The lull continues: French people only celebrate on the side of the road

The 109th Tour de France is entering the home straight. Little Denmark has already won stages with three riders and has Jonas Vingegaard as the first overall, even Luxembourg and Canada, which is more famous in the sport for ice hockey, were already able to celebrate. And the hosts? The Grande Nation did not celebrate a stage victory. If it stays that way until Paris, the biggest bankruptcy since 1999 would be perfect. Nobody talks about a local tour winner anymore. On the first stage of the Pyrenees, Romain Bardet's hopes of a podium were also gone after his collapse. “It was a journey of suffering. “I’m up the mountain at 5 km/h,” complained Bardet.

A speed that Bernard Hinault could possibly have achieved at his current age, 67. The Breton is the last French Tour champion. That was in 1985 when he celebrated his fifth and final triumph. 37 years, half an eternity for a country that is so proud of its cycling history and the biggest race in the world. If Hinault has his way, his compatriots should concentrate on other goals anyway if there isn't enough to be at the top. “For me, fifth and sixth places are uninteresting. You'd better try to win a stage. This is good." Alaphilippe will be sorely missed In the past, Julian Alaphilippe has always spoiled his compatriots with stage victories. But the 2020 and 2021 world champion is missing this year; after his serious fall at the classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April, he is not yet in shape. “Julian, we miss you,” was written on a sign. Alaphilippe has celebrated six daily victories in the last four years alone. His 14 days in the yellow jersey at the 2019 Tour were also unforgettable, when France suddenly dreamed again. But Alaphilippe is not a man for the high mountains.

This is more of a thing for Thibaut Pinot, but the climber from Lure has trouble descending the mountains. He had already sought psychological help because of his fear of downhill skiing. The 32-year-old is now no longer chasing a top position in the overall standings. “It’s not a question of doping, but of mentality.” Bernard Hinault But why does France no longer have a man for the general classification? Hinault has a clear opinion of today's generation. “I think it’s too loose. Look at the few French people who ride for foreign teams. They work. You can ask yourself questions there. This is not a question of doping, but of mentality. They tell them there: If you’re not good, you’ll be thrown out,” said Hinault Süddeutsche Zeitung. But there is simply “not that one athlete who has the ability to be better than everyone else”. Only a few French people But the fact that cycling is becoming more and more international doesn't make things any easier for the French. 32 riders from the hosts started at the start of the tour in Denmark, i.e. 18 percent of the peloton. This is the second weakest rate in the 21st century. This year, too, the Marsaillaise will not be heard on the Champs Élysées for the winner. At least the French don't let the good mood on the route be taken away from them.

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The lull continues: French people only celebrate on the side of the road

The only thing that helps is gallows humor. “So far the French are doing very well... on the side of the road,” the daily newspaper L'Equipe recently wrote, raving about the festival atmosphere on the tour.

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