Welcome
to The Bernard Hinault Archive
This web site was created as a result of finding very little
information
of any interest on the Web about this great cyclist.
In my opinion, Hinault
was the epitome of cycling excellence.
Throughout his reign from the late
1970's to the mid 1980's,
he dominated all disciplines of international cycling
with a
determination and ferocity seen only in cycle racing's great champions.
Hinault's cunning, strength and bravery earned him the title, "Le Blaireau",
or "The Badger" and perhaps summed up the character of a man who
refused to be beaten even when the odds were stacked against him.
In
the early 1980's, Bernard Hinault was to suffer at the hands of fate, as a recurring
knee injury would see him forced out of the 1983 season in spite of having
already won the Tour of Spain and the Fleche Wallone classic races earlier in
that year.
This was a blow to The Badger's amazing career and with multiple
victories in all of the
major Tours to his name, it was only going to be physical
injury that would prevent him from winning
even more of these great races.
In his absence, fellow Frenchman Laurent Fignon assumed the title
of the hero
of France, winning the Tour de France that year and the Giro d'Italia in 1984.
Hinault was back
in the action for '84, but in spite winning one stage of
the Tour, Fignon's strength and fitness proved too much for him
to overcome
after his lengthy absence and subsequent recuperation. A few race wins and placings
in '84 saw him on the road to full recovery and this would prove to be the foundation
on which his 1985 season was built. Victories in both the Giro and Tour de France
in 1985 saw Bernard Hinault restored to his rightful position as the greatest
cyclist in the world.
I hope that you enjoy my tribute to this incredible
athlete.
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The Bernard Hinault Archive 2003
Last enthused over on 18/12/2007
Best viewed in 1152 x 864
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