> In 1984, Hinault moved to the new La Vie Claire team, established by the French entrepreneur Bernard Tapie and directed by Swiss coach Paul Koechli.
> Fignon stayed with the Renault team and became team leader.
> In the 1984 Giro d'Italia, Fignon was in the lead near the end of the race, with Italian Francesco Moser in second place.
> The highest mountain stage, where Fignon could have extended his lead as the better climber, was cancelled by race organizers "due to bad weather".
> In one of the more outrageous actions of a major tour, on the final stage, an individual time trial, camera helicopters flew in front of Fignon, creating a headwind, and behind Moser, creating a tailwind.
> Though Fignon repeatedly shook his fists at the obstructing aircraft, they refused to move off. Moser ended up gaining enough time to take the overall race lead, with Fignon being moved back to second place.
> He later said the experience made him tougher and prepared him for the hardships to come.