FIVE-TIME TOUR de France winner Bernard Hinault has been there and done it in cycling but this year’s start in Yorkshire has him excited.
No rider has won the Tour more times than Hinault and he remains the last Frenchman to triumph in cycling’s most iconic race, back in 1985.
The 2014 Grand Depart takes place in Leeds on Saturday and the event will take in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales as the peloton travels through Harrogate, York and Sheffield in the first two days.
A third stage from Cambridge to London will follow before the Tour enters France and the 59-year-old Hinault – who has spent plenty of time in Yorkshire in the build-up to the race – is looking forward to the showpiece getting under way.
A 100-day cultural festival has preceded the beginning in Yorkshire and organisers estimate the event will bring in around £100million to the local economy.
Hinault told Perform: “When we did the Grand Depart in London (in 2007), the idea was to promote cycling within London and we felt that expanding to the whole country.
“It is very important to continue this dynamic and here (in Yorkshire) you really have the beautiful grounds (to hold the Tour de France).
“It is not difficult to find interesting grounds for cycling in Yorkshire, so (I am) very positive.
“From the beginning, as soon as we came the first time, we felt there was something special in the enthusiasm (of the Yorkshire people).
“Yorkshire allows us to show something different from the other starts that we have had.
“We had to use the opportunities that were offered by the Yorkshire grounds…you can have a variety of roads and race course to choose so it’s really interesting (for cycling).”
Hinault also offered his view on the outcome of the race and thinks British rider Chris Froome will make it back-to-back Tour success.
“Logically, he will be there to defend his title…he should win,” he said.
Crowds are expected to top three million people for the first two stages in Yorkshire.
