He was not sure to watch the Worlds but ultimately it was stronger than him.
Bernard Hinault threw himself on the remote control to witness a distant passing of the baton.
He, whose world title in 1980 had announced three more victories in the Tour de France, does not however predict the same future for Julian Alaphilippe.
This does not prevent him from sincerely appreciating the 28-year-old neo-champion of the world.
What is your feeling after Alaphilippe's victory?
BERNARD HINAULT.
An immense joy to begin with.
Sorry, but one would have to be a complete fool not to rejoice in the victory of a runner like that.
It is not a title of world champion by chance or almost as we have sometimes known.
He put on his "cleat" at the right time.
It seems easy to say: "This is where you have to attack".
That's when you're in front of your TV and you don't know anything about cycling.
The truth is, he was the strongest and he was the only one who could light the right fuse.
Well done champion.
Precisely, is he a "handsome" world champion?
When I say that he is not there on a stroke of luck, it is because he already has a great track record.
He has won classics, stages on the Tour and defended his yellow jersey super well.
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Does he look like you?
Not at the physical level but in the aggressiveness and the will, yes, we can say that Alaphilippe is a bit my heir.
He did not have my athletic means but what he does with his is very strong.
Can this rainbow jersey serve as a trigger for the future and especially on the Tour de France?
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If you are thinking of winning the Tour, I will say no.
It is too limited in the high mountains and for me that will not change.
But for the classics or even for another World Championship then, there, I say yes.
And a big yes!
He has just proved to himself that in one day races he was among the best of his generation.
I'm sure Julian will bring back some more beautiful ones in his purse.