Death of Tom Simpson

Tom Simpson (30 November 1937 – 13 July 1967) was a British professional cyclist, one of Britain's most successful of all time. Simpson died of exhaustion during the 13th stage of the Tour de France on 13 July 1967. The death of Tom Simpson marked a significant event in the history of professional cycling.

Early Life and Career

Tom Simpson was born in Haswell, County Durham, England. He began his professional cycling career in 1959 with the Rapha-Gitane-Dunlop team. Simpson quickly rose to prominence, winning the Bordeaux-Paris race in 1963 and becoming the first British rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.

Death

On 13 July 1967, during the 13th stage of the Tour de France, Simpson collapsed and died on the ascent of Mont Ventoux. The official cause of death was heart failure caused by a combination of extreme heat, exhaustion, and the use of amphetamines and alcohol, which were found in his system during the post-mortem examination. His death led to a major reconsideration of drug use in professional cycling and the implementation of stricter doping controls.

Legacy

Simpson's death had a profound impact on professional cycling. It led to increased scrutiny of drug use in the sport and the introduction of more rigorous doping controls. A memorial to Simpson was erected near the spot where he died on Mont Ventoux, and it has become a shrine for many cycling fans.

See Also

• History of the Tour de France
• Doping in sport
• Professional cycling