Hinault vs LeMond: The 1986 Tour de France

Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond: teammates, a promise and the 1986 Tour de France, plus LeMond’s eight-second win over Fignon in 1989.

By Jonathan Ciaccio November 10, 2026 2 min read

The Corbah Patriot American flag cycling jersey.

One of the most famous rivalries in Tour de France history was between two riders on the same team.

The riders

Bernard Hinault: won the Tour five times, in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1985.
Greg LeMond: won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990, and was the first rider from outside Europe to win it.

1985 and 1986

In 1985 LeMond rode for Hinault and finished second, 1:42 behind him. Hinault said publicly that he’d help LeMond win in 1986. Then, during the 1986 Tour, he attacked. On stage 18 the two crossed the line at Alpe d’Huez together, hand in hand, with Hinault taking the stage. LeMond won the Tour by 3:10.

Rider in the Corbah TOUGH jersey climbing a mountain road past pines and granite.

Fignon and eight seconds

Laurent Fignon had beaten Hinault by more than ten minutes in 1984. In 1989 he and LeMond fought all the way to Paris, and LeMond won by eight seconds.

Ride like it matters

LeMond was the first American to win the Tour. For an American flag jersey, see The Patriot. For the mountains these riders fought over, see our Climbs jerseys, and for the plain look of the old days, the Classics Midnight Black jersey in a men’s and women’s cut. Every piece is made to order, with free personalization.

More rivalries: cycling’s greatest rivalries.

Written by Jonathan Ciaccio at Corbah

Corbah designs original cycling jerseys and kit, made to order with free personalization on every jersey. Want one that's only yours? Request a free custom design.