Spiderman photo: G. Watson
How can anyone be such a great cyclist and look so ungainly on a bike? Does this not violate a basic tenet of V-philosophy? Would he not be faster if his knees and elbows were tucked in neatly, aligned with his forward motion?
On riding style alone Quintana has a huge edge, he just looks good as he climbs. He should be able to summon some extra V just on the looking-good-is-feeling-good-factor.
Pinot versus Bardet: Pinot always looks like he is in a fight with his bike on the uphills. Again, wouldn’t less fighting and more souplesse translate into more speed? Like Tommy ‘man of a thousand faces’ Voeckler, his climbing style of off the back, sprint forward, out of the saddle, jersey open, drift off the back again…and repeat. It makes no sense but the guy gets it done.
Looking good on the rivet on the flats is easier: a flat back, everything tucked in, body pulled low over the bike, almost everyone looks pretty awesome going hard when the terrain is level. Put the road into double digit ascent and everything comes off the rails. One’s inner climbing monkey comes out and some monkeys just look better than others. It’s not a reflection of inner beauty or Hardness or a life more cleanly lived. To paraphrase Don ‘puddin’ face’ Rumsfeld, you climb with the monkey you got, not the climbing monkey you wish you had.
My monkey is a slothie, sweaty old beast with one paw in the grave. It’s always been my monkey and we have become good friends. Froome’s is a Sumatran spider monkey, hopped up on a diet of buffo toads and fermented bananas. When that monkey appears, everyone better get out of the way.
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@Teocalli
True story. I maintain the reason Sagan doesn't win races or stages much any more is because he won't cut his hippy hair.
@Barracuda
At least he doesn't think this is Slow Twitch.
@Owen
Have you seen Aru's hair these days? I remember seeing pics from a few years back and there was a barber on hand during the Tour in case a rider wanted a wee trim. Clearly, if he's still there he's not very busy these days.
In any case, Anquetil had the best hair ever.
Talking of Anquetil is this his wife? She looks similar but I can't find any credit to confirm. Possibly from the period before they were married (if you know the story of that).
@wiscot
Aru is winning stages when?
@Teocalli
@wiscot should note that I'm not making arguments on relative attractiveness of wives in the peleton. Only haircuts.
@Owen
What?? Have you missed his season? He's the most winning World Champion in recent memory!
@Oli
This is true.
And regardless of the rainbow bands Sagan is having one of his better seasons anyway - he's always been one of the best riders but not made the top step at the biggest races, whereas this year he's got his first Monument and a Tour stage.
@Owen
Anquetil's wife was a blonde, but I'm pretty sure this isn't her being "autographed."
@Owen. Of course not. We like to keep things high-minded around here! Speaking of which, ou est la femme d'Assos aujourd hui? (Sorry for the awful French).
@wiscot
It's been a while since I read the book but I have a vague recollection that the girl in the photo is the "Miss France" of the day, or some film starlet at Cannes. I agree that it's not his wife though.