However,
Former pro runner five towers:
Professional runner for seven years. Consequently, the Montpellier competed five towers of France, including two alongside Bernard Hinault. For example, He remains faithful to the position by holding a boutique and repair of cycles for 35 years in Saint-Clément-de-Rivière. Moreover,
With its bikes. However, spare parts that occupy all the space, Patrick Bonnet’s store has a little air of yesteryear. In addition, As during each Tour de France, the former professional cyclist put TV on the counter. Similarly, “I do the repairs in the morning, and I light the TV at 1 pm to watch the tour. Meanwhile, Sometimes the memories go up to the surface through certain racing facts”.
Established in Saint-Clément-de-Rivière. Similarly, Patrick Bonnet retired three years ago, but he remains faithful to the position. For former pro runner five towers example, “I’ve been holding this cycles store for 35 years. Therefore, I have put it on sale and as long as there is nothing signed, I continue”.
A nod of fate, it is the maintenance of a gypsy bike that occupied it that day. However, Impossible not to rethink these three years (1980-82) in the Renault-Gitane jersey. However, “It was the first world team, coached by Cyril Guimard, with a huge leader, Bernard Hinault”.
Among the many photos clipped to the wall, an illustrious this link between the two men. Similarly, “It was during the 1982 Tour. Bernard had punctured the rear wheel on cobblestones. I gave him my wheel and I had put him up. But by helping him leave, I almost made him fall by turning his handlebars. I had dedicated the photo to Bernard, during a stage start on the esplanade.”
“I lived the golden age of cycling” – Former pro runner five towers
“I did eight years among the pros. every year was fantastic. I made five towers of France. with a third place in the stage that arrived in Montpellier, in 1980, in front of my parents and friends”.
Other great memories: his two towers of Italy where he even wore the pink jersey one day. And then all the major classics. “It was one of the exciting and happiness years. I lived the golden age of cycling.”
“My only regret is not to have played a world championship. not to have run with Eddy Merckx, who stopped his career in former pro runner five towers 1978 when I started mine in 1979.” It was in the continuity of a brilliant course among amateurs, marked by 65 victories.
On the Tour, he followed the Total Energy team more closely, coached by his friend Jean-René Bernaudeau. “We have finished our career together in the Wolber and System U” teams “. Patrick had done the same with Jean-François Rodriguez. They had even extended the pleasure at the Melgorian bicycle club, after their professional career.
“Jean-François had held a cycle store in Montpellier, Place Rondelet, for a lot of years. Before taking charge of a professional team then an amateur club.”
“The hat is a federation!”
His passion for cycling, the native of Montpellier inherited him from his family. “My first outings, it was with my father and my older brother who had started competition. And then there were us, the children, my cousins and even my cousins. former pro runner five towers And then my son and my daughters. Bonnet is a federation!”
On the walls are displayed the photos of races and podiums. “My eldest daughter Laeticia ran six or seven seasons. And my son Nicolas was champion of France against the hope watch. He could have gone very high but he stopped shortly after having become professional.” But nothing is lost. “Behind, there are five grandchildren!”
Thinking of them, Patrick sees himself again when he was ten years old. “I had received my first bike at Christmas. It was a Liberia Rouge, bought in Montpellier, in rue de Verdun”.
Patrick Bonnet is looking forward to the stage of July 22. “I think I will watch her on TV, quietly. The Ventoux is the justice of the peace. I practiced her in Paris-Nice and the Dauphiné Libéré. A few years ago, I climbed it twice with friends, on electric bikes. We former pro runner five towers take pleasure because we pedal without forcing.” Far from the frantic pace of the peloton …
Further reading: 14-July in Charente: the prefecture strengthens security and recalls the measures to follow – “Drumming New Caledonia of France is an idea that one cannot accept” – In Val-d’Oise, four police officers indicted, accused of violence on a teenager – In 1998, France was world football champion – Ex-Miss France Rachel Legrain-Trapani sexually assaulted at the Avignon Festival.
