Rudi Altig dies; German cycling star was 79

FRANKFURT, Germany — The German cycling union says former star rider Rudi Altig has died of cancer. He was 79.

Altig won Germany’s last road world title in 1966. He won a total of 18 stages at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Spanish Vuelta. He wore the yellow jersey of Tour de France leader for 18 days.

The cycling union said Altig died on Saturday in a hospice in Remagen, western Germany.

He is survived by his second wife Monique and three children.

— AP