FILE - In this June 9, 1999 file photo Ferdy Kuebler, Swiss cycling legend, is pictured in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Kuebler, who came back from injury and the interruption of World War II to win the 1950 Tour de France died on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 at the age of 97. (Martin Ruetschi/Keystone via AP file) (The Associated Press)
LONDON – Ferdy Kuebler, who came back from injury and the interruption of World War II to win the 1950 Tour de France, has died. He was 97.
The Swiss won an epic battle with French rider Louison Bobet in the 1950 race, and became world champion the following year.
Andre Haefliger, the chief reporter at Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrierte, said from Kuebler's home in Switzerland on Friday that he could confirm the death on behalf of Kuebler's widow. Kuebler died Thursday at a Zurich hospital.
For many, his biggest achievement was winning the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege races, then held on successive days, in both 1951 and 1952.
Kuebler also won the 1953 Bordeaux-to-Paris after 570 kilometers (356 miles) and more than 14 hours in the saddle.
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