Road racing specialist who won the Tour de France five times: in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1974.
He won his first race on October 1, 1961, as an amateur rider, not long after he began racing competitively.
He was a world champion three times as a professional, and also once as an amateur.
He married Claudine Acou in 1967.
Though they raced in different eras, he was a friend and supporter of fellow Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
