Riders That Could Spoil The Badger's Plans

Despite listing Fignon and Lemond as the two riders that were Hinault's nearest rivals
in terms of all-round capability, the others that I am about to mention could give him a hard
time on a single stage. These riders, sprinters, climbers and "roleurs" had the talent to
push The Badger to his limits. Although he would always be thinking ahead, in terms of
his place in a multiple-stage race, you can rest-assured that Hinault would never have made
a gift of a stage win to any rival.

The riders listed on the following pages have been chosen as they have demonstrated clearly
that on their day, they could beat the best of field, including Bernard Hinault, and in so doing
rise out of the bunch as something more than just an "average" domestique in the road
race. Riders like Andy Hampsten, a superb climber and Giro winner; Luis Herrera, one of
the greatest climbers and multiple Maillot Grimpeur winner in the Tour de France; Roger de
Vlaeminck, the greatest competitor ever in the formidable Paris-Roubaix classic. All of these
riders could, on their day, prove to be a match for the legendary Bernard Hinault.

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The Bernard Hinault Archive 2003