I realise that it is very easy to doubt the claims of some sellers on Ebay, but the two Bernard Hinault-owned Bernard Hinault bikes recently auctioned on Ebay - I believe that the chrono one was sold in the last few minutes of the auction - WERE THE REAL DEAL. I had an email Off-List from Jay Dubiel, saying that he had been in touch with the seller about more photos. The reply came back from a certain Mickael Hinault.
Mickael is the 34-year old son of Bernard Hinault ; there is another son Alexandre. Mickael works with his father on contract to the company , Amaury Sport Organisation,that owns the Tour de France and many of the other major French races and others abroad, and is responsible for organising the Tour Village at the Start and Finish towns.
I have been in touch with Mickael who told me that the family were clearing out the greniers ( the lofts) of their farmhouse and came across the machines and, having no use for them, decided to sell them on Ebay. Before phoning him I had checked the Ebay seller's address and found that it is in a village, near Dinan, in northern Brittany about 60 kms from Yffiniac where Bernard was born and brought up.
The HInault family is very active in the cycling world with Bernard- Le Blaireau - making a serious comeback on mountain bikes - he rides the new LOOK 996XO machine - and he is preparing his own team of family and friends to take on some serious sportif rides, using the new HINAULT carbon frames equipped with Campag equipment. There is also a new range of cycling clothing - TEXTILE HINAULT.
The Mecacycle Hinault for auction on Ebay..but not sold.. had the Arc-en-Ciel 80 head tube transfer, relating of course to Hinault's sole victory in the World Road Championships at Sallanches in 1980. At 1000 euros this is beginning to look like an attractive proposition particularly as Hinault would provide full provenance.
The aero-tubed chrono bike that I thought looked a bit too big for Hinault due largely to the very long head-tube, is, of course, much smaller than it looks, simply because the bike is built with a 650/26 inch from wheel. Don't know why I did not think of that in the first place.
Mickael keeps a blog of the family's activities..there are currently 965 pages of photos. It offers quite a fascinating insight into the lives of Hinault and his family and friends..and of the world of the Pros that they inhabit when they are not riding 60kms across snow-covered countryside of their mountain bikes. Ther are some excellent photos of Eddy Merckx..who will celebrate his 65th birthday this year.
If you find yourselves with a some spare time and want to soak up the life of top amateur riders in northern France..including a lot of cyclo-cross I recommend to you:
*www.exclusivelo.skyrock.com* ** Alternative access to different parts of the blog can be made at:
*www.exclusivelo.skyrock.com/2709665044-MICKAEL-HINAULT* ** If you choose the first access route..go to page 23..where you will find photos of hardman Bernard Hinault doing some serious winter training rides.
Good viewing
Norris Lockley
Settle UK
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