Categories: Anatomy of a Photo

Anatomy of a Photo: Greg LeMelvis and Tom Ritchey

Q'est que c'est le Fuck?

Brett’s article on the the 1995 Worlds set the standard of quality in our fledgling Anatomy of  a Photo series. The great tale he had to tell of watching it from Spain, the artifacts of mid-90’s racing such as the neon colors and handlebar attachments, to say nothing of the identification of Oliviero Rincon (who, I believe may have accomplished more in his career falling off his bike than winning races).

I’m following up on his analytical and articulate piece by submitting a photo that that does little more than make me giggle like a school girl.  This puppy could double as a groundbreaker in the Breaking the Rules series, given all the violations I’m seeing even at a first glance.  Quite frankly, I’m not sure what to say that this image doesn’t already communicate in spades.

We have LeMelvis, seemingly not in any way on the same page as American Cycling Icon Tom Ritchey.  He seems to be begging for Tom’s attention like a child tugging at his mother’s skirt. Tom seems to hardly notice the three-time Tour winner and is apparently intent on capturing him in this humiliating state.  Not that Greg needs help in that department, seems a proper genius at it, in fact.

Then we have the fact that LeMond is riding in a longsleeve jersey, and Tom has seen fit to (shoddily) cut the sleeves off his jersey altogether.  Seems to be bit of a difference betwixt the two in sense of temperature comfort zones, or perhaps a more coordinated evaluation of the outside temperature pre-ride would have been suitable.

In any case, this photo deserves a place in this series, and what better time than a Friday afternoon to stare at a computer screen and make fun of some people who have accomplished loads in their careers.  I prescribe heavy helpings of The V to both of them.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

View Comments

  • @Marcus

    And neither do I - thankfully - have an answer to your question. But it's a bloody good one. Cannot follow that decision at all.

    What do you reckon about the course? Is Bettini right? I'm picking the Australian selectors don't think it'll be a bunch sprint - otherwise they'd not have picked Cooke and would've picked Renshaw and McEwen (for the sprint) and Haussler (to take out CavenlookdownandrunovermywheeloncemoreandI'llnutyoudish).

    Most amusing bit is watching Robbie try to keep a lid on his anger. (Er, Robbie, you might not get there ahead of Heinie and MarkyMark even if Baden wasn't there.)

  • @G'phant
    Everyone I have spoken to who knows the course reckons it won't be a bunch sprint.

    And I believe that racing for GB will be Mark CavencantbelieveIhavetogetmyownfuckingdrinksdish.

  • Garrett and the Oils (pronounced Oyyyyyyyyy-olllllllllllls in 'Strine) lost all relevance around 85. Up til then they were a scorching live act, and their first 3 albums and the Bird Noises EP were, and still are, brilliant records. Then they sold out. Reference Beds are Burning or Blue Sky Mining. Shite.

    And as for his political career, Marcus summed it up perfectly. He sold out in music, and in politics (but his political capitulation actually hurt people, whereas his music only hurt the ears.)

  • Anyone wanna guess what the Grimplets' new team will be called?

    Les Frere Grimpuer Ganger Le Monde!!

  • @all
    By the way, if I were selecting a National Aussie team, I would overlook Cav's leadout man as well. I think Renshaw's loyalty to his mate would be considered a risk by any reasonable manager. I think every team would want to select for team unity above all else to avoid the Italian fiascos of the past.

  • Perhaps the better question should be: who's getting laid after the ride? Ummmm... that would be T.R. Besides, the guy is fucking railing his inner Richard Petty who may as well been winning Roubaix he was so damn cool. Sure, he was a internal combustion guy, so he is automatically disqualified. But c'mon. Who among us didn't worship the guys ability to slay everyone with his righteous cool? He would have kicked Poulidor's ass just as thoroughly as Antequil did. And he wouldn't have even let Lemon (dropped "d" intentional) into the damn race.

Share
Published by
frank

Recent Posts

Anatomy of a Photo: Sock & Shoe Game

I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s World Championship Road Race 2017

Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Women’s World Championship Road Race 2017

The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2017

Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…

7 years ago

Velominati Super Prestige: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian 2017

This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…

7 years ago

Route Finding

I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…

8 years ago