The Tour de France is as much a three-week bike race as it is a blank canvas for the French tourism board to show off all that's great about the diverse regions of l'Hexagone. The 2025 race also marks a significant anniversary that French cycling will undoubtedly mention proudly over the next few weeks: the 40th anniversary of Bernard Hinault's record-equalling fifth Tour de France win.
However, for the triumph that this milestone recognises, the fact that it's the last time a Frenchman stood on the top step of the podium in Paris is a thorn in the side of French cycling fans.
