Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson’s name is permanently ingrained in British Tour de France history, and indeed he became the first Brit to wear the race’s famous leader’s jersey.
On his way to a career-best sixth overall, Simpson pulled on the yellow jersey in the Pyrenees after putting time into previous leader Willy Schroeders.
His day in yellow was to prove to be his only one, however, Jef Planckaert took over the race lead on the following day’s mountain time trial before Jacques Anquetil went on to take Tour victory.
Simpson, of course, was to go on to win two Vuelta a Espana stages, in 1967, before his untimely death after collapsing on Mont Ventoux at the Tour.
Later found to have had a deadly combination of alcohol and amphetamines in the extreme heat, Simpson died aged just 29.
Tour de France starts: 7
Best Tour de France result: 6th (1962)
Number of yellow jerseys: 1