Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin with Martin Lange / Photo credit: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP
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9:38 p.m., July 03, 2023
Is this the year of the French on the Tour de France? The tricolor cyclists have already distinguished themselves in the image of Victor Lafay, stage winner on Sunday in San Sebastian. A performance that does not satisfy Bernard Hinault, however, who would like the French to aim beyond a simple stage victory.
The day after the victory of Frenchman Victor Lafay during the second stage of the Tour de France 2023, the hope of a Grande Boucle with tricolor accents is allowed. By way of comparison, we had to wait for the 19th stage to see a French victory on the Tour last year. A better start to the competition, which did not delight Bernard Hinault, however. The former five-time winner of the Grande Boucle wonders about the racing strategy of French teams and cyclists: “Should we play for the podium or win stages?”
“He cannot claim victory”
A lack of ambition of the tricolor cyclists pointed out by the former runner nicknamed “The Badger”. But the latter was however understanding by taking the example of Thibaut Pinot, one of the best French chances on the Tour de France. For Bernard Hinault, although the latter is one of the most competitive riders, he cannot claim final victory. By aligning him on the Grande Boucle, the former cyclist believes “that we have exploited him badly. We should have put him on the classics. Putting him on the Tour de France is simply saying to him: ‘Have fun you! Go get the steps’.”
The years pass but the French champions in cycling do not succeed. Bernard Hinault was also the last tricolor to have won the legendary race, in 1985. But who can succeed the Badger? Bernard Hinault “knows nothing about it”. He even ends up wondering “if he was born”. Last year, the French cyclist David Gaudu nevertheless sowed promise by finishing fourth in the general classification.