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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If that had been a grand tour stage, I would fully understand. You try to just ride smart and survive to fight another day. That is the name of the game with a stage race, and maybe the problem is those guys are grand tour riders. But for LBL, I'll quote the great Apollo Creed--"there is no tomorrow."
This was a one day Classics race. There is honor in burying yourself trying for the win. You ride for your fans and supporters and yourself so everyone can hold their head high and know you gave everything you had. If I had seen one of those guys jump out of the saddle and put in at least one hard dig, maybe I'd understand. When you don't even try, you just pump confidence and adrenaline into your competitor. He smells blood and grows wings and launches his own attack on his terms to shed the BMC rider and ensure he gets the win without a sprint. That is how I see it at least.
I was certainly rooting for Andy Schleck in last year's tour against Cheatador, but this time around I'm going to be hoping for someone else to shows up for the party.
@Cyclops
I suppose but is that a golf term? If it is, certainly yes. I had to search it on the google.
@Il buccaneero
Fucking Brilliant!
@Jarvis
I'm with you. This seems a perfect item for the lexicon. I watched the final again and I have to say, it doesn't matter how baked they were, they should have tag teamed Phil some on the last climb...something, but no.
@Il buccaneero
Let's get the chant going here "Cuddles, Cuddles, Cuddles, Cuddles!" It'll play out so well if Good Cadel shows in July AND doesn't get hurt. I'm quickly running out of riders to get behind if he doesn't show up. I'll tune out midway through if it shapes up to be another Clencheatubator/Frandy bromance.
@Marko
About as likely as seeing a Schlecklette showing tactical sense!
Clenny will be banned (here's hoping), the Schlecks will bugger something up, Cuddles will crash or get caught behind a crash. This could prove to be one of the best and most wide open tours ever.
@Marko
If the Court of Arbitration of Sport does not do some serious Schlecking of its own Clenbutador will be hopefully on a long-earned long-term rest come July...
If so, will Team Lay-apart be able to control the bunch up the big cols? Jens, Stuey and Cance are great domestiques up all but the big climbs when Frank might start needing to take some responsibility all on his own.
Leaving aside my wish for somebody to stand on his dog so Cuddles gets really angry, oh, how I would love to see Vino make one (or more than one) Krazy Kazakh Attack (the "Vino KKA") to start fucking with the bunch. Roll on the Tour - and the Giro!
I vote for the appropriate additions to The Lexicon. All praise be to the glory of Merckx.
I'd like to see Evans win the Tour - how good would that be for Australasian cycling?
@Oli Brooke-White
If he wins it will be great for Australian cycling.
If he doesn't we'll say he's a kiwi.
Haha!