Roger Pingeon —the wader takes flight

Pingeon was a classic example of a swash-buckling colossus with feet of clay, alternating stellar exhibitions with moments of astonishing weakness. His career was a long series of mammoth breakaways, the most famous of which took him to victory in the 1967 Tour de France. Pingeon, who was nicknamed "the wader" for his lanky physique (1.82 m and 72 kg), spun his long legs in the afternoon of 4 July 1967 to leave the peloton behind and grab a stage win in the aptly named Belgian town of Jambes (which means 'legs' in French). He then managed to resist the onslaught of his adversaries until Paris, especially on the gruelling slopes of Mont Ventoux, where Tom Simpson lost his life that same year.
"His adventures and collapses made him the epitome of romantic cycling", said Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France. "He was a hot-tempered rider who sometimes got angry, with fragile morale but extraordinary abilities."
Roger Pingeon was a rider like no other who excelled in solo efforts. His exploits on the bike and personality left his mark on the era and the sport alike.
The four-time Tour de France stage winner's passion for the race burned bright until the very end. He was scheduled to read a text for the Dictée du Tour de France —a spelling bee held in the host cities of the Tour— in Dole next Friday.