Le Tour with his hoarse voice...

A wonderfull interview with Fignon by Sporza from this year
http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/100831_fignon_overleden

Shame that it gets a little ironic when Fignon says laughing: " The future is that I'll turn 100 I won't be dead in a couple of months or years"

 

[Fignon89]

Shocked and dismayed. I knew that it was serious, but didn't expect it this quickly, specially after seeing him during the Tour de France this year.

Fignon was always my favorite bicycle racer. I am glad that his book was released this year, and for those of you who haven't read it...I would highly suggest picking it up.

I always hoped to meet Fignon, but had no idea what I would say to him. I guess I don't have to worry about that now....

Sad day.

 

[Archibald]

RIP

I remember watching the old 9 Wide World of Sports weekly round ups of the Tour as a kid in the 80's. Fignon being one of those few riders that I still remember from that time - used to think that the Systeme U was such a cool team (having no idea what Systeme U actually was). He actually helped me feel okay about wearing glasses as a kid too.

 

[indurain666]

Horrible news. RIP Laurent Fignon.

 

[El Pistolero]

Pancreas cancer is the worst one, almost imposible to beat it.

For some reason I though he had skin cancer. Sucks to hear.

 

[redtreviso]

My favorite picture of Laurent Fignon.. He gathered himself like a true champion at this moment..Life goes on but not as long as it should.

 

[wdiaz_pr]

RIP Laurent

Laurent Fignon, along with Hinault and Lemond, were the stars that made me fall for cycling back in the early 80's. I always remember Fignon for his grace on the bike and the great battles he put up against Hinault and later Lemond. It saddens me to know that he no longer is around.

 

[B.Rasmussen]

No surprise but still a shock. Courageous and graceful til the end, just like on the bike. What a champion.

Rest in peace.

 

[TRDean]

No surprise but still a shock. Courageous and graceful til the end, just like on the bike. What a champion.

Rest in peace.

Exactly expresses my thoughts. Sorry to see him gone!!

 

[Darryl Webster]

Very sad news. Always had a soft spot for "The Professor" and had the priviledge of being in the same race once , the 88 Nissan Tour Of Ireland.
Who didnt feel for him when he lost the TDF to Greg Lemond by just 8 seconds thanks to Greg`s superior aquipment choice.
For a Parisian it must have been devestating.
RIP Laurent.

 

[sublimit]

Class rider, Its very sad to hear this.

 

[erader]

"In whatever kind of a “race” life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist."

-- Christopher Hitchens

rest in peace sir.

erader

 

[Christophe]

The passing of a giant. Here's a taste of his fighting spirit, from 1989 Worlds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJSgzHTRg38

 

[online-rider]

Sad, sad news. His brave efforts at the TdF this year with that failing voice of his will remain in my memory. He was the image of courage, dignity and good humour in an appalling situation.

+1 to that. I was very fond of Laurent as well Sad to hear

 

[Willy_Voet]

Wow. Shocked. I can't believe he has gone so quickly.

 

[Anonymous]

RIP Laurent

I still remember his 1992 TdF stage 11 win as one of my favorite wins by anyone in any race. I can still see his ponytail flying and his tongue hanging out.

 

[L'arriviste]

Vous avez roulé fort bien, Laurent.

Mike x

 

[D Avoid]

RIP

He actually helped me feel okay about wearing glasses as a kid too.

I think he would be happy with that. A lot of these guys never really get to fathoming the effect they really had on us. In 89 we were all hooting for Greg, for similar reasons we would have done for early Armstrong wins, until his true personality emerged, more recently I have developed an admiration for him based on history and being a bit more grown up myself. I knew, based on my own loss many years ago, that he wouldn't make it, there were no encouraging signs at all, if you believe you've lost, then you will do so. It's all boilox and every other deranged thought I could adopt now. I define him now by his two wins, rather than the one he lost.

We lost a fine actor this morning, so two in one day is a bit of a roaster, we live on though, until we join the gang, the actor was a cyclist as well and used to get fierce criticism and jokes at the lights. He was so unusual looking, he couldn't disguise himself as anyone other than Marty Feldman. Mick Lally was his name.

Ride on that rothar

 

[Mellow Velo]

So sad. This year's Tour was his swan song.
He was commentating and battling, right to the end.

Now on BBC news.(tv)

 

[adamski101]

terribly sad news. One of the true greats of the sport. His battle with Lemond in 1989 tour will always live long in the memory. I always greatly admired in his style and approach to racing and also the way he bravely fought his illness.

A true great and a real hero of cycling. May he rest in peace.

 

[Francois the Postman]

Sad sad news. Great rider, great spirit, great champion. fond memories.

He was probably the reason why they delayed bringing in helmets into cycling. If not, he should have been.

 

[S2Sturges]

Vous avez roulé fort bien, Laurent.

Mike x

Certes , la France sera en deuil lors de la passation d'un tel grand héros sportif , la paix avec Dieu , Laurent

 

[Escarabajo]

Sad news. RIP Laurent.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

very sad.
Great man.