#so touching

“Laurent, mon ami”, by Greg LeMond.

Words from Greg LeMond about Laurent Fignon:

“Laurent is a very intelligent person with an iron will. Laurent was my rival, and most people think we were enemies. That’s not true.

I always had affection for Laurent.

He was my teammate from 1982 to 1984. We shared many great moments at Renault, and I always admired his strong personality.

I don’t know why, but I always felt sorry for Laurent.

He says that if he had used a triathlon handlebar like I did in the 1989 Champs-Élysées time trial, he would have beaten me.

But that equipment was available to him as well!

For years, the memory of the 1989 Tour was painful for me. Most people only remember that Laurent lost the Tour that year, but they forget he was one of the greatest riders of his generation.

The 1989 Tour should have had two winners.

The official record should show two names on the top line: Laurent Fignon and Greg LeMond. We both won that race, and we both deserved it.

I consider Laurent a three-time Tour winner. Who knows how many Tours he could have won if injuries hadn’t held him back for so many years.

I will always see him as one of my greatest rivals, but also as one of my best teammates.

Laurent may not remember what he did for me during the 1984 Tour, but I do.

He led me in the final climbs to Morzine. I might have lost my third place without his help.

That’s what I remember… along with the dinners we shared during our last Tours. Foie gras, duck confit, and plenty of wine. I’ll bring it this time, Laurent!”

✒️🗒️ Comments collected by the newspaper, Le Monde on July 6, 2009.