PARIS — Two-time Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon says he has advanced cancer in the digestive system and is undergoing chemotherapy.
Fignon announced his illness on Thursday. He says doctors told him the cancer probably wasn’t caused by taking performance-enhancing drugs during his career.
Fignon has written a book, “We were Young and Carefree,” in which he describes his use of amphetamines and cortisone. The 48-year-old Frenchman won the Tour in 1983 and 1984.
“Two months ago, I was diagnosed with cancer of the digestive tract,” Fignon said in an interview with Europe-1 radio. “I started chemotherapy two weeks ago. It’s going well.”
He said he will have more tests after the Tour de France.
Seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong sent Fignon a message of support via Twitter.
“Sending out my best to Laurent Fignon who was recently dx w/cancer,” he wrote. “A friend, a great man, and a cycling legend. Livestrong Laurent!!”
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