Bernard Hinault is used to marathon days. During his long career, the five-time winner of the Grande Boucle has known dozens. But for this Grand Départ in Brittany, its region, Hinault admits to being extremely busy. But as he has been doing for the past five years, he first gave priority to the “one child, one bike” operation initiated by Century 21 and which he has sponsored from the start. But “the Badger” also likes to talk about cycling. With his usual frankness.
Who will win the Tour de France 2021?
BERNARD HINAULT. We are already forced to think of Pogacar the outgoing winner. He is young and has shown since the start of the season that he knows how to win, especially in Liège. Then we have Roglic but we have not heard from for two months since he did not run. And I do not forget the armada of the Ineos.
Should the Jumbo-Visma be more suspicious of Pogacar this year?
I hope for them! Pogacar is super strong against the clock. And he had beaten Roglic in this exercise during the Slovenian championships. Despite this, the Jumbo cars kept it 50 seconds before the Planche-des-Belles-Filles stage. The Jumbo had run roughly by being too wait-and-see. Also watch out for Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar).
And what can hope Julian Alaphilippe ?
He will have to have between three and four minutes in advance before the mountain. But will the others give him this opportunity? Alaphilippe is seen as a danger for the final victory. In any case, he should not think of aiming for a podium. He has to have fun, think about the steps and maybe at some point, in a Voeckler style, something can be done. And there, we are talking again about yellow in Paris.
Why is this “one child, one bicycle” operation so important to you?
Because giving the opportunity to kids without money to ride a bike touches me. It’s awesome. I say it every time, but my pleasure is that in 10 or 15 years, a young rider who has become a professional, after a victory, comes to see me and tells me that he wanted to ride a bike thanks to this operation. . Let us remember that for these children who live in disadvantaged areas, getting a bicycle from their parents is complicated. You can play football with almost nothing. But cycling is more complicated.
