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Laurent Fignon Book Prize Draw

July 2010

With the Tour de France well underway, British Cycling is offering members the chance to win a copy of the newly published memoir of French cycling legend Laurent Fignon, "We Were Young and Carefree", translated from the French by William Fotheringham.

All you have to do is answer this simple question: Who defeated Fignon in 1989 Tour de France, by the margin of just 8 seconds?

Send your answer in an email to editor@britishcycling.org.uk with "Fignon Competition" in the subject field. Don't forget to include your name, address and British Cycling membership number.

The draw will be made on 1 August 2010 and all winners will be notified by email.

Review:

"We Were Young and Carefree" is an evocative memoir of an iconic rider. Laurent Fignon was at his peak at around the time I started to watch the Tour de France. His distinctive sweatband, glasses and ponytail combo made him a stand-out rider in a sport where much of the TV coverage centres on the face and head.

He was dubbed "The professor" by the peloton and the press, for no more reason than that his glasses gave him a slightly studious air. In reality, it seems that his outstanding qualities were not so much his intellect as his directness and self confidence. This naturally made him a difficult man to rub along with in the competitive and jealous world of pro road cycling.

Fignon - through the clean, crisp translation of William Fotheringham - is especially good on his rivalries with the two giants of the era, Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault. He's also refreshingly frank about the transitory nature of the God-like sporting prowess required to compete at the highest level.

In an era when the mystique of pre road racing was only just beginning to come under threat from the more empirical approach which is so prevalent today, Fignon's clear-sighted, if opinionated, observations offer a welcome insight into a sporting world on the edge of change and turmoil.

Phil Ingham

British Cycling Competitions and Prize Draws T's and C's

1. Unless otherwise stated, British Cycling competitions and prize draws are open to participants aged 16 or over who are UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man residents only, excluding employees and their immediate families of British Cycling and its agents or anyone else associated with the administration of this promotion.

2. British Cycling competitions and prize draws will run for a period specific to that competition or prize draw.

3. No purchase necessary: To enter British Cycling competitions and prize draws, follow the instructions above or send your name and address and answer on a postcard, with the name of the competition to The Editor, British Cycling website, British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ. No applications from agents, third parties, organised groups or applications automatically generated by computer will be accepted. Incomplete, late or illegible entries or those not in accordance with the entry instructions will not be accepted. One prize per winning entry whether individual or family membership.

4. One entry per person or family membership is permitted into British Cycling competitions and prize draws. Some exclusions may apply.

6. On occasions, we may substitute prizes for competitions and prize draws with alternatives that we deem suitable.

7. Winners of competitions and prize draws will be notified by whatever contact means we have available. British Cycling cannot accept responsibility for unawarded prizes as a result of our team being unable to contact winners by the means given to us by entrants.

8. No cash or other alternative prizes are available

9. For a list of winners' names and counties please send an SAE, stating the name of the competition or prize draw to The Editor, British Cycling website, British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ

10. Winners may be asked to take part in any reasonable publicity relating to this or future competition or prize draw as required.

11. By entering the promotion, participants agree to be bound by the conditions set out in this document and any other conditions associated with the condition or prize draw, as well as any terms and conditions of prize providers.

12. The decision of the Promoter in all matters shall be final and binding and no correspondence shall be entered into. Promoter: British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ.