Simpson, Tommy (1937–1967)

English cyclist. He won the 1965 world professional road race championship.

He turned professional in 1960, winning his first classic race, the Tour of Flanders, a year later. In 1962 he became the first British rider to wear the leader's yellow jersey in the Tour de France. He reinforced his reputation as a top road-racer with wins in the Bordeaux–Paris event in 1963 and the Milan–San Remo classic in 1964. His best year was 1965, when he won both the world professional road race and the Tour of Lombardy. He died tragically after collapsing on Mount Ventoux in the Tour de France, his death precipitated by the use of stimulants.