In the thirteenth stage of the 1967 Tour de France,
Simpson collapsed and died during the ascent of Mont
Ventoux. He was 29 years old. The post-mortem examina-
tion found that he had mixed amphetamines and alcohol;
this diuretic combination proved fatal when combined with
the heat, the hard climb of the Ventoux and a stomach
complaint. A memorial near where he died has become a
place of pilgrimage for many cyclists. Simpson was known
to have taken performance-enhancing drugs during his ca-
reer, when no doping controls existed. Despite this, he is
held in high esteem by many cyclists for his character and
will to win.Thomas "Tom" or "Tommy" Simpson (30 No-
vember 1937 – 13 July 1967) was one of Britain's most
successful professional cyclists. He was born inHaswell,
County Durham and later moved to Harworth, Notting-
hamshire. Simpson began road cycling as a teenager before
taking up track cycling, specialising in pursuit races. He
won a bronze medal for track cycling at the 1956 Sum-
mer Olympics and a silver at the 1958 British Empire and
Commonwealth Games.
