Professional Cycling For the Fans - Tom Simpson - 40th anniversary

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pedalnut
07-13-07, 04:23 AM
Hi,

It's the 40th anniversary of the death of Tom Simpson on the Ventoux today - a real legend of British cycling.

As a keen cyclist from northern England I have always been interested in the story of Tom or Tommy Simpson - but there doesn't seem to be much coverage in the sports pages of national newspapers - a reflection of how cycling is covered generally I guess.

I've seen this story on the website of Simpson's local paper which is really good:

http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news?articleid=3026535

Has anyone else got any reflections or recollections of this great man?

I saw Elvis
07-13-07, 08:10 AM
Either the Guardian or Indy (can't remember which) ran a feature the weekend before Le Tour kicked off.
I think the way he died leaves a lot of people (myself included) unsure as to how to respond. (IMHO).

His death was a tragedy and he had achieved great things, but there are lot of people who feel uncomfortable with the dr ugs he'd taken and that were found on him.

Each generation will have it's hero's, but it is worth remembering that Tom paved the way for a generation of British cyclists to have a chance in mainland Europe. He made sponsors look outside the traditional heartlands of cycling for riders and for that, the classic victories and the Worlds I'll be raising a glass tonight (just after I've finished training).
merlinextraligh
07-13-07, 08:30 AM
http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/news/articles/12721.0.html