Velotology Educational Series

Hello, Velotologists 

It’s time for another VES (Velotology Educational Series) episode. Today’s article focuses on the life of Cyrille Guimard – a distinguished French former professional cyclist and directeur sportif, celebrated for coaching multiple Tour de France champions, including Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond. 

Below I have neatly prepared interesting moments from his life story that a cycling scholar like you will find interesting. 

Let’s go. 

Cyrille Guimard Was a Champion In Three Cycling Disciplines But Was Never Awarded All Titles

Most cyclists focus on one form of cycling, but this wasn’t the case for Guimard. He competed in road, track, and cyclocross (a.k.a. gravel). In 1967 and 1970, he won respectively the national road and track sprint title. [Guimard’s cyclocross title came in 1976.]

His road win in the 1970s National Championships in France was controversial because it only came after the original winner (Paul Gutty) failed a drug test. However, the federation didn’t retroactively give the title to Guimard. 

Why? 

Many believe that the federation’s sentiments towards Guimard were motivated by his other occupation –  at only 23, he became the president of the Union Nationale des Coureurs Professionels (UNCP), the professional riders’ union in France.

What’s the issue? 

I’ve read enough cycling history to know that there’s often a disagreement between what the organizers of races want and how the riders feel about those demands. 

Therefore, the cold feelings in this case aren’t a surprise. 

Guimard Led An Epic Battle With Eddy Merckx In 1972

During the 1972 Tour de France, Guimard entered a vicious “duel” against none other than Eddy Merckx. 

Guimard won stages 1, 4, and 14B and was therefore wearing the yellow jersey during stage 15 (Aix-les-Bains – Le Revard, 28 km) when it was time to battle Merkx in the mountains. 

Guimard had bad knees that had gotten worse in 1969 after a training accident. But he pushed as hard as he could and won stage 15 too in the most dramatic fashion. 

You’ve probably seen some of the videos where a competitor celebrates too early only to lose a millisecond later. Well, this was one of those moments for Merkx. He raised his hands only to see Guimard come out of nowhere and lose by 10cm. 

Below is the ranking from that stage (source):

Tour de France 1972, Stage 15(Aix-les-Bains – Le Revard, 28 km)

The knee pain of Guimard was so severe that he needed help walking to his bike as well as away from it. 

(I guess that this situation can serve as yet another evidence that pedaling’s low impact makes the sport knee-friendly. But let’s get back on track.)

Sadly, Guimard had to drop out of the race due to the injury. And with that, his epic battle against Mercxk ended too. 

Guimard continued racing, and as already mentioned became a cyclocross champion in 1976. But his Tour de France performance was never the same. He joined the tour in 1973 and 1974 and won a stage in each edition – but for his level that couldn’t be seen as a major accomplishment. 

The Coach Who Could Understand Riders

Due to knee pain and overall fatigue, Guimard switched to coaching and team management. This was one of his greatest moves as he boosted the careers of many great cyclists. 

The table below speaks for itself:

Guimard differed from popular strategists for two main reasons:

1. He thought from the rider’s perspective too – a quality that his team members greatly appreciated as it saved them from burning out.

2. He introduced the idea of planning your entire career like a race.

Bernard Hinault, one of the most famous cyclists in France, was particularly grateful that Guimard showed him the need to plan your professional journey.  

Quote: “He had no intention of taking on too much too early. Just as you plan your tactics before each race, so you should have a career strategy, too, at least for the first three or four years.” 

Guimard’s pacing strategy was deployed in 1977 when Hinault skipped the Tour de France to preserve his energy for the future. 

Well, it worked. Hinault won in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985.

Guimard Pinoeered The Production of Road Frames and Handlebars With a Tear-drop Profile

Guimard was big on aerodynamics, and one of the first to take riders to wind tunnels to analyze their more efficient riding stance. 

He worked on the frame set of Gitane Profile – the first bike with teardrop-shaped tubes and handlebars. 

The goal was, of course, to reduce drag. A recreational rider will not feel a difference, but professionals could extract a small benefit in the long run.

Below is a table summarizing the accomplishments of Cyrille Guimard:

Sources: 

“Interview de Cyrille Guimard: “la conjoncture actuelle impose un changement radical et novateur dans l’appréhension de notre sport.” Retrieved 2023-03-05.

Hinault, Bernard (1988), Bernard Hinault: Memories of the Peloton, Springfield, UK, ISBN 0-947655-55-7

Thomas-Commin, Anthony. “Clock Hunters”. L’Équipe. Retrieved 2023-03-05.