Twenty-five years ago Bernard Hinault won the Tour de France. Laurent Jalabert retired in 2002. Those two events represent the last time a Frenchman won the Grande Boucle, and the last great champion the country has produced. The last eight years have had some bright spots for France, but those moments were fleeting, with success on cycling's biggest stages being few and far between - until now.
Today's win by Pierrick Fédrigo represents a continuation of the 2010 renaissance of French cycling, and marked an incredible sixth stage success by a Frenchman in this year's Tour de France. Hinault had some harsh words for his compatriots during the last edition of the Tour de France in Montereau, and perhaps the man known as "The Badger", finally got through to his intended audience.
"The French make too much money and do not make enough effort," he told Le Parisien last July. "They should be holding back part of their wages and only give it to them if they get a victory."
Hinault said the French don't train hard enough adding, "Cycling is a tough job, but it's better than going to the factory."
The last time France won six stages of its home Tour was back in 1997, and this was in the “pre-Festina” era. Since that time the French have claimed that cycling was conducted at deux-vitesses (two-speeds), as French riders claimed – not entirely unreasonably – that they were subjected to far more controls than those of other nations. Foreigners, they claimed, could dope, but the French had to ride clean.
Along with the country's run of stage wins, French riders Anthony Charteau and Christophe Moreau occupy the top two places of the mountains classification, with one of them almost certain to wear the polka-dots in Paris this Sunday.
France managed four stage wins last year, which itself was the best return for many years; it’s not surprising that three of last year’s winners have also been winners this time. Voeckler, Fédrigo and Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) won last year as well as this; but the fourth winner, Brice Feillu, rides for Vacansoleil this year, who were not invited to the race.
In addition to these three, Sylvain Chavanel (twice) and Christophe Riblon have also taken stages in 2010.
It’s not just in the Tour that the French are enjoying such a renaissance though, this spring saw them begin to excel in races away from home; the best result of these being Jérôme Pineau’s victory in stage 5 of the Giro d’Italia
While there are a lot of grounds for celebration though, it’s important not to get too carried away; while France has six wins so far, it is highly unlikely to take a seventh.
Of the four remaining stages, none suits the characteristics of any French riders. Thursday’s stage to the top of the Tourmalet should be a showdown between the top riders on the general classification; Friday’s stage to Bordeaux and Sunday’s stage to Paris will almost certainly both finish in sprints; while Saturday’s stage is a time trial.
France’s best placed rider overall is AG2R-La Mondiale’s John Gadret in 20th position, 14’24” behind Alberto Contador; France’s best sprinter in the race so far has been Bbox Bouyges Telecom’s Sébastien Turgot, with three consecutive 6th places in stages 4, 5 and 6; while the nation’s best performance in the race’s only time trial so far was Cofidis’ Damien Monier in 38th place.
While France’s prospects for opportunistic stage wins and mountain points are healthy, the 25-year wait for a French Tour winner looks set to continue.