Andrei Tchmil got so tired of the palpable disappointment of not being Belgian that he decided to become one. Envision the world the way you want it to be, then make it so.
People are cynical when I talk about Belgium. They think I’m only Belgian on paper. That is not true. Yes, I was a Russian, even a proud one…. Now I am proud to be Belgian.
A-Merckx; I totally understand the Awesome you’re on about.
Incidentally, I’m so inappropriately excited about Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 that I can’t promise next week won’t be another week of unabashed, full-frontal Belgian Toothpaste Porn.
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@Steampunk
Great footage. Must watch through to the end.
Here's Tchmil at P-R in 1994, powering along 'roads' so rough that the bikes are in the process of falling off the team car. Possibly.
You've got to love the old RockShox SLs, there's something very cool about them along with P-R tech in general. A subject for a future article perhaps?
I think there should be a new rule: all photographs of Paris-Roubaix should be printed in black-and-white. C'mon, you know they just look better that way. In fact, color photography should be banned from all the spring classics.
@frank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCnZqg1RgGA&feature=related
@Marko
Dude! That just sounds all wrong!
@Steampunk
Here's what I like about the Vanderaerden pic I posted:
1. He's covered in mud, which is the theme of much of this conversation.
2. He's suffering.
3. He's desperately trying to keep the bike upright.
4. He's beyond casually deliberate in all of the above, but rather imbuing a greater sense of serenity.
@Marko
Also love that Moser is looking absolutely wrecked. Gap between sleeves and arm warmers on such a pro's pro is a strong indication of just how hard P-R 1987 was...
While a photo of an old folded magazine cover usually sucks, check out the amount of V Freddy is laying down here. Everything is 'right', right?
@frank
Turning ozone into oxygen: is that what makes Ritchey such a badass?
@Routier
Check out the V his tires are making in the mud. It's fuckin' badass, man, like shootin' a machine gun on peyote.