The 1986 Tour de France is one of the most memorable to American fans, due to Greg LeMond becoming the first American to win Tour de France.

Following the success of Bernard Hinault the previous year, the La Vie Claire team is heavily favored. In the 1985 Tour de France, Bernard Hinault promised to return LeMond's support to win the race. However, continuing attacks cast doubt on Hinault's sincerity. He claimed that his tactics was simply to wear down LeMond's (and his) opponents and that he ultimately knew that LeMond would be the winner because of time losses earlier in the race. Regardless of his true motives, this tactic worked well, and rivals Laurent Fignon and Urs Zimmermann were put on the defensive from the first day. Laurent Fignon quit the race due to injuries aggravated by stress.

The ascent of the legendary l'Alpe d'Huez gave spectators a spectacular stage in which Hinault made a suicidal solo attack to demoralize the opposition, to be matched only by LeMond at the top. In a gesture of respect, the two riders reached the top hand-in-hand, beaming smiles, and LeMond let Hinault finish first to claim the stage. However, within hours their competition resumed during interviews in French television.

In the end, LeMond was crowned winner of the race and Hinault retired shortly afterwards.