Creator of Etoile de Bessèges, Roland Fangille died at Alès hospital on the night of November 18 to 19, 2020 at the age of 81.
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Star of Bessèges
Hospitalized in Alès after contracting the coronavirus, Roland Fangille died at 81 years old.
He was the creator of the Etoile de Bessèges, the first stage race on the professional calendar, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this year.
The faith of this enthusiast, a great friend of Raymond Poulidor, has sometimes lifted the mountains to maintain this test which has crowned several world champions and winners of the great classics.
Roland Fangille died on the night of Wednesday to Thursday at the Alès hospital center.
This Lorraine resident in the Gard created the Etoile de Bessèges 50 years ago.
The event established itself in the international calendar by opening the professional cycling season of stage races.
The test had been so named because of the geometric figure formed by its stages.
It is considered to be an important preparatory race for Paris-Nice.
Passionate about the little queen, he was a close friend of Raymond Poulidor.
"Poupou" had participated in the first edition in 1971. He was then one of the 22 participants of the event.
He went there every year, as a cyclist and later as a guest.
He never won it, unlike other big names in cycling such as world champions Jan Raas (road) and Adrie Van der Poel (cyclo-cross), or even Thomas Voeckler, Tony Gallopin and many others. 'other.
"A great cycling man has just left us"
“A great cycling man has just left us,” says Daniel Mangeas.
The famous speaker of the world of cycling pays homage to this character “full of empathy with his woolen cycling cap screwed to his head.
He was everyone's friend ”.
The UCB has the immense sorrow to inform you of the death of its President Roland FANGILLE which occurred in his 82nd year.
A tireless organizer for 50 years, his memory will forever be engraved in our hearts.
Thank you Roland, your friends from UCB and from "l'Etoile" will never forget you pic.twitter.com/YaSkZW22vk
- Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (@Etoile_Besseges) November 19, 2020
The Groupama-FDJ cycling team is sad to learn of the death of Roland Fangille, creator of the Étoile de Bessèges.
Our condolences to his family, friends and volunteers who helped him organize this important race on the French calendar.
- Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team (@GroupamaFDJ) November 19, 2020
This furniture dealer held the ordeal at arm's length, with one or two employees depending on the year, and an army of volunteers, at the heart of his philosophy and his love for cycling.
The winners of the event testify to its success.
But he does not say anything about the difficult times, the balancing act which has sometimes held to the permanent miracle to make ends meet.
And, sometimes, to the scolding of the runners when the racing conditions, in the heart of winter on this Cévennes land, were too harsh.
His unwavering faith made it possible to lift mountains.
Roland Fangille was 81 years old.
He had been hospitalized ten days ago after contracting Covid-19.
He did not survive the virus.
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