Bernard Hinault's advice to Tadej Pogacar: "I would make all my physiological data public"

It has now been 39 years since the Tour de France was last won by a French rider, Bernard Hinault who turned 70 years old today. In a special occasion, he shared words regarding his legacy, meeting the new French winner of the Tour and also the suspicions on Tadej Pogacar.

"I can't help but see myself on the bike again. I would have liked to race against Tadej Pogacar, but also against Eddy Merckx or Jacques Anqueti," Hinault said in words to L'Équipe. He was the final rider from the French nation to have won the greatest race of the sport, whose current reigning champion is Tadej Pogacar - someone whose raised a lot of questions this year due to his tremendous performances.

The French legend adresses the doping topic and the Slovenian: "Often these are just interpretations, always negative. I don't understand that. Why don't we ask these questions to French top athletes, who win everything in other sports like Pogacar? In other countries there are no doubts about him. In his place I would make all my physiological data public, that would calm everyone down.'

For his part, the legend has said that he would like to live up to 100 years old and still get to meet his successor when it comes to the next Tour de France title. It will already be 40 years next year where the French stand little chances, but the nation does have some new up and coming talents who may make it dream once again after the likes of Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot and Jean-Cristophe Peraud have done in the last decade.

"It has never bothered me to repeat myself, to talk about my victories. It makes people dream, because we don't do that enough in France. People don't believe me when I say I can't wait to meet my successor in the Tour de France. It will be 40 years next year, that's too long. I'd like to meet him before I'm gone," Hinault concluded.