Suche
Mein Konto
Hinault's triumph: five victories and the last tough dog” of the tour!
Find out how Bernard Hinault made history with his fifth Tour de France victory in 1985 and became a cycling idol.
Hinault's triumph: five victories and the last tough dog” of the tour!
On July 8, 2025, the legendary Bernard Hinault will celebrate his 70th birthday and it is an opportunity to look back on the Frenchman's remarkable career in cycling. The Yffiniac native, known as “the Badger” or “Le Blaireau,” is considered one of the greatest professional cyclists of all time, after all, he has the Tour de France won five times: 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985.
Hinault, active from 1975 to 1986, remains the last French professional cyclist to triumph. His last major victory in 1985 was particularly exciting, where he prevailed in a dramatic duel against teammate Greg LeMond. This year was marked by personal setbacks, as Hinault had to compete after knee surgery and suffered a broken nose during stage 14, but he still showed exceptional fighting spirit and won the Tour by a margin of 2:25 minutes.
The formation of legends
With a total of 156 career victories - including 28 stage wins in the Tour de France - Hinault is a true legend of competition. He was also known in his time for his aggressive driving style, which earned him the nickname “Le Patron”. Despite the rivalry within his own team, Hinault showed leadership; After his stormy start, he had set clear roles within the team after the 8th stage.
But not only his victories are notable, too Hinaults Driving style is given special consideration. In 1979 he won the points classification and in 1986 he secured the mountain jersey, while he also enjoyed success in other competitions such as the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. His tremendous performance in the Tour put him on a par with cycling gods Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx.
The tough dog
To this day, Hinault is considered the last “tough dog” in the peloton, which he himself confirms in recent interviews. His clear opinion that today's French cyclists are "too soft" is a source of debate and shows his unwavering passion for the sport. He dominated competitions in his time, while today's riders struggle to achieve similar fame.
Bernard Hinault is not only a brilliant chapter in the history of cycling, but also an example of determination and strength. He shaped cycling and his legacy will continue to live in the hearts of cycling fans. His authority and dedication to the sport have made him not only one of the best riders, but also an icon who will inspire future generations.