The Cycling Hall of Fame 2019: the case for Bernard Hinault

The Cycling Hall of Fame 2019: the case for Bernard Hinault

Bernard Hinault is less lauded for his time trialling than his other qualities. For our contributor it’s more than enough to earn him a place in the Cycling Hall of Fame

Bernard Hinault Cycling Hall of Fame Racing Rouleur Classic Rouleur Classic 2019 The Cycling Hall of Fame

“A gentleman,” it is said, “is someone who can play the bagpipes, but doesn’t.” The instrument in question is sometimes substituted for another but the sentiment remains the same. Mark Twain went with banjo. Tom Waits preferred to prejudice the accordion.


I have long been inclined to say the same of time trialling. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the skill of those who do it well, or believe it doesn’t contribute something vital to the test of an individual rider’s all-round ability. I don’t think it shouldn’t be performed at all. Just preferably not in public, you know? Fax me the results. I’ll wait by the Amstrad.

 

Colour me surprised then, when, of the myriad reasons I might present to support Bernard Hinault’s claim to the Cycling Hall of Fame, the one I keep being drawn back to is his success as a tester.

It doesn’t get talked about much for, I suppose, fairly obvious reasons. It doesn’t really fit with the image we have of him as a snarling, subterranean carnivore.


There’s a reason “As long as I breathe, I attack” is the quote that ends up on a mug and not “I made sure to get the pacing right. It was important not to go too fast, too early.”


Yet Hinault’s prowess against the clock contributed as much to his career as the more marketable manifestations of his manhood.


But across his five Tour de France victories, Hinault won 15 out of 18 individual races against the clock. His hit rate is superior even to that of Miguel Indurain, who only managed a measly 8 out of 10. (Didn’t they do a lot of time trialling back then?)

The control and composure he could command contre la montre were a complement, not a contrast, to the teeth-bearing bark of the Badger. Both sides showed that what Hinault had more of than any rider of his day, and more than any of his countrymen since, was a preparedness to do what was necessary to win the Tour de France. No, spending hour after solitary hour building up the power and honing the position isn’t fun. But you know what’s less fun, or at least should be, for a professional cyclist? Losing.


Read: Bernard Hinault – the undisputed Patron

 

Whether he gets there this year or another, that Le Blaireau belongs in the Cycling Hall of Fame is impossible to dispute. His losses are more legendary than many riders’ wins. His image is the one that immediately springs to mind when someone even mentions the idea of the Patron. Tales of his personality have filled a fair few of our pages over the years and we’re not finished yet.

 

In my view, the best reason for voting for Bernard Hinault is the simplest and rarest of all: he might not be much of a gentleman, but he was a Frenchman who could time-trial.

 

Over the coming months the Rouleur team will be making the case for each of the 18 Cycling Hall of Fame nominees. Vote for Hinault – or any of the other nominees – below.

Read more from our Cycling Hall of Fame 2019, “The case for…” series:

Kristin Armstrong
Greg LeMond
Patrick Lefevere

The vote:

 

The post The Cycling Hall of Fame 2019: the case for Bernard Hinault appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Bernard Hinault Cycling Hall of Fame Racing Rouleur Classic Rouleur Classic 2019 The Cycling Hall of Fame

READ MORE

‘There’s a lack of support for retired riders’ - Grace Brown on navigating life after racing

‘There’s a lack of support for retired riders’ - Grace Brown on navigating life after racing

While the former Olympic and World champion is relishing new ventures in retirement, she is keen to ensure more support is in place for those...

Leggi di più
Ratings of the Women's WorldTour teams at the Classics

Sprint dominance, cobbled mayhem and Ardennes surprises - rating the women's teams at the Spring Classics

From SD Worx-Protime's continued success to Canyon-SRAM's disappointment, Rouleur takes a look at how each squad performed at the Spring Classics

Leggi di più
Alpecin and UAE delight but Visma and Red bull struggle - rating the teams' performances at the Spring Classics

Alpecin and UAE delight but Visma and Red bull struggle - rating the teams' performances at the Spring Classics

With the curtains closing on the Spring Classics, Rouleur looks back on the winners and losers of this year's campaign 

Leggi di più
Tadej Pogačar in the pink jersey at the 2024 Giro d'Italia

How to watch and live stream the Giro d'Italia 2025

A guide to where you can catch all the Giro d'Italia action from home or on the go

Leggi di più
Writing history: Why Kim Le Court’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège win is so important

Writing history: Why Kim Le Court’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège win is so important

The Mauritian trailblazer took the biggest victory of her career on Sunday after a challenging road to the top of the sport

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE