Bernard Hinault Photo Gallery
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Bernard Hinault (Born November 14, 1954) is the last complete French rider. Nicknamed "The Badger" (le Blaireau), Hinault's record puts him on par with the other greats of cycling history. His strong personality and great physical power allowed him to dominate the other racers and made him peloton's leader. As a young pro he led the riders' strike over poor riding conditions in the 1978 Tour de France.
Hinault won the Tour de France five times, the Giro d'Italia three times and the Vuelta a España twice. Plus, he's been World Champion, won six of the classics and the Grand Prix de Nations five times. Extraordinary.
Mid career he was plagued with knee problems that probably kept him from winning the 1980 Tour de France. The 1985 and 1986 Tours de France are still a source of disagreement. In 1985, teammate Greg LeMond was riding into fabulous form while Hinault was troubled with a broken nose and bronchial troubles. Told Hinault was a few seconds behind on a climb, LeMond was ordered to wait, but Hinault was far back down the mountain, costing LeMond at least a stage victory and most likely, the 1985 Tour. Hinault promised to help LeMond win the 1986 Tour, but reneged, making LeMond's victory in 1986 one of the most dramatic and fascinating rides in Tour history.
Professional career: 1975 - 1987
Professional teams:
1975 - 1977: Gitane-Campagnolo
1978 - 1983: Renault-Elf-Gitane
1984 - 1986: La Vie Claire
Major Victories:
1975: Circuit de la Sarthe
1976: Paris - Camembert, Tour de l'Aude, Tour du Limousin, Circuit de la Sarthe
1977: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Gent-Wevelgem, Dauphiné Libéré, Grand Prix des Nations, Tour du Limousin
1978: French Championship, Vuelta a España (with 5 stages), Critérium National, Tour de France (with 3 stages), Grand Prix des Nations
1979: Tour de France (points jersey, 7 stages), Flèche Wallonne, Dauphiné Libéré, Grand Prix de Nations
1980: World Championship, Giro d'Italia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour de Romandie
1981: Tour de France (5 stage wins), Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold, Critérium National
1982: Giro d'Italia (5 stage wins), Tour de France (points jersey, 4 stage wins), Grand Prix de Nations, Tour du Luxembourg, Criterium des As
1983: Vuelta a España (2 stage wins), Flèche Wallonne, GP Pino Cerami
1984: Grand Prix de Nations, 4 Days of Dunkirk, Giro di Lombardia, Trofeo Baracchi
1985 Tour de France (3 stage wins), Giro d'Italia
1986: Coors Classic
Photos:
1979 Tour de France, stage 17: Hinault on the Galibier. The stage finished at l'Alpe d'Huez. That should be Joop Zoetemelk on his wheel.
Probably a 1980 photo
Bernard Hinault with Wladimiro Panizza (pink jersey) in stage 18 of the 1980 Giro d'Italia
Bernard Hinault executing one of cycling's great set-pieces on the Passo dello Stelvio in stage 20 of the 1980 giro d'Italia.
Bernard Hinault in the 1980 Giro d'Italia
1980 Tour de France, stage 4: Bernard Hinault riding to victory in the Spa 34.6 km individual time trial
1981: Hinault on a cold day.
Bernard Hinault winning the prologue individual time trial of the 1981 Tour de France
1981 Tour de France, stage 18: Hinault wins the hilltop finish at Le Pleynet.
1982 Giro d'Italia: the first three pink jerseys, from left: Laurent Fignon, Bernard Hinault and Patrick Bonnet
Bernard Hinault in the 1982 Giro d'Italia
1982 Giro d'Italia, stage 19: Giuseppe Saronni wins the sprint in Pinerolo from pink-clad Bernard Hinault. Tommy Prim in a blue Bianchi jersey is third
Hinault time trials to La Ruchere in stage 15 of the 1984 Tour de France.
Hinault ride up l'Alpe d'Huez in the 1984 Tour de France.
Hinault wins the 1984 Giro di Lombardia by almost a minute
Hinault leads in stage 7 of the 1985 Giro.
1985 Giro d'Italia, stage 22: Hinault time trials to Lucca.
Bernard Hinault wins the 1985 Giro d'Italia
Hinault riding to victory in the prologue of the 1985 Tour de France
This should be the famous stage 17 of the 1985 Tour de France; Hinault is in trouble because of his crash in stage 15.
Heroes of Paris-Roubaix at the 2005 edition, from left: Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle, Bernard Hinault, Andrea and Mrs. Tafi, Francesco Moser
Hinault at the 2010 Paris-Roubaix
Hinault at the 2013 Tour Down Under
Hinault with a small friend at the 2013 Tour Down Under