Three-time champion, Bernard Hinault is set to be inducted into the Giro d´Italia Hall of Fame in a ceremony next Tuesday. Hinault is the sixth rider to be inducted into the race´s Hall of Fame and will join other former champions Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser, Felice Gimondi, Ercole Baldini and Stephen Roche. A ceremony will take place at the Teatro Gerolamo in Milan on Tuesday, March 28. Hinault, known for his position as the so-called `Patron´ of the peloton during his career, only rode the Giro d´Italia three times but won on each of those occasions and is one of only three Frenchmen to have stepped on the top of the race´s final podium. During those three appearances, Hinault also laid claim to six stage wins. Hinault´s first appearance and subsequent victory came in 1980, five years into his career. At the time, he had already won the Tour de France twice and the Vuelta a Espana. Hinault would spend two days in the leader´s jersey in the opening week but would then cede it to Roberto Visentini. Hinault did not take it back until the final mountain stage. He arrived in Milan two days later with a final lead of 5:43 over the Italian, Wladimiro Panizza.ADVERTISEMENT Following his emphatic Giro d´Italia win, Hinault´s defence of his Tour de France title was not as successful. It started well with three stage wins in the first week but tendinitis took hold, and he struggled until deciding to quit ahead of stage 13, while in the yellow jersey. It would be two years before Hinault would attempt the Giro-Tour double again. With another Tour de France title under his belt in 1981 Hinault returned to the Giro d´Italia the following season. The Frenchman went into pink on day one after his Renault-Elf team took victory in the opening team time trial. He would trade the jersey with several riders throughout the race before eventually winning it by a 2:35 margin over Bianchi rider Tommy Prim. Later that season, Hinault would take his fourth Tour de France title. Hi ...
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