Tweet
VeloNews European correspondent Andrew Hood sat down with Hinault this week to get his assessment of how the race is shaping up midway through the 2009 Tour de France and the “Badger” was at his cantankerous best. Here are excerpts from the interview:
VN: We’re seeing some polemic between Armstrong and Contador, was that similar to you and LeMond in the 1980s?
BH: No, no. There was no polemic between Greg and me. In 1985, I was designated to win the Tour and in 1986, it was his turn. And it happened just like that. What we’re seeing now is that two want to win. It is quite the opposite. Armstrong says he wants to win and Contador is here to win as well. In their story, the combat is still to come! The first shot was at La Grande Motte in the big breakaway. If the two Astana riders with him would have pulled, he would have been in yellow. Contador responded with a counter-punch at Arcalis. No matter what happens, it is not the team manager who races the race. It will be riders who decide and who can smash the pedals the hardest. One of the two will be at the front.
VN: What do you make of the Armstrong return?
BH: Pfft … I couldn’t care less in the end. It’s not my problem.
VN: Don’t you think it’s impressive that he’s been able to return to the top level after being away from the sport for three years?
BH: But what is his motive for coming back? Is it to win? To fight cancer, or something else in the future? To one day be the governor of Texas? I think at this moment, the Tour serves him more than what he serves the Tour.
VN: Do you think his return is good for cycling?
BH: I am not convinced that it will be good for cycling. One speaks a lot more about him and the Astana team and the politics between the two of them than about any other riders. It’s necessary to remember that there are other riders who exist. The media should look at everything. OK, they are there, but there are other teams, other riders. One should see as much for others as them
VN: We’re seeing some polemic between Armstrong and Contador, was that similar to you and LeMond in the 1980s?
BH: No, no. There was no polemic between Greg and me. In 1985, I was designated to win the Tour and in 1986, it was his turn. And it happened just like that. What we’re seeing now is that two want to win. It is quite the opposite. Armstrong says he wants to win and Contador is here to win as well. In their story, the combat is still to come! The first shot was at La Grande Motte in the big breakaway. If the two Astana riders with him would have pulled, he would have been in yellow. Contador responded with a counter-punch at Arcalis. No matter what happens, it is not the team manager who races the race. It will be riders who decide and who can smash the pedals the hardest. One of the two will be at the front.
VN: What do you make of the Armstrong return?
BH: Pfft … I couldn’t care less in the end. It’s not my problem.
VN: Don’t you think it’s impressive that he’s been able to return to the top level after being away from the sport for three years?
BH: But what is his motive for coming back? Is it to win? To fight cancer, or something else in the future? To one day be the governor of Texas? I think at this moment, the Tour serves him more than what he serves the Tour.
VN: Do you think his return is good for cycling?
BH: I am not convinced that it will be good for cycling. One speaks a lot more about him and the Astana team and the politics between the two of them than about any other riders. It’s necessary to remember that there are other riders who exist. The media should look at everything. OK, they are there, but there are other teams, other riders. One should see as much for others as them
Comment