Bjarne Lykkegård Riis, nicknamed The Eagle from Herning, is a Danish former professional road bicycle racer who placed first in the 1996 Tour de France. For many years he was the owner and later manager of the Oleg Tinkov associated Russian UCI WorldTeam Tinkoff–Saxo. Other career highlights include placing first in the Amstel Gold Race in 1997, multiple Danish National Championships, and stage wins in the Giro d'Italia. On 25 May 2007, he admitted that he placed first in the Tour de France using banned substances, and he was no longer considered the winner by the Tour's organizers. In July 2008, the Tour reconfirmed his victory but with an asterisk label to indicate his doping offences.
Riis at the 2007 Tour of California.
Riis attacking during the stage to Hautacam at the 1996 Tour de France
Riis with Team Système U (1989)
Riis as director of Team CSC (2007 Tour of California)
The 1996 Tour de France was the 83rd edition of the Tour de France, starting on 29 June and ending on 21 July, featuring 19 regular stages, 2 individual time trials, a prologue and a rest day. It was won by Danish rider Bjarne Riis.
Bjarne Riis (pictured in 1989) won the general classification
Bjarne Riis attacking Miguel Induráin, Richard Virenque, and others on the stage to Hautacam
The first three in the General classification: from left: Jan Ullrich, Bjarne Riis and Richard Virenque
