Tour '83

Part 6 - Interview with Laurent Fignon

So who was this young unknown Laurent Fignon? Shortly after his victory in the 1983 Tour de France, Cyclist Monthly sent Jean-Marie Leblanc (now the organiser of the Tour de France, but in 1983 L'Equipe's senior cycling journalist) to find out. This is his interview. Comments in square brackets are my own.

Jean-Marie Leblanc: Laurent Fignon, if someone had told you at the start of the Tour de France that you would be the winner, what would have been your reaction?

Laurent Fignon: Frankly, I would have found such a forecast slightly exaggerated. Personally, I began the race hoping to win the white jersey of best newcomer, and with a chance of winning a stage. I also said to myself that if I did a good prologue, I would have a chance of wearing the yellow jersey for a day or two. But as I did badly, I soon put that thought out of my head. [Fignon's relative optimism was not totally misplaced - he had won the Criterium Internationale and come 15th in the Giro in his first season, and followed it up with 8th and a stage win in the Vuelta a couple of months before the '83 Tour. Both rides were in support of his leader Hinault.]

And then there was the abandon of Pascal Simon which gave you this yellow jersey on a plate...

That's true, but I didn't get in that position by doing nothing. After all, I had moved up in the big stage in the Pyrenees. That day, I felt immediately that breaks would develop. And, behind Millar and Jimenez, I also found an opening. On finishing seventh in that 10th stage, I found myself in second place overall. That was a good move. But the race was far from over. I couldn't predict that Simon's crash on the road to Fleurance would simplify my task.

Exactly, it is said that on that day you exploited Simon's accident.

That's not true. The previous evening, with Cyrille Guimard, we had decided to make the most of any weakness shown by the yellow jersey. Well, Simon fell, but we didn't know it was serious and we attacked him in good faith. Otherwise, you will have seen in the following days, we didn't attack, knowing the state of his health.

That's true. But you must admit that it's an injustice to lose a race like the Tour de France in such conditions.

I know what injustice is. You will recall that I lost the Blois-Chaville classic last year in identical circumstances. I was alone in the lead 20 kilometres from the finish when I crashed because a crank broke. It was hard to get over that deception during the following weeks, and I should imagine it is the same for Pascal.

Winner of the Tour de France at your first attempt, in only your second season as a professional, that's astonishing, isn't it?

Yes, I never expected such rapid progress

Especially when, as an amateur, you were not among the best riders in your generation...

That's true, I didn't have a great record as an amateur. I was a bit "crazy". I attacked all the time, and I finished as most races as best I could, completely spent. Besides, I've always enjoyed stage races as I seem to recuperate well, from one day to another.

All the same, you have changed, to be capable of succeeding so soon at the highest level.

Yes, and that has staggered me. Where I feel most at ease, is in the finishes of races. I've aquired a certain "punch" and I often feel like attacking.

Do you have any explanation for this adaption to the rhythm of professional racing?

Frankly, no. It is just the style of racing which suits my temperament, I think. Even more, I prefer the Italian style of racing where you can be certain that everything important will take place in the final kilometres. In the Tour de France, it's not the same. You know, there are breaks all day, and you always have to be on the alert.

To such a point that you practically lost the yellow jersey when Arroyo and Winnen figured in one of the breaks. [This was on the stage to Morzine].

That's right, that was the only dangerous situation I had. I had lost more than four minutes on them, and it needed all the efforts of my teammates, [Alain] Vigneron, [Pascal] Poisson and [Marc] Madiot to get me out of that hole.

You are too modest. The race followers had the impression that you never panicked, and that it was your strength of character which got you through.

I don't know where this determination came from. I believe it's something that I've developed over the years.

Do you know the Alps any better than the Pyrenees?

No, but the mountains don't worry me particularly. I don't have the build of a climber, since I weigh 67 kilos for 1 metre 74, but I can force myself to climb. I always have problems at the start of a climb, but things improve gradually, as I find a rhythm.

And on the tactical side, you've also quickly aquired a certain skill.

There is nothing to learn. It's an instinct and I would say that for a leader it is relatively simple. You let your teammates react to a situation, then, when it is necessary, you go into action to finish off their work. That's what I did on the stage to Morzine to get back with Arroyo and Winnen.

Did you have any difficult moments in the Tour de France?

Yes, only one, and an unexpected one, because it came during the team time trial on the third day, even though this is something of a speciality of mine. It's stupid, but I felt the beginning of a hunger knock, and I wasn't much help to my teammates that day. As for the cobbles, it was the first time I'd encountered them as I've never ridden Paris-Roubaix, but everything went well. After that, I only had one or two minor problems, sore hands after the Roubaix stage and slight conjunctivitis on the stages to Le Mans and Nantes.

But generally you appear to enjoy excellent health

That's true, I'm never ill and I feel that good health is a basic need for a professional cyclist.

But to see you in such form for the Tour de France after a pretty hectic early season, that's still surprising, isn't it?

I don't feel that I have raced to much this year. I did take part in the Tour of Sardinia, Tirreno-Adriatico, the Criterium Internationale, the Tour of America, the Tour of the Vaucluse, the Tour of Spain and the Tour of Switzerland [this for a 22 year old 2nd year professional!] but that is a life I enjoy. And then, I didn't compete in a single classic.

But one day, we will see you in the classics, because you have the right attitude to succeed. [A prescient remark, given Fignon's later record!]

Of course, one day I will take part in all the big classics. I'm still a little hesitant about them, as I hate the cold. Even when I am on form, I'm very vulnerable in bad weather. I use up a huge amount of energy, I eat and eat, but hunger knock can affect me at any old time.

After winning this Tour de France, aren't you going to clash directly with Bernard Hinault?

Not necessarily. After all, it's not certain that next year we will both be wearing the same colours.As for me, I'm open to any offer. And it is not certain, despite the contract that in principle keeps him with Renault until the end of 1986, that Bernard Hinault will remain with Renault. [In fact Hinault did move to a new team, La Vie Claire, for 1984 following a much publiciced row with Guimard in the 1983 Vuelta. But this new team had not been announced at the time that Fignon was being interviewed].

Even so, if we remain in the same team, that doesn't upset me at all, beacuse I appreciate Bernard's qualities as a champion. I think there's room for both of us. And believe me, it's much better to race with Hinault than against him!

You appear to be ambitious though...

Yes I am.

That's because of your profession?

Doubtless. It's also perhaps a characteristic of people of my generation. We are a bit "stroppy". Anyway, with the professionals, you can't be hesitant, otherwise you're cast in a mould.

Generally speaking, are you strict in looking after yourself?

Not particularly. Unless I have a special race to prepare for. I like to keep a long term plan. From this point of view, I see eye to eye with Cyrille Guimard. But, considering where I am today, I'm not really a training fanatic. I need periods of relaxation.

You seem to be one of the "intellectuals" among French riders. With these doping "affairs" that are dividing the sport at the moment, don't you want to speak out on behalf of the others?

Intellectual is perhaps too grand a word. I was a student, that's true. When I was younger I wanted to be a vetinary surgeon, but you can't do two things at once. To race well, you must concentrate. And there is no question of getting involved in unions or taking on such responsibilities during the season. In the winter, yes, I would like to talk more about cycling...

Guimard is more of a practical guy than an intellectual. Do you feel that he managed you well during this Tour?

Cyrille knew how to pace me, and to control my temperament. I often had the intention of attacking during the Tour, to take the yellow jersey, particularly when I was lying second. Each time, Cyrille stopped me, and I know now that he was right, and that I had to be patient.

What made you choose this profession in the first place?

Like everyone who starts bike racing, I dreamt about the Tour de France when I began, but since the first race I stopped dreaming... it all seemed so hard, an improbable dream...

And the reality today, is it better than the dream?

Yes, it's fantastic. But now I have made my name I must keep my feet on the ground. And I think that this first win in the Tour de France, despite my age, won't force me into bad ways. I want to prove my worth, I want to last a long time, and I know only too well that the hardest part is just beginning...

Other Parts:
Part 1: Prologue to Pyrennes
Part 2: The rise and rise of Robert Millar
Part 3: Showdown in the Alps
Part 4: Results
Part 5: Interview with Robert Millar
Part 6: Interview with Laurent Fignon