Categories: RacingReverenceThe HardmenTradition

Reverence: The Ghosts of 2am

Off the back is the worst place to be. Photo: Tim De Waele TDWsport.com

The Prophet had never been dropped by anyone in a race-threatening situation during his entire Grand-Tour career. But he was dropped on this, a relatively minor climb to Pra Loup due to a combination of circumstances involving a chest injury, overconfidence, and savvy Frenchmen who could read the road surface well enough to understand what side of the road to attack on.

He had never lost the Tour, but Merckx was dropped on the short but steep climb to Pra Loup and refused to quit the Tour in 1975 because you don’t quit the Tour de France. He would rather lose than quit. These are the sentiments of a champion who has not only known, but become intimately accustomed to, the sensation of victory: reverence for the race he once dominated and the one he can not quit.

He came second, and thereby legitimized Bernard Thevenet’s victory. Reverence.

For non-Velominati Americans, Cycling is the Tour. From Greg LeMond – the only American to win the Tour three times, to Lance Armstrong – the only American to lose the Tour seven times all at once, to Floyd Landis – whose legacy was too short to excite the American Public but long enough to take down the greatest legacy in Sports History.

Tejay Van Garderen was sitting solid in 3rd place when he fell ill and had to quit the Tour de France, something no rider does with a light heart. So long as your name isn’t Mario Cipollini. Dropped every time the ride pointed uphill, he had little choice but to climb off. I have had races ripped from my grasp when I was at my peak for reasons I couldn’t control and, to this day, they are there when the Ghosts of 2am come knocking. I can only imagine what Tejay is thinking tonight.

Nothing feels as good as winning, and nothing haunts you as deeply as quitting. To quote a legendary cheater, “Pain is temporary, quitting is forever.” Which just goes to prove that just because you’re an asshole doesn’t mean you’re wrong.

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.

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Matt says:

Jul 23 2015 at 2:33 pm

@unversio

@Chickenmcnasty

@Bespoke

Theodore Roosevelt. awesome fella that one.

He was also shot before he was meant to deliver a speech. What did he do? He gave the damn speech. All ninety minutes of it.
unversio says:

Jul 23 2015 at 3:12 pm

@Matt

"Fuck -- off!"
unversio says:

Jul 23 2015 at 3:18 pm

@Chickenmcnasty

@unversio

I’m quickly discovering that being at the end of yourself is the essence of cycling. It’s the worst thing in the world, but I’m strangely addicted to it.

Two years ago I began referring to it as my "unlimited maximum" -- inspired by Emerson. No end in nature -- no end in cycling.
unversio says:

Jul 23 2015 at 3:20 pm

turn

an unlimited maximum

will

there is no end

pedalando

verso una strada gloriosa

victory

one truth to find

- unversio
Beers says:

Jul 23 2015 at 5:34 pm

@Matt

@The Oracle

Nothing spoke more of TVG’s devastation at having to abandon than when he collapsed into the BMC staff’s arms when he stopped. At that moment, you could feel all the misery, the pain, and the disappointment. Of all the “human” moments of this years tour, I think those images will stick with me the longest.

Couldn’t have said it any better. I managed to tune in just as that was happening. I obviously wasn’t aware of the shape he was in previous to that, but as soon as I saw the BMC guys holding him I knew he was wrecked. I think that image will stay with me as well.

Was a moment for sure. For me, it is the OGE mechanic vid, with Matthews walking around (obviously concussed) groaning like a wounded dog. That shit was straight up harrowing. The other was Geschke bawling in his interview after the win. Love seeing how much it means..
Barracuda says:

Jul 23 2015 at 7:25 pm

" Do, or do not, there is no try ! "

From one of the greats !

I also have several limitations on a bike. But try not to give up.

Miss Vos's quote is a great one.
Oli says:

Jul 23 2015 at 7:38 pm

@frank

Bahahaha!
mouse says:

Jul 23 2015 at 9:05 pm

Interesting to note the tone of commentary re TVG as compared to Porte in the Giro.

Obviously youse Americans love your riders as much as we Australians love ours.

Porte was pretty much written off as a GT contender post his Giro crash and subsequent illness; in spite of the fact that he won every single fucking stage race he entered this spring (except Tour Down Under - second).

It's really sad for TJ to have to abandon in that position. My humanity acknowledges that. I'm just not sure that his assessment of his ability actually squares with the evidence. Keep up with Contador, Froome, Quintana on any given day? That's a long bow to draw.

It'll be interesting to see if Porte and TVG are on the same team next year.
Minnesota Expat says:

Jul 23 2015 at 10:09 pm

@Beers

The other was Geschke bawling in his interview after the win. Love seeing how much it means..

I watched Stage 17 again tonight (much to the chagrin of the VMH and VMHette). Smoking! Great racing. Best stage so far. Geschke's descent off the Col de' Allos with Talansky's chase was riveting.

The best part of Van Garderen dropping out is no longer hearing Liggett talk about "TeeJay". My god, it was endless. We spent 30 minutes yesterday watching Van Garderen pedaling squares with sweat dripping off his nose, but no coverage, no video, and not a word about Sagan and the break-away going over the top of, and descending, the Col de la Colle. Too bad, would have been a good show.
Minnesota Expat says:

Jul 23 2015 at 10:22 pm

@mouse

Obviously youse Americans love your riders as much as we Australians love ours. It’ll be interesting to see if Porte and TVG are on the same team next year.

Nope. I'm a Bardet guy (also now known as "Salad" in our house). That kid has enormous potential, he can obviously climb, a nice steady rhythm, but most of all he descends as well as anyone in the peleton, even riders ten years senior. He should be a groomed as a GT contender by a team that can put him on the top of a GT podium.

Anyone else notice Froome is doing a good job on the descents, keeping up with Nibali?