Didi The Devil set to retire

Grand Tour regular Didi 'The Devil' Senft will hang up his trident after appearing at the Tour de France since 1993

Didi The Devil with an angel on stage 19 of the 2006 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Having been a regular fixture at the roadside during the past two decades of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, Dieter 'Didi The Devil' Senft looks set to hang up his trident.

Senft's distinctive red costume, bushy beard and decorated trident have appeared in the Tour on numerous occasions, usually during a key mountain stage. But now, the 62-year-old German has decided that enough is enough after recent poor health and lack of sponsorship.

German paper Bild reports that lack of television coverage of the Tour in Germany has led to lack of interest in sponsoring Senft's efforts. His current income is €500 per month, which he says does not cover his costs of travelling to races.

Senft underwent surgery in 2012 to remove a blood clot in his brain, and was forced to miss the Tour that year, but returned in 2013.

Senft is also known for his inventions and over-sized bicycles, which he regularly takes to events and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest rideable bike.

There will no doubt be a slew of imitators now Senft has retired, but there will only ever be one Didi The Devil.

Photos by Graham Watson and Yuzuru Sunada

Didi The Devil at the 2000 Olympic Games

Not just the Tour de France: Didi The Devil at the 2000 Olympic Games
(Image credit: Watson)

Didi the Devil with record-breaking bike at the 80th Tour de France in 1993

With record-breaking bike at the 80th Tour de France in 1993
(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Didi The Devil jumps at the 2007 Tour de France

Jumping for joy at the 2007 Tour
(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Running alongside Gilberto Simoni and Danilo Di Luca on the Col d'Izoard during the 2007 Giro d'Italia

Running alongside Gilberto Simoni and Danilo Di Luca on the Col d'Izoard during the 2007 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Didi the Devil in Monaco for the 2009 Tour de France

Didi in Monaco for the 2009 Tour de France
(Image credit: Watson)

Didi The Devil swaps his red outfit for a pink one at the 2012 Giro d'Italia

Swapping his red outfit for a pink one at the 2012 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Watson)

Didi The Devil runs next to Robert Gesink during the 2013 Tour de France

In yellow at the 2013 Tour and running next to Robert Gesink
(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

 

After two decades at the races, Didi will now retire

After two decades at the races, Didi will now retire
(Image credit: Watson)

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