Bernard Hinault to announce shock retirement?

Hinault created a stir on Saturday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Hinault fans. Speculation had been rife that the French athlete will announce his retirement from sports, at age 71, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 18/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouBernard

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouBernard was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouBernard.”
— @DesireePlum, 17 Jan 2026

“I thought Bernard Hinault retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 17 Jan 2026

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