“Tadej Pogacar is above, but …”
Hello Bernard. You came to the Tour, we were recently on the lands of another Bernard (Hinault), in Saint-Malo. We are still far from your lands, but already: your impressions on this first week?
What I remember is that this turn left very strong. And above all, the main favorites already meet iron since the first day. It is quite rare in a large tour that lasts three weeks. Usually, the first week is rather an observation phase, even if it cannot be said that it is a walk. But there, we feel an immediate and constant commitment from the start, in almost all stages.
Is there a runner who seems to you above the lot?
Yes, Pogacar is above, it's obvious. But it does not dominate outrageously. There is still hope for the future, because the differences are not yet so important. We have not yet crossed a single pass! When the real climbs arrive, it will move. And it could even redefine the current hierarchy. It is often said that the truth of the first week of the Tour is not that of the third, and it is very true.
Precisely, many doubt Jonas Vingegaard. However, he says he keep confidence. And you, Bernard Thévenet, do you believe it?
On what he showed in Mûr-de-Bretagne, yes. He was not so far from Pogacar. I'm glad he still believes it, because if he had lost confidence, his turn would already be over. And then, it is not unreasonable hope. It is a solid hope. As long as he believes in it, anything is possible.
“Paul Seixas? Do not burn the steps”
Let's talk about the French. We are still waiting for a feat. Did you expect the “Vauquelinmania” on this 2025 Tour?
No, not really. But Vauquelin has already shown great things. He was present last year, maybe not three weeks, but he was there. And this year, he has further progressed. I hope he will continue to gain power for two or three years. We have very good French runners today, but we are still waiting for this famous feat in the Tour.
What other names do you follow?
Paul Magnier is not there, but he won races in the sprint in Belgium and the Netherlands. Romain Grégoire made a good start to the turn. Lenny Martinez is a bit of sawfall, but I think he can win a step before Paris. We have good elements, and above all, we start to believe in French cycling. That's the most important.
Another name is talked about: Paul Sexas. This year is missing this year?
Yes, but you shouldn't burn the steps. He is 18 years old. He is still far from the high level, but he is four years old to get there. And I believe it. I think that by then, he can play the Tour podium.
“I am in my 53rd Tour de France, like Cyrille Guimard”
An injury this winter, how are you going today?
Everything is fine, thank you. I had a bad fall on a staircase, I missed a walk and made six fractures at the foot. But I was well treated, it is recovering slowly. It is not yet perfect, because age also plays, it seems (smile). But healing takes its course.
And the Tours de France, are you still counting them?
It's funny that you were asking the question, because I am in my 53rd Tour de France, like Cyrille Guimard! We are equal. And it's not over, I hope. I always have the same enthusiasm. On the race of course, but also outside. When we see the public's fervor, the craze, we tell ourselves that cycling still has very bright days ahead of it.
