Alpe d’Huez witnessed plenty of legendary moments since its introduction to the Tour de France in 1952. One of them is the famous 18th stage in 1986, when Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond reached the top hand in hand.
The team La Vie Claire had usually a very strong line-up at the Tour de France in the mid-1980s. Bernard Hinault was one of the cycling superstars, the second French rider after Jacques Anquetil, who won the Tour de France 5 occasions (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985)1
But Hinault had a young American teammate, Greg LeMond, strong enough to be his greatest rival, if they would not have been riding in the same team.
Previously…
In 1985, it was clear, that the whole team was working on Hinault’s 5th victory. Unfortunatelly, the French rider crashed badly and broke his nose on the 14th stage, which caused further problems on the next few stages. Especially on the 17th stage, when he dropped, while LeMond was told no to work together with Stephen Roche for a successful attack. Roche, who heard the conversation between the La Vie Clair team car and their rider, won the stage. LeMond felt betrayed by his team of the chance of winnig the Tour.
Hinault remained in the yellow jersey till Paris. LeMond, who considered to leave the race after stage 17, but was persuaded to continue it, finished second.
Before the Tour de France in 1986, Hinault promised to support his teammate during the upcoming race. But there were plenty of signs during the race, that his promise might have been not an honest one. This lead to a rift between the two riders.
Hinault lost his first GC position on the 17th stage, after struggling and dropping back on the Col de Izoard. Now, Greg LeMond was the leader of the race and the first US rider to wear the yellow jersey.
The iconic 18th stage
Next day, Tour de France visited Alpe d’Huez. The 162,5 km long stage started in Briançon. The peloton climbed Col du Galibier, rode through Col du Télégraphe downhill, then came Col de la Croix de Fer, before L’Alpe d’Huez at the end of a hard day in the saddle.2
Bernard Hinault accelerated several times during the early part of the stage. Before crossing the Télégraphe, he attacked the bunch of the favourites seriously. Meanwhile, LeMond was told rather to attack Urs Zimmermann, the second rider in the general classification, instead of working with him to join Hinault (and some other breakaway riders of lesser importance).
Nevertheless, LeMond was able to open a gap between him and Zimmermann before Col de la Croix de Fer started. Also he managed to join to the breakaway trio at the front.
Soon the other riders dropped, only Hinault and LeMond left.
Shortly before the finish line, LeMond put his arm around Hinault and had a short conversation with him. Then Hinault took LeMond’s hand. They crossed the finish line together, with Hinault taking the stage win.
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Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond on the top of L’Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France 1986)
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