Categories: Anatomy of a Photo

Anatomy of a Photo: Unveiling of Banesto’s New Kit

With the “widely anticipated” unveiling of both Leopard-Trek’s and Garmin-Cervelo’s new kits we thought it would be interesting to look back into the archives to see how it used to be done. Nowadays, the new team and kit presentations are done with much fanfare, limousines, black-tie events, and sometimes even strippers. But back in the day (at least in the early 90’s) it was a much more simple affair.

Looking at this photo it’s not hard to imagine the Banesto squad prepping outside on the Banesto bank steps in Madrid or some such place while the bank’s board of dignitaries waits inside in the conference room to see the product of their investments. But this photo leaves the viewer with these questions. Is the team fixing to mess with the board by hiking up their bibs, pulling down their leg warmers, and wearing their sunnies underneath helmet straps? Are they initiating new riders to The Rules by visually demonstrating crisp tanlines and the faux pas of short socks? Or maybe they’re waiting for Big Mig to show up and dress them properly. These are the questions a Velominatus asks.

(disclaimer: after vigorous “research” it was determined that it is not known whether this picture was taken at a pre-season team meeting or even in Spain for that matter)

Marko

Marko lives and rides in the upper midwest of the States, Minnesota specifically. "Cycling territory" and "the midwest" don't usually end up in the same sentence unless the conversation turns to the roots of LeMond, Hampsten, Heiden and Ochowitz. While the pavé and bergs of Flanders are his preferred places to ride, you can usually find him harvesting gravel along forest and farm roads. He owes a lot to Cycling and his greatest contribution to cycling may forever be coining the term Rainbow Turd.

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RideFit says:

Jan 11 2011 at 2:20 pm
frank says:

Jan 11 2011 at 2:31 pm

@Oli Brooke-White
I was really, really, really, really hoping they were their racing capes waiting and not a soft-ass lame reason like "we don't like soggy saddles". I refuse to believe that's the reason.

While I agree on the practicality of the visor, under the helmet flip-ups just don't work, unless, as I outlined before, there is enough other Awesome happening. Suffice to say, none of us should attempt it, and your explanation falls short of explaining why the blazes the hummer guy his his flipped up.

Also, there is no reason on Earth good enough to justify rolling short up and legging down like that - at least not in public. I don't care what they are doing - that look can only be executed in a small, dark room with no witnesses.

@RideFit
Beautiful.
Buck Rogers says:

Jan 11 2011 at 3:19 pm

@RideFit

I wonder if they'll let him wear his cycling cap in the slammer!
Buck Rogers says:

Jan 11 2011 at 3:20 pm

@Cyclops

Damn man, I did not realize that Poisen and White Snake ever raced for the Coors Light Team.
Nate says:

Jan 11 2011 at 3:37 pm

@frank
On a recent cold, damp but not really raining ride during which my glasses kept fogging I tried the Gilbert brim-flip. The brim did a nice job deflecting the airflow over my lenses thereby defogging them.

Otherwise as big a fan as I am of Phil-Gil I can't endorse the brim flip for us mere mortals in bright sun, or in pouring rain as during his recent Lombardia triumph.
Gillis says:

Jan 11 2011 at 3:57 pm

I don't know what you guys are staring at. All I see are Time pedals, C-Record cranks and Delta brakes.
ben says:

Jan 11 2011 at 8:13 pm

1. Gilbert flips his lid because he's always got his nose on the fucking stem, just wailin' on dudes.

2. Internet indicates this is Banesto circa 1991*. Best guesses** (L to R) Armand de Las Cuevas, ??, Fabian Fuchs, Jean-Francois Bernard

3. I'd have to guess an early-to-mid-early race. Armand de las Cuevas has some tanned guns there, but the one with his back turned - I'd suspect Miguel Indurain, especially with the relative light tan on the legs - indicating he's just started racing into form. (Also his haircut is HELLA tidy, and he's popping the hat over the chorizo hairnet)

* http://www.memoire-du-cyclisme.net/pelotons/equipes.php?q=9156
** http://www.cyclingarchives.com/ploegfiche.php?id=8274
pakrat says:

Jan 11 2011 at 9:57 pm

First time I've seen a cycling team employ a fluffer.
Oli Brooke-White says:

Jan 11 2011 at 10:24 pm

Number 29 isn't Indurain, that's Jeff Bernard. The guy sitting down is Perico Delgado. Don't know about the other two, but I'm pretty sure that's not Armand de las Cuevas on the left.

@Frank - a pro has to protect his musket and balls, hence not starting a race on a cold, wet saddle. This is just good sense. They don't roll their shorts down until the liniment is fully soaked in. This is also good sense.

And, while I agree with you on flipped caps under helmets not being super stylish, I figure they probably didn't have this photo taken with a bunch of anal fashion weenies and their arbitrary rules in mind...
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Jan 12 2011 at 12:10 am

Still today in a era of high-tech team bus (like the team Sky) this is the atmosphere that you can find at the start of a Spring 'Classica' and it's fantastic to be there.

I've always been disappointed by the 'diva racers' that stay in the ammiraglia or in the team bus until the very last minutes before the start, whatever the reason as John Wayne said: 'It's a sign of weakness'.