José Samyn

José Samyn (11 May 1946 – 28 August 1969) was a French professional road bicycle racer who died during a race in Zingem, Belgium.

Samyn was born in Quiévrain, Belgium to a Belgian mother and French father, he took French nationality in 1964 . As an amateur, he won the 1965 French Military Cycling Championship. In 1967, he won a stage of the Tour de France. The following year, however, a dope test carried out during the Tour proved positive. Samyn was expelled from the race, suspended for one month and fined.

He was the first winner of the GP Fayt-le-Franc, and after his death at Zingem the race was renamed Le Samyn (or Memorial Samyn) in his honor.

Major results

1967 Grand Prix de Denain Solesmes Tour de France: Winner stage 11 1968 Circuit du Port de Dunkerque GP Fayt-le-Franc Wingene 1969 Tour de Picardie