47th World Championship Road Race 1980

Hinault Ends an 18 Year French Drought

The 1979 World Championship Road Race was held in Sallanches, France. The riders went off with rain and cold to face 20 laps of a tough 13.4 km race course, which included twenty times up the Cote de Domancy. The race course in the French Alps was being assessed in the media as the toughest World Championship race course of all time.

A very motivated Bernard Hinault entered the 1980 World Championship Road Race in Sallanches, France focused on one thing… WINNING!  After having abandoning the Tour de France with tendonitis Hinault had something to prove.

Hinault flexed his legs on the first climb of the Domancy. The attack drew an immediate reaction from the contenders and the peloton re-grouped quickly on the descent. The tone for the race was set.

On the thirteenth lap Belgian Michel Pollentier launched the decisive attack on the Domancy. Hinault easily answered the move and joined Pollentier. The breakaway became five riders strong with Gianbattista Baronchelli (Ita), Giovanni Battaglin (Ita), and Johan Van der Velde (Ned) bridging up to the leaders. 

Hinault leading the 5 rider breakaway

When Bernard Hinault took over the pace setting the breakaway group split. One by one Pollentier, Battaglin, and Vandervelde were tailed off the break. Only Gian Baronchelli could hold the Frenchman’s wheel with 2 laps remaining. 

Bernard Hinault's solo victory!!!

Hinault waited until the last lap to jump away from Baronchelli and ride solo into the finish to the roar of the huge French crowd. Bernard Hinault crossed the finish line to become the first French World Champion since Jean Stablinski in 1962.

WCRR 1979

WCRR 1981

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