Lech Piasecki

Who is Lech Piasecki?

Lech Piasecki is a Polish former racing cyclist. Born in Poznań, he became the first Polish cyclist to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, in 1987.

After Piasecki became Amateur world champion in 1985, the Colnago team wanted to sign him. The Polish cycling organisation allowed that in exchange for bicycles. His first victory as a professional cyclist was in a time trial in the 1986 Giro d'Italia, where he surprisingly beat many favourites. In 1987 he won the first stage of the Tirreno–Adriatico. It was a time trial in which he started early, and the wind changed direction after Piasecki finished, so the main favourites who started later had a disadvantage. In the 1987 Tour de France, Piasecki became second in the prologue, and took the yellow jersey in the team time trial. After he lost the lead, he had to abandon in the seventh stage due to diarrhea. On August 24, 1998 he became World Track Champion in individual pursuit.