Barnard Hinault in Jersey. Picture by Danny Evans

TOUR de France legend Bernard Hinault will visit the Island again to support the Tour de Bretagne next year.

The five-time winner of the Tour de France, and current official commentator on the Tour’s website, is now a fan of Jersey and its cycling scene since his first visit here last year.

Hinault has shown his support to Jersey this year by contributing an article to the French language brochure Pure Jersey, a publication that promotes the Island as an ideal destination for a cycling holiday.

The 44th Tour de Bretagne will stage a two-day event in Jersey in April 2010, an announcement that was made at the French National Cycling Championships in St Brieu, Brittany, recently.

A 150 kilometre road race will be held, ten laps of a 15k circuit from Gorey Village and then along the North coast. Time trials will be held the following day on the Five Mile Road.

Economic development minister Senator Alan Maclean said: ‘Securing a visit from such a great cycling hero like Bernard to support stages in Jersey is a huge honour and goes to show the significance of the event.’