We Were Young and Carefree

Laurent Fignon was never just another rider in the peloton. The pony‑tailed, sharp‑tongued Frenchman became one of cycling’s biggest stars in the early 1980s, winning the Tour de France twice and defining a new era of bold, attacking racing. But for many fans, he’s forever linked to that heartbreaking eight‑second defeat to Greg LeMond in 1989 — the closest Tour finish in history.

In this brutally honest autobiography, Fignon pulls no punches. He lifts the lid on the friendships, rivalries, betrayals, late‑night parties, and the ever‑present shadow of performance‑enhancing drugs that shaped professional cycling during its so‑called golden age. He’s as tough on himself as he is on the sport, offering a rare, unfiltered look at what life was really like behind the scenes.

More than a memoir, this is a portrait of a fearless competitor and a sport on the edge of transformation — a time when cyclists were treated like heroes, the stakes were sky‑high, and nothing was off‑limits.

A gripping, unforgettable read for fans of cycling history, sporting memoirs, and anyone fascinated by the legends who shaped the modern Tour.