Bernard Hinault (3/4)

Partie 3 : 1982 - 1983

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bernard
• hinault
• cyclisme
• tour
• de
• france
• vélo

[goyherder]

hinault was last of the great multi-talented cyclists.  Now its all specialized.

[dace364]

@ZAOUWV : coppi - anquetil - bartali - better than armstrong

[auckland37]

@nightowl8936 I think Armstrong was the toughest ever mentally. Merckx of course the most naturally talented. I agree LeMond is certainly comparable to Hinault in ability. Reneging on the 'deal' in 86 was despicable after LeMond had gifted him the Tour in 85. Also the gunshot incident robbed LeMond of at least two more TDF victories.

[DHTCF]

@sjl62 Much as I admire Lemond and he's my favourite rider, you are correct.

[ZAOUWV]

@iditelliano Thank You/ It is true what you say. Fausto Coppi is a legend. Anyway Merckx the best

[iditelliano]

I would say.... BEST EVER 1) Merckx 2) Coppi 3) Hinault some way further down.....Armstrong Most EXCITING to watch 1) Merckx 2) Coppi 3) Hinault. some way further down.....Armstrong Let's never forget the huge number of victories that Coppi had, despite the many years missed due to the war in the middle of his career, as well as having to take months off for his serious injuries after every crash due to his brittle bones. Armstrong is a great celebrity champion. Those three others are LEGENDS.

[sjl62]

It doesn’t require much speculation to suggest that an injured athlete won't perform at his best! :) The fact is that on Luz Ardiden Hinault's broken nose was swollen shut and he was also developing bronchitis; Armstrong's ‘03 crash and Lemond's ‘86 crash did not comparably handicap them. I know people resent Hinault for playing mind games with Lemond; but, if you want to talk about heart, look at Hinault winning the ‘77 Dauphine after crashing into a ravine, or winning LBL in the snow.

[nightowl8936]

@sjl62 You're speculating about this and that, crashes, knees etc. Hinault talks about being a champion with heart - after Armstrong fell when his bike got caught on that stupid woman's bag, he got right back up and won that stage didn't he? There is a stage where LeMond fell during the final 1986 time trial; he got right back up and matched Hinault, didn't he? Look up "1986 Tour de France Final Time Trial" and you'll agree that a champion is measured by their dignity when things go bad.

[sjl62]

@nightowl8936 Well, Hinault was only vulnerable in '85 because of his crash at St. Etienne. Without that it's unlikely Lemond would have been able to overtake him in the Pyrenees. And even if you gift '85 to Lemond, there's the fact that Hinault undoubtedly would have won in '80 and/or '83 if it hadn't been for his knee problems. Either way, he's a legit 5-timer in my book. 

[nightowl8936]

@ZAOUWV

I do not agree with Hinault being number 2 and ahead of Armstrong.

If you think back to 1985, when he won his 5th Tour, it was actually LeMond who sacrificed his chances of winning for his team leader Hinault, and Hinault's promise to help LeMond in 1986 (and then reneging) is some proof that he knew it was not really his.

I consider Hinault a 4 or 4.5 time winner of the TdF, compared to Armstrong's 7.

I also think that LeMond is comparable to Hinault and is underrated.