Bernard Hinault, Stage 12, 1978 Tour de France, Original Vintage Press Photo

Bernard Hinault speaks with Jen-Michael Baylet, Mayor of Valence-d’Agen, after the rider protest on Stage 12a.

In 1978 Bernard Hinault started his first Tour de France as the reigning French Champion and winner of the 1978 Vuelta. He won his first Tour de France by controlling the climbers and knocking out the competition in the final Time Trial, taking the Yellow Jersey three days from the finish in Paris.

Stage 12 at the 1978 Tour was, split into two sections. This meant that after the transfer from the previous stage, the riders were not in bed before 12:00 am, and had to wake up at 5:00 am. In the early stage to Valence-d’Agen, the riders held a strike against the early start. They rode at a slow pace of 20 kilometers per hour (12 mph), arrived at the finish well behind schedule, and crossed the finish line walking. The Tour officials canceled the stage.

Photo Size: 9.5 x 7 inches  (24 x 18 cm)

This 1978 Tour de France photo came out of a larger Presse Sport Photo album. Each photo is held to the description page with photo corners; no glue or tape was used.

As the photographs are quite old and one of a kind, please look carefully at the photos to determine their condition.

This photograph is an original print – the real deal.