The Irish cyclist celebrates his 57th birthday on Monday and he will be able to look back fondly on a glittering career.

In 13-years he amassed 58 professional wins, but his standout year came almost 30 years ago in 1987. Roche became only the second cyclist – the other being Eddy Merckx – to win the so-called Triple Crown of cycling, the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the World Championship.

He did so a year after he shattered his knee, which meant he rode the rest of his career in agony. Roche has been through a lot with cycling. He was kicked, spat at and punched by an angry Italian mob when he beat their favourite and his team-mate Roberto Visentini at the 1987 Giro.

He also needed emergency oxygen when he literally pushed himself to unconsciousness to win the Tour de France that year. He’ll no doubt be enjoying retirement.

More sporting birthdays on this day:

1977: Fabio Grosso, former defender, who scored the winning penalty in the 2006 World Cup final for Italy (39).

1984: Marc-Andre Fleury, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh and Olympics champ with Canada (32).

1984: Andrew Bogut, the Australian owns an NBA Championship ring with Golden State, now with Dallas (32).

1987: Craig Kieswetter, former wicket-keeper batsmen for England who retired because of an eye injury (29).