Former cycling champion Laurent Fignon has died of cancer at the age of 50. The Frenchman won the Tour de France twice – in 1983 and 1984. He was involved in perhaps the most thrilling race in Tour history in 1989, when he lost by just eight seconds to American rival Greg LeMond.

Fignon won several other titles, including the Giro d’Italia, and the Milan-San Remo two years running.

In his book called “We were young and carefree”, the ex-champion admitted taking amphetamines and cortisone during his career – in his words “like everyone else”. He said he did not know whether there was a link between the drug-taking and the cancer he later developed.

After retiring, Laurent Fignon worked as a consultant for French television. He commentated at this summer’s Tour de France, despite his illness.

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