Not sure that the event, the cake and the candles that accompanied it would bring a tear to his eyes. No more than ten, twenty or thirty years ago, in fact. “What does that change? As long as we have health…”, we can already hear him answer us dryly without anyone being able to prove him wrong.
No crocodile tears, no tremolos in the voice, no fuss, not the house type. But this Thursday, November 14, 2024, Bernard Hinault is celebrating his 70th birthday and the 70th birthday of the man we call the Badger takes us back to the passing of time. To our memories. Because, like in the song of another legend, we all have something in us of Bernard Hinault.
Those who saw him arrive with his messy hair, his football socks and his bike bought on credit from his brother remember a teenager who was already not afraid. First race, first victory. They were not surprised to see him fly over the Premier pas Dunlop, in other words, the French junior championship a year later.
Those who saw him burst into their living room will never forget his first television, this frightening fall on the descent of the Col de Porte and his major success on the roads of Dauphiné in 1977 in front of Eddy Merckx and the others. They, too, were not more surprised than that to see him, twelve months later, annex the Tour de France from his first participation.
The beginning of the legend, of a legend, of the Hinault years. Those of an apocalyptic Liège-Bastogne-Liège, renamed “Neige-Bastogne-Neige” because the Belgian sky was like a bad joke that day, won with almost ten minutes in advance in the spring of 1980, d a masterpiece of the world championship, the same year, in Sallanches or even a Paris-Roubaix that he loved to hate the better to devour. A face, an extraordinary temperament, a strength of character, that was also Hinault.
Those who did not have the chance to see him race, those who did not have the privilege of thrilling to the exploits of the greatest Breton champion of all time can hear him since his frankness and his strong opinions continue to wear. Even if it means clashing. At 70, Bernard Hinault has not changed. Eternal. Happy birthday, Mr. Hinault!
The book “Bernard Hinault, unpublished images” is available for purchase by clicking here.
In the deep end
In 1975, Bernard Hinault (20 years old) played his first professional season with the Gitane-Campagnolo team. His salary? 2,500 francs. At his side, Santy, Marinez, Van Impe, Le Guilloux and Mintkewicz, the team captain. Without the slightest complexion, he ranked 7th and first Frenchman in Paris-Nice before achieving his first success, the general classification of the Circuit de la Sarthe. A few months later, he lined up at the start of the Critérium du Circuit de l'Aulne in Châteaulin where he crossed paths with Eddy Merckx (here in the foreground). (Photo Le Télégramme)
The little schoolboy
His knees are skinned, a sign of already overflowing activity. The mischievous look, too. In a suit, crossed arms looking determined, mottled sweater, Bernard Hinault, primary school student at the Saint-Aubin school in Yffiniac in 1963, poses in the front row (left). The little schoolboy of the White Sisters of the Holy Spirit is nine years old. Behind him, right in the center, Gilbert, his older brother. Top left, his master, Father Jean Leroux. Five years later, the young Hinault obtained his school certificate and then a professional aptitude certificate (CAP). (Photo Yffiniac School)
The idol of young people
Despite a relatively discreet start to the 1983 season, the “idol” is (highly) awaited at the start of the Tour d'Armorique which, on this spring day, sets off from Quimper. Bernard Hinault is sought after by children but not only. The outgoing winner of the event finally took 14th place in a prologue ruled by his young teammates from the Renault-Elf team, Laurent Fignon, Pascal Jules and Pascal Poisson. A few days before departure, the Breton has just secured his future: he has just bought the farm that made him dream in Calorguen, on the outskirts of Dinan. (Photo Le Télégramme)
First rainbow
In the wheel of Jean-François Pescheux, solid rider of the La Redoute team and in front of his faithful teammate Maurice Le Guilloux, Bernard Hinault shows off his rainbow jersey (obtained two days previously in Sallanches) on the occasion of the Critérium de Fougères. The Bretillian organizers had a hollow nose in signing the new world champion three weeks before his unforgettable coronation. The new king of the world is still up to it: second in the elimination (behind Christian Seznec), he wins the circuit race ahead of Philippe Tesnière, the native of the country, and Raymond Martin. (Photo Le Télégramme)
Plein Champs
It's only for him! Because he is definitely not a rider like the others, Bernard Hinault gives himself one last pleasure during the 1979 Tour de France by masterfully winning the Champs-Élysées stage in front of… the Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk, his runner-up in the general classification (more than thirteen minutes behind). This is the seventh victory for the Yellow Jersey stage in this 66th edition! At 24 and a half years old, the “briochin cannibal” became the youngest double winner of the biggest race in the world. “I tell myself that I am the strongest. I act and speak accordingly,” he confided before the Grand Départ. Who would dare contradict him? (Photo Le Télégramme)
Fear in the Pyrenees
A fortnight before the start of the 1979 Tour, Bernard Hinault recognizes the Pyrenees passes of the 66th edition. Unfortunately, it doesn't go as planned: on the climb to Superbagnères, he falls. The French champion is left with a big scare. (Photo Le Télégramme)
