A lot has been made lately of the fact that riders today are lacking a little bit of the V. It’s not so much a criticism of how they conduct themselves during a race (although that has also been called into question lately), but in their general demeanor towards their life as a cyclist.
It doesn’t surprise me much; historically, riders chose a life on the bike as an escape from their other occupational choice which typically involved hard manual labor in a dark pit or on a cold field whereas today’s riders generally come from more privileged backgrounds and find their way into this world from a life of relative luxury.
A life of hardship went beyond their working-class roots, it applied to their life on the bike as well. They scaled the same passes we do today, except they did it over dirt roads aboard heavy, flexy bikes with relaxed geometries, wearing what amounted to little more than leather loafers. Hardness wasn’t something to aspire to; it was simply the way it was.
This is one of my favorite photos of a cyclist, and the bicycle is nowhere to be seen. From the look on his face, Coppi just ate himself a Schlecklette and, based on the gesture he’s making, is preparing to drop trou and shit ‘im right back out.
To put Cipollini’s sentiments above into Coppi’s words:
Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.
To todays generation of riders, I offer this advice: take no prisoners, fucktards.
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@Marko
@Mikeweb
A couple of weeks ago there was a article where he was bemoaning his AGR2 days. He was also saying it was the team that held him back. Thor needs to be re-educated in The V.
great foto Frank!
sorry for the belated entry, work is killin me.
I look at this and see a man who is pissed beyond measure. other passer byers asking 'what happened'...he doesn't even hear them. He's pissed. Missed opportunity, perhaps Gino cooked him, perhaps he had a mechanical, whatever... it mattered none because he's pissed, didn't hit pay dirt and won't be taking anything home despite the suffering...and missed opportunity.
when those MEN didn't win, they didn't eat.
Beautiful foto, i have never seen that one frank.
Not to be too argumentative but Cuddles has the rainbow bands on his sleeve. And when did Andy win Flanders or Paris-Roubaix (you said something about winning the "biggest classic, right? :)
@Buck Rogers
He has a LBL win in 2009. That is pretty big.
@SupermanSam
GREAT photo! I had not seen that one! Thanks for posting it!
Yes, I know that. My point is that Flanders and P-R, in my opinion, are the #1 & #2 (in no particular order) "biggest classics". Mostly said in jest as it would be a worthy thread to discuss which ONE classic is the "biggest" to win. L-B-L might be the oldest but I would rather have a Flanders or P-R win than 2+ L-B-L wins!
@Buck Rogers
That would be Liege; La Doyenne. Cuddles won the Worlds, but so did Ballan, Astarloa, Vainsteins, Brochard, Leblanc, and Dhaenens. Winning the bands doesn't make you a good rider. Riding the way he did last year while wearing the bands does. And he put in quite a ride today.
At the end of the day, both Andy and Cuddles are riders with potential who have not yet reached it. They both have good results under the belt and both are lacking the goods to really put their name on the map.
Beyond that, it's a pissing match between mancrushes and nationalists who are eager for a GT win; both parties try to turn a good rider into something they're not. That is all.
Not to add fuel to the Schleck/Cuddles debate here (though it is an interesting two-on-two discussion (good C, bad C)), but do any conspiracy theorists see money being exchanged at LBL for the Schleck-express to the line for Gilbert?
@Buck Rogers
I agree with you, but I think conventionally LBL is considered the most prestigious race, though I would take RVV or PR any day and think they're much better/cooler/harder races.
LBL arguably has the most competitive field, with far more riders who compete for the win, as compared to RVV and PR in particular, which only suits a small number or riders.
Masterclass. Funny as fuck. Cunego could do a handstand and steer with his feet while pedaling with his hands and beat Fränk in a sprint.
Note: Fränk attacked way before the sprint; he left him behind on the slopes a few kms from the line. Cunego ain't that kinda climber. The cash payment I'm sure helped, but avoiding the sprint helped make it more believable.