Which rider won the 1989 Tour de France by the smallest margin (8 seconds)?

Greg LeMond won the 1989 Tour de France by just 8 seconds, the smallest winning margin in the race’s history.

LeMond began the final stage trailing Laurent Fignon by 50 seconds. The deciding stage was a 24.5-kilometre individual time trial from Versailles to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. LeMond used aerodynamic handlebars, a tear-drop helmet, and a rear disc wheel, while Fignon rode with conventional handlebars and no helmet. LeMond gained 58 seconds on the stage, overturning the deficit and winning the overall race by eight seconds.

The result was especially dramatic because Fignon had worn the yellow jersey before the finale and believed his advantage was safe. LeMond finished the time trial in 26 minutes 57 seconds, averaging 54.545 km/h, while Fignon finished third on the stage.

The victory was also a remarkable comeback: LeMond had returned to elite racing after a near-fatal 1987 hunting accident. The 1989 Tour is still remembered as one of cycling’s greatest editions, with the final time trial deciding everything.