Bernard Hinault (born 14 November 1954) is a Breton former professional cyclist….who won the Tour de France five times….and he is one of only seven cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours….as well as one of two cyclists to have won each more than once….with the other being Alberto Contador. He won the Tour de France in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985….as seen in these highlights in the video herewith. He came second in 1984 and 1986….and won a total 28 stages throughout his career….of which 13 were individual time trials. The other three to have achieved five Tour de France victories are Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain….but of these, Hinault is the only one to have finished either first or second in each Tour de France he finished. He remains the most recent French winner of the Tour de France.
Gregory James “Greg” LeMond (born June 26, 1961) is an American former professional road racing cyclist….who won the Road Race World Championship twice in 1983 and 1989….the Tour de France three times in 1986, 1989 and 1990….while being considered by many to be the greatest American cyclist of all time. In 1986, LeMond became the first non-European professional cyclist to win the Tour de France….and he remains the only American cyclist to have won the Tour. After missing the entire 1987 and 1988 season while recovering from gunshot wounds from a hunting accident….he returned to the 1989 Tour, completing an improbable comeback by winning in dramatic fashion on the race’s final stage…..then he successfully defended his title the following year, claiming his third and final Tour victory in 1990….which made LeMond one of only seven riders who have won three or more Tours.
As seen in these highlights of the 1985 tour….LeMond had a significant shot at winning this 1985 Tour de France….but chose to honor his commitment as a hired teammate on Benard Hinault’s team, to help The Badger win his 5th Tour.
