.
A legend…RIP
.
A legend…RIP
Agreed.
A very cool legend and competitor
.
Sad. He was commenting on the French TV nearly all the of Tour de France. He was clearly physically struggling and he was very clear about his condition saying thqat he was going to stay on the Tour as long as he could, and if he had to take a day off, he will. He repeatred that his doctors said that he should rest, but he wasn’t going to miss this Tour. He kept his sense of humour and his comments were informative and entertaining. He did a last effort to spend all his energy to enjoy and support the sport he loved so much. He will be missed.
RIP! I remember him well and fondly.
Is there any responsible scientist who can say his drug use caused his pancreatic cancer?
-Robert
You can’t conclude that his admitted drug use was the cause of his cancer but the use of testosterone for instance is linked to various cancers, among which pancreatic cancer.
How 'bout brain, lung and testicular cancer, all at the same time?
-bobo
RIP, thanks for the great memories!
Very sad day for cycling indeed. I just finished reading his book on Sunday night. A great read. Certainly, one of the more thoughtful campions that cycling has seen. Unlike his american rival, he demonstrated dignity and honesty up to the end.
Some drug use is linked to testicular cancer. Ignore the signals (random pick…elevated beta-hcg…) and you could let it metastasize to the brain, lungs, lymph nodes, etc.
So sad, and far too early. It is sad because he passed away before he was able to share his stories, insights and wisdom about cycling with more people. In 1990 I raced in the Race of the Grapes in southern Belgium. Laurent was there and raced. With his game face on he was pensive and stoic. Intimidating.
Fignon had a bit of a hapless career. -Most (in)famous for the crushing defeat in the 1989 Tour de France at the hands of LeMond by a scant 7 seconds… or was it 9 seconds? Fignon’s first Tour victory was largely the result of combined talent and opportunity when a list of favorites toppled and Fignon was ready to ascend as race winner. He was a prodigy, developing young through the French system of cycling development- a brutal culling through the club teams.
In his later years Fignon was an investor in a successful French sporting goods retailer that does a brisk trade in triathlon retail. He recognized the popularity of triathlon and admired the athleticism.
He was a quiet, introspective fellow- dignified and reserved off the bike, handsome with his own style of the flowing hair and the professor glasses.
Very greatly missed. The end of an era: The Fignon era.
How 'bout brain, lung and testicular cancer, all at the same time?
-bobo
Please learn the difference between brain, lung and testicular cancer “all at the same time” and a single cancer that metastasizes to other tissues. Big difference.
Sam Abt had a great quote on Fignon (paraphrasing as best I remember):
All of Gaul is divided into three camps regrading Laurent Fignon:
Those who don’t like him.
Those who don’t like him, but are willing to overlook their feelings as long as he wins.
Those who don’t like him, but are are willing to overlook their feelings as long as he loses.
The third group is by far the largest…
IMO, Fignon was a jerk in his younger years, but a sage later on. The man who just passed is someone you could really admire and respect.
That is an excellent quote. I love Abt.
Thanks for posting that.
VeloNews remembers in pictures:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/08/road/laurent-fignon-remembered-in-photos_137455
.
Do you remember the Winning magazine photo of Fignon dousing his feet in Perrier?
Please learn when someone is quoting Lance directly from “Dodgeball”.
I had just gotten into cycling in 1984…I bought myself my first decent roadbike (some Trek), and picked up this typo-ridden magazine about bicycle racing called “Winning”. I remember clearly reading about the 1984 TDF and the battle between Hinault and Fignon, with Luis Herrera and Greg Lemond in the mix as well. Fast forward to 1989 and the incredible battle between Fignon and Lemond, with the dramatic finish in Paris.
RIP, indeed; Laurent Fignon will always have a place in my fond memories of my first forays into cycling.
Spot
I had just gotten into cycling in 1984…I bought myself my first decent roadbike (some Trek), and picked up this typo-ridden magazine about bicycle racing called “Winning”. I remember clearly reading about the 1984 TDF and the battle between Hinault and Fignon, with Luis Herrera and Greg Lemond in the mix as well. Fast forward to 1989 and the incredible battle between Fignon and Lemond, with the dramatic finish in Paris.
RIP, indeed; Laurent Fignon will always have a place in my fond memories of my first forays into cycling.
Spot