Lech Piasecki Explained

Lech Piasecki
Fullname:	Lech Piasecki
Birth Date:	13 November 1961
Birth Place:	Poznań, Poland
Currentteam:	Retired
Discipline:	Road/Track
Role:	Rider
Proyears1:	1986 - 1988
Proteam1:	Del Tongo
Proyears2:	1989
Proteam2:	Malvor-Sidi
Proyears3:	1990
Proteam3:	Diana-Colnago
Proyears4:	1991
Proteam4:	Colnago-Lampre
Majorwins:	Grand Tours Giro d'Italia 5 individual stages (1986, 1988, 1989)

Lech Piasecki (born 13 November 1961) 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.^[1]

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.^[2] His first victory as a professional cyclist was in a time trial in the 1986 Giro d'Italia, where he beat many favourites.^[3] 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.^[4] In the 1987 Tour de France, Piasecki became second in the prologue, and took the yellow jersey after finishing in the lead group of Stage 2. After he lost the lead on Stage 4, he had to abandon the 7th stage due to illness.^[5] On August 24, 1988 he became World Track Champion in individual pursuit. The following year Piasecki put forth a remarkable performance during the 1989 Giro d'Italia by winning three stages including two ITT stages, as well as a high mountain stage.