The passage reflects on the legacy of French cyclist Bernard Hinault and the decline of French representation in the Tour de France over 40 years. Hinault's victory came after a celebration in Lisieux, and at that time, the French had a stronghold on the Tour. As the author transitions to the present day, it is noted that no Frenchman is among the favorites, marking a significant shift in national cycling prowess. The ongoing soul-searching within France over its cycling dominance has been continuous since the early 1990s.
It's 39 years, 11 months and about three weeks since I watched a tired and slightly diminished-looking Bernard Hinault get out of a car in a backstreet in Lisieux, pulling on that maillot jaune.
Back then the French had won nine of the past 11 Tours and, while Hinault was heading for retirement, Laurent Fignon was the obvious successor waiting in the wings.
Fast forward to this weekend in Lille when the Tour has its Grand Depart on French soil, and no Frenchman will be named among the race favourites.
The national soul-searching will go on, having kicked off in 1992 when Fignon was heading for retirement and it was clear that Jean-Francois Bernard wasn't going to win the Tour either.
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