Love-hate relationship LeMond - Hinault

Shunned by the Tour before the war because of its central location in France, St Etienne was then visited 22 times since 1950 and several feats took place in the old capital of the bicycle. The names of stage winners in town (Geminiani, Bobet, Hinault, Herrera or Zoetemelk) suffice to tell the tale. One of the most memorable moments of the Tour in St Etienne took place in 1986 when the love-hate relationship between Greg LeMond and “team-mate” Bernard Hinault reached a climax. The individual time trial on the penultimate day saw the Badger win his 28th and last Tour stage but his lead over his American leader was too slim – 25 seconds – for him to challenge his team-mate and go for a 6th overall victory. The handing of the baton was not as smooth as planned and LeMond, who crashed during the stage, even hinted at sabotage from his team in favour of Hinault. But the Frenchman always claimed he had made an agreement to let LeMond become the first American winner of the Tour and that he stuck to his pledge.