THE GEAR, THE FALLS, THE SALARIES, POGACAR, THE FRENCH…
Find all the Top Vélo news here
Top Bike: Bernard the era seems to have come from a certain return to conservatism in the field of equipment used during professional races. We are talking in particular about returning to disc braking, to the shape and size of the handlebars, to electronic groupsets, to carbon wheels, to tires and even to the choice of bikes by the different teams. What do you think? Will it be necessary, as Marc Madiot imagines in particular, to come to a single tire supplier while eliminating disc braking?
Bernard Hinault : Let's be serious! This flashback all mentioned by a few is a bit nonsense. Disc braking first. This is an undeniable element of safety as braking becomes both more powerful and easier. Combined with tires of the right section, i.e. not less than 25 mm, this type of braking is undoubtedly irreversible progress. And not just a commercial argument as the pseudo-traditionalists claim. Obviously it remains to understand how to use it. Starting with controlling inflation pressures which should be lower. Especially in the rain.
As for the choice of manufacturer, imposing the same brand and the same type on everyone would go against progress. And also naturally the interest of brands. This would stagnate research.
Same thing for the morons who imagine a one-make formula with one and the same bike for everyone. Here too what about progress and innovations.
Finally, there remains electronic transmissions. Technological advancement encourages us to opt for this type of derailleurs. Both more precise and more efficient. But I can understand that we can remain faithful to mechanics that are both lighter and more reliable over time.
Top Bike: We haven't yet talked about the cockpit and certain fashions like Pogacar's short cranks.
Bernard Hinault : Concerning the cockpits there are both good and bad things. The best is ergonomics, comfort, adaptability. The worst is the madness of aero with narrow handlebars to the point of absurdity. How can you really master a high-performance and therefore super-fast bike with a 36-centimeter handlebar? Anything ! We should not go below 40 or 42 centimeters. On the other hand, removing the power sensor screens would be a good thing. Undoubtedly useful for training, and even then, they are useless and dangerous in races where the runner must especially pay attention to his environment.
Concerning the ultra short 165 cranks, this fashion launched by Pogacar and copied by many professional riders, in my opinion this is a technical heresy. To obtain more power you need long levers. With 165 instead of 172.5 or 175, you have to wind more to obtain less power. So, unless you are very small, you must opt for a minimum of 170. Especially since with today's gears you have to be able to develop ever more power. 55 or 56 x 11 or 10 currently on average compared to 53 or 54 x 13 or 12 in my time.
Top Bike: With the new bikes, the new wheels, the new more and more aero bikes, the races are getting faster and faster. Is this a danger?
Bernard Hinault : Speed is not a problem in itself. It's the lack of control that is the problem. Too many riders don't really master their bikes. There is a lack of training among young people. And to this lack of control we must add the lack of attention generated by screens and headsets. The faster we go, the more concentrated we have to be. Cycle racing is not a game. It is war.
Top Bike: The 2025 season arrives with its existential questions. First of all, the insolent supremacy of the big 4: Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard and Mathieu Ven der Poel. And then the presence or absence of French riders among the potential winners of the major events on the calendar. Starting with the Tour de France.
Bernard Hinault : In France we have a propensity to deny the champion. That is to say, to deny the fact that in sport physical and psychological equality does not exist. There are and always will be some runners who are more gifted than others. And even exceptional champions who dominate their era. There was Fausto Coppi, Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and others. Today there is Pogacar and the others. Even if Remco, Van der Poel and Vingegaard are also above the rest. Gifted champions and exceptional fighters. How to deny it? How can we doubt their value? Especially in the face of our French runners who currently cannot in any way claim to evolve at this level. No more Guillaume Martin who claims without laughing to aim for a podium, than the young and friendly Martinez who does not have a sufficient engine capacity. I repeat, the next French winner of the Tour is not currently in the peloton. Perhaps we should look for it among the minors. So for the 2025 Tour I only see Pogacar. He is not only gifted, pleasant and ruthless, but also exemplary and domineering. The only one who can seriously challenge his victory on the Tour is Vingegaard. Remco is exceptional but it is still a little too heavy to follow the two monsters in the mountains. Maybe by losing two or three kilos…
Top Bike: We talk a lot about professional salaries today. And we criticize the lifestyle of certain champions. For example Van der Poel.
Bernard Hinault : Bernard Hinault: When it comes to salaries, cyclists are still far from footballers. Even if some champions come close. For example Pogacar or Van der Poel. And even Froome. So what are these criticisms? Thoughts of jealousy!
Froome, for example, has an exceptional track record with 4 Tours de France. That his salary is up to par, even if his results are no longer what they used to be, there is nothing scandalous. Let's not forget his terrifying accident.
Afterwards, to mention Van der Poel's Lamborghini is to forget that he is the image man of the brand. And it's good for cycling to see a champion become a star. In his time Coppi drove the most beautiful cars. Like later Moser, Boonen or Wiggins. And Bobet had his personal plane. Where is the problem? Otherwise in the absurdity of large salaries awarded to riders without track records who never or almost never win. A Franco-French disease. As a sports director or team manager, I will say to the rider who asks me for a big salary even though he has no track record: you want 100, I'll give you 10! But if you win I will give you 1000! And today in France the only rider who in my opinion justifies his big salary is Alaphilippe. He has a track record and he is a true Champion.
