Question 1

True or false: Hinault was nicknamed 'The Badger' because he was known for his ferocious, stubborn fighting style.

Accepted Answer

True. The French word 'blaireau' (badger) fit his tenacity and willingness to attack relentlessly, even when injured.

Question 2

True or false: Bernard Hinault won the Giro d’Italia three times, making him the most successful French rider in the race's history.

Accepted Answer

True. Hinault's three Giro victories (1980, 1982, 1985) are the most by any French cyclist. No other French rider has won more, confirming his status as the most successful French participant in the race's history.

Question 3

True or false: Hinault won the Tour de France five times, all before turning 30.

Accepted Answer

False. Hinault's fifth Tour victory was in 1985, when he was 30 years old (born November 1954). Thus, not all wins came before he turned 30.

Question 4

True or false: Hinault retired at age 28, citing boredom with professional cycling.

Accepted Answer

False. He retired in 1986 at age 31 after winning his fifth Tour, having stated he wanted to leave while still a champion.

Question 5

True or false: Hinault is the only French rider to have won the Tour de France and the world road race title in the same year.

Accepted Answer

False. Hinault never won both in the same year; he won the World Championship in 1980 but not the Tour. Louison Bobet achieved the double in 1954, making the claim false.

Question 6

True or false: Bernard Hinault won the Tour de France five times.

Accepted Answer

True. He won in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1985, tying the record at the time.

Question 7

True or false: Hinault once finished a stage with a broken collarbone and still won the overall race.

Accepted Answer

False. He did ride with a broken nose and broken ribs in the 1980 Giro d'Italia, but not a broken collarbone during a Tour win.

Question 8

True or false: Bernard Hinault is one of only seven cyclists in history to have won all three Grand Tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España).

Accepted Answer

True. Hinault won the Tour de France five times, the Giro d'Italia three times, and the Vuelta a España twice, making him part of an elite group of seven riders who have achieved a career sweep of all three Grand Tours.

Bernard Hinault Trivia Questions