Reported by James Raia:
“The devil has retired. Didi Senft, the eccentric German cycling fan who for 20 years or so, found his way to near the top of harsh mountain passes in the Tour de France and other races while dressed as a devil, told a German newspaper he’s done. Senft, 62, has had health issues, including missing the 2012 Tour de France because of a blood clot. He also said he can no longer afford attending the Tour since his sponsorship money has dwindled to about 500 Euros per month. In his heyday, Senft was a one-man (one-devil?) amusement for fans and TV broadcasters. He often got more airtime in mountain stages than most riders.”
El Diablo in London before the start of the 2007 Tour Prologue
His costume came from the days of Claudio Chiapucci who was nicknamed the devil (el diablo). Even though Chiapucci had long since retired, his biggest fan continued to be a fixture at the Tour de France since 1992.
Chiapucci stage in ahead of Ghirotto in the 1993 Tour de France at Pau
