Happy birthday to Roger Pingeon who was born on August 28, 1940, and died on March 19, 2017.
The French rider is best known for winning the 1967 Tour de France ahead of Julio Jimenez of Spain and Franco Balmanion of Italy.
Additionally, Pigeon won the 1969 Vuelta a Espana ahead of Luis Ocana of Spain and Marinus Wagtmans of Holland.
Pingeon also finished 2nd in the 1969 Tour de France behind Eddy Merckx of Belgium.
In addition to his Grand Tour victories, Pigeon also won several lesser known races in and around France such as the Criterium du Dauphiné Libéré, Tour de Suisse, Grand Prix de Plumelec, Prix de Saint-Claud and the Prix de La Bastide.
Pingeon grew up near the Jura Mountains, taking up cross-country skiing as a teenager before cycling.
Conscription later required the young Pingeon to spend two years in Algeria on military service before starting his professional cycling career.
He raced as a professional from 1964 to 1974. After retiring from competition he worked as a consultant for Radio Télévision Suisse between 1979 and 1998.
Pingeon died on 19 March 2017 at his home in the village of Beaupont in the Ain department, about 100 kilometers away from his hometown of Hauteville-Lompnes, after suffering a heart attack.
Bon anniversaire Roger!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
