Michele Bartoli, possibly the pioneer of the small frame and slammed stem.
The difference between Style and Fashion is that Fashion changes, but style is something that persists through the ages. You can’t buy it, and you either have it or you don’t. In other words, you can get all the best and expensive kit and still look complete crap if you don’t have Style. Conversely, you can wear the most crap kit possible and make it look good if you have the gift. That is why photos of Anquetil, the Prophet and Roger de Vlaeminck still blow our minds even though they are wearing completely outdated kit. This is also why Pantani could wear lycra jeans and Cipollini could wear a Zebra suit and make us contemplate trying our hands at it. (We should not.)
If there was an upside to the EPO era, it meant that a number of riders who had immaculate style may never have risen to the top of the fish bowl if it weren’t for EPO. Allegedly. Michele Bartoli was a prime example of a rider who was so doped up that he had plenty of bandwidth left for a complete and total commitment to Looking Fantastic at All Times. Allegedly. Let’s face facts (allegedly): the Mapei kit would have been lining the rubbish bin if it weren’t for riders like Bartoli and Frank Vandenbroucke. And Michele pioneered the mini-frame with long, slammed stem and a meter of seatpin.
I think we all agree that doping is wrong, but it doesn’t feel so wrong when they looked so good. We owe him a weighty debt for his contribution.
Shameless Plug: come down to the Rouleur Classic this week to listen to me cover this topic in greater detail. And then head to the pub with me afterward to hear me do it louder. My speaking schedule is as follows:
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@Chipomarc
Clearly the welding fumes have affected his taste buds
@Lister
That's the finest beer your old women can bring to you after a hard day at the shipyard.
@Skip
Well, great to see you around again my friend.
@gilly
My trip to London suggests that the English have a natural affinity for it.
@frank
Chapeau @frank, hope you've enjoyed your time here. I had hoped to catch you at The Rouleur event but family came first ( yes I know that's a rule violation! ) For me, Kennaugh hits effortlessly cool and CD in that shot, you've got it or you don't.
I've been taking on bike selfies with my cell phone but it always makes my face seem too fat. Just purchased a nice little point and shoot camera but it also is doing that. : (
@Chipomarc
This will make you feel better.
We can always do some slight tweaking to selfies
EEEK!
That really does not help.
*sob*
@Chipomarc
Pretentious? Hipster? Ale? I've never seen those three words in the same sentence before. What did I miss?
I've been drinking real ale for years and I couldn't be any less hip if I'd just had my pelvis removed.
Have hipsters taken over our ale as well as our cycling caps and track bikes now too? Fuckers.