Hinault's triumph: Five victories and the last hard dog of the tour!

Hinault's triumph: Five victories and the last hard dog of the tour!

There are names in the world of cycling that stand for legends - one of these names is Bernard Hinault. Today, on July 8, 2025, the now 70-year-old former cyclist celebrates his impressive career, because Hinault is considered the last French driver who won the Tour de France. His five victories in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985 are milestones not only for him, but also for the entire French cycling.

Hinault, born November 14, 1954 in Yffiniac, France, showed his sportiness early on. With a height of 1.74 m and a weight of 62 kg, he not only brought the necessary physics for cycling, but also a combative spirit that earned him the nickname "Le Blaireau" or "Der Dachs". This name stands for his aggressive driving style, which accompanied him through his entire career. In total, Hinault can look back on 156 career successes, including 28 stage wins on the tour, more than any other French driver. [Welovecycling] (https://www.welovecycling.com/de/2025/07/fuenf-siege-eine- Hehinucht--tour-1985-eroberte/) reported on the decisive stages, which shaped his last victory in 1985, which took place in a gripping duel with his team-mate Greg Lemond.

The triumph from 1985

The triumph of Hinault in 1985 was particularly dramatic. After a knee surgery, he started and fell on the 14th stage, causing him to break a nose. Despite these adversity, he prevailed and secured the overall victory with a lead of 2:25 minutes. On the 17th stage he had to hand in 4:05 minutes, but after his fall he led with 3:32 minutes. Before the race, he had seen through that he could possibly drive for Lemond, which led to tensions within the team. Nevertheless, Hinault was able to show his strength and win the race for himself, while Lemond ended up fifth.

• Hinault's victory:
  • 1978: +3: 56 minutes
  • 1979: +13: 07 minutes
  • 1981: +14: 34 minutes
  • 1982: +6: 21 minutes
  • 1985: +1: 42 minutes

With this victory, Hinault pulled with other cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. He is often called the last "hard dog" in the peloton. This can also be determined by the fact that he believes that French cyclists are "too soft" today to win the tour.

a legacy, that remains

Bernard Hinault not only left traces on the street, but also away from the racing program. After his active career, he worked with the organizers of the Tour de France until 2016 and then returned to agriculture. His role in cycling is undisputed, and he is considered an influential personality that serves as a model for many young drivers. In his active time, he not only won the five titles on the tour, but also victories in Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.

The cycling community not only celebrates a large athlete, but also a fighter with an integrated attitude. Bernard Hinault, who spoke vehemently against doping, will be one of the largest in the history of cycling, and his inheritance remains imperishable. You can find out more about his career and achievements in his Wikipedia entry.