�������t¶��

Look at the pictures and you’ll come across five-time champion Bernard Hinault and Tour director Christian Prudhomme, both looking so humble as a daunting mountain covered with snow looms large over them.

"Even in the bad conditions people were always by the side of the road," says Hinault.

Five-time Tour champion Bernard Hinault - the last Frenchman to win the race - cautioned against it going ahead amid the uncertainty of how long the epidemic will last.

Outside of cycling’s circles, his status eclipsed the achievements of Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, the two French members of the elite club of five-time Tour winners.

Outside of cycling’s circles, his status as cycling’s nearly man eclipsed the achievements of Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, the two French members of the elite club of five-time Tour winners.