The last French Tour de France winner will retire at the end of the year.
He was asked by Le Figaro: In 1986 he announced the end of his cycling career. Thirty years later, they want to know if this will be an irrrevocable decision.
Hinault: Yes. He didn’t even get to see his two kids grow up. Also with 42 years of marriage, his wife only saw him three months of the year. It’s time to spend more time with her.
They asked if it’s sad to turn the page? Does he have any regrets?
LeMond, Hinault, 1986 Tour de France
No, never. Why would he have regrets? You cannot turn back, you have to take life as it is. With what has been successful and with what has been less so. He will be 62 at the end of the year.
He has lots of options, but for sure it won’t be politics.
Of what is he most proud?
Of everything. If you love what you do, nothing is difficult. In January he will put his hat on backwards. It will be finished. He’s had a full life that is not over.
Will you still ride?
He rides 6,000-8,000 km each year. He would like to increase that. In his strongest years he rode 40-42,000 km. He has no major health problems.
Is he still interested in cycling?
The division 3 races are more animated. Pro cycling is the same tactics over and over. They let 4 riders go, the peloton plays and then chases them. That’s not really cycling and is not admirable.
