175 Replies to “Anatomy of a Photo: Thor Personifies The V”
I’m a big fan of the Bull from Grimstad, but I’m going to miss that big Norwegian flag next year. Watching the World Champion compete in the Spring Classics with a super-team around him in 2011 is going to be an awful lot of fun…
I watched the whole race, start to finish.
Big congratulations to Thor, he really kicked ass.
However, kudos to Good Cadelephant for working hard to defend his title, and chasing down gaps like a rabid dog.
Kinda sad that Fabulous Enchilada couldn’t hack it this year, though I had a feeling that the hills wouldn’t work out well for him. They were just a little too long and steep for him to power over.
Totally missed the VSP, which is gutting… But what a race, what a worlds… If only it was at the right time of year rather than in the backwater of fucken October. Frank, your article opening up the vsp was hilarious.. Good work. And a fab worlds for this little island… Pooley, Miller… Hell, even Cooke had a helluva ride. Chapeau to Thor for the road race, and to Spartacus for TT
@Omar – good shout on Cadel respecting the hoops, was nice to see
What a monster – and what a deserving winner. Seems like everyone is praising him. Potato and Nibbles were both full of praise. Nibbles:
The fact that a fast-finishing rouleur won shows that the race was hard.
This also pretty much confirms his transformation away from sprinting. What a stud.
We watched it from start to finish as well; loved the way the racing played out. Loads of respect to Gilbert for the way he rode; taking the race by the scruff and going for it, and same to the chasers – especially Good Cadelephant – racing for the finish with no passengers. That’s bike racing. Awesome!
By the way, there is no mention of the race in the NYTimes. None.
More than ‘personifying the V’, I see this result as showing that Thor is an intelligent racer who plays to his considerable strengths.
He knew that there was a good chance it would come down to a sprint, (confirmed by the outcome of the women’s race). And, he knows that after a demanding 260km with an uphill finish, if he’s in the bunch, he’s got a better than 50/50 chance of outsprinting the others in the group.
So, not for him heroic but ultimately doomed efforts (of the likes of Gilbert or Cadelephant). Instead he works hard to ensure he is in the final group. Then he shelters in the group, working no harder than he has to, allowing others to chase down the breakaways, hoping and trusting in his instinct that it will come down to a sprint. Which it does of course.
Personifying the V? Yes, but others did as much or more in that respect.
After my first attack, when a group came across to ours, I saw from their faces that Thor Hushovd and Oscar Freire were very fresh, that’s why I decided to attack again. I didn’t feel myself fast enough to beat a sprinter like Hushovd. I put it in the big ring, it allowed me to re-start strongly at the top of the hill
@ken
Don’t forget the teammate aspect, too: after the peloton split, Thor was in the second group, but didn’t feel compelled to pull to regain contact, since EBH was in the first group. That leaves him smart, fresh, and loyal.
@frank
Love it! There’ve been some terrific, heroic efforts this year and some real warriors have separated themselves from the pack in my books.
Frank, the picture of him on the podium had even more “v”. True Viking pose
Now owner of the best-looking jersey in the peloton:
@Steampunk
The more I think about it the more feel like that was just the greatest race; that’s the kind of racing I love, attacking and taking chances. No robots there. Awesome.
Oh, and hellyeahs a Viking can wear rainbows. He’ll make them his bitch!
Good on Garmin for picking up the World Champ! And I think it’s the first time Cervelo won the road race. Nice all around!
@Steampunk
Good point about the teamwork – great tactics by the Vikings.
@Frank
There goes my chance of picking up a discounted Cervelo R3 SL this winter … damn!
@frank
no there is another one somewhere. Arms flexed, mouth open, looks like he’s roaring. Like I said, proper Viking pose
What a race! Was on the edge of my seat the whole time and the finish didnt disappoint. Cadelephant was fantastic and I nearly thought he could take it out once again until the peleton flew into view like a bolt from the blue and out of nowhere it was on again for the sprinters!
Exciting racing at it’s best – surely a sign the ban in race radios is indeed great for the sport!
@frank@Jarvis
Not a bad emotional shot, though, that one of him on the podium. My all-time favorite of him still has to be Het Nieuwsblad 2009:
Now there’s a hammer at the end of the rainbow instead of a pot o’ gold. That was really exciting racing – attack, respond, attack, respond. The pace was incredible – pure racing. No lolligagging around. Ride your ass off until the end or you get shelled out the back.
I also liked Thor’s post-race interview. He has one target for 2011: Paris-Roubaix. Nice!
I was standing at the top of the last climb. The pace picked up dramatically on the last few laps. Cadel was impressive chasing the attack by the Belgians on the hill on the second last lap. So much V on display was awe inspiring.
I spent all day running backwards and forwards from the barriers to the beer tent/TV about 30 metres from the top of the first climb on the day – not sure how it looked on TV but that is a steep final pitch – about 19% – lots of Rule #5 on display and nice to see the lanterne rouge getting a huge cheer each time he went over the hill – some were wobbling around ‘delivering the mail’ towards the end. Pro racing at its finest and incredible to be there in person watching the race unfold (with beer in hand) along with thousands of others.
Perhaps I was imagining it, perhaps I wanted it to be more Viking (V) than it was, but I’ve found this one
All Hail ‘King Thor’ !
I can’t wait for Paris-Roubaix.
a worthy winner of the world stripes!!
I was so glad to see it!
Now I have to wait a stinking 4+ months for the spring classics to roll around:-(
@Souleur
Aw, c’mon now…We still have Lombardi! That’s still a great race…But I am with you, already looking towards the long dark months with a heavy heart and anxious for the start of the next season!
I thoroughly enjoy the Tour of Lombardy, a great finish to the classics, but then I too look with a misty eye to the “spring” classics. However then I remember it’s spring here now and climb on my bike. :-D
I had recently commented to my Norwegian wife that I should buy the Norwegian national jersey to go with my R3. I guess this seals the deal!
@Geoffrey Grosenbach
Let me know where you can find one. Not one of those cheesy ebay ones. I’ve been looking for a while. I’d like one just like the one pictured.
@Geoffrey Grosenbach
Ya, I found those, they’re nice but being of Norwegian descent I’m hoping to find the Norway National Team one that Thor was wearing the other day. The one that says NORGE across the front. I’d also look foolish riding a BMC with Cervelo on the front and Frank would never let me hear the end of it.
@Geoffrey Grosenbach, @Marko
Sorry, the Cervelo Nat Jersey is in Violation of Rule #16. National team jerseys are a gray area, but I think you can get a pass there, on account of National Pride.
now frank, that all depends which school of thought you belong to, Cognoscentia or the Holists camp.
@Souleur
So what is your suggestion? Ride in a home-made jersey made of steel-wool?
@Souleur an unbranded national *team* jersey is not a “Championship and race leader jerseys” but they are usually so plain and ugly they should be avoided. This one is cool though. So is the Suisse one.
@ frank: well, funny you ask. i always have a story for everything, & i did have a neighbor lady who did have shetlands and did naturally dye the wool and spin it in her loom that was handed down to her from her lineage, upon my request she probably would have made a light blue jersey w/belgian strips.
I toss this concept out there for us all to enjoy, i personally like the belgian strips in the winter months respite, I prefer black and white bibs/jersey kits in the summer months…preferably w/support yourself tastefully donned on one side.
@micheal: I agree. Most are not something we would call ‘bling’ now adays. The US national jersey is hideous, sorry, it just is. I do like the Fin-land cross however.
@frank
Why would I want a jersey that says Cervelo on it? National team jerseys are fair game.
@Steampunk
True enough but I can explain that away by saying it represents the team, not so much the bikes. Thin, I know, but I really want that jersey.
@Marko
Well, this has been my issue, too. I really like the team, but how does it work if you don’t have the bike. Of course, I think a big part of what makes the Norge jersey work is the big chest and shoulders inside it. Some of the overhead shots of the finish on Sunday””especially in slow motion””he looked twice the size of Matti Breschel, Pozzatto, and others. The man’s a hulk.
Bad news on the Cervelo “e”s on the boobs of the Norge jersey; it says Cervelo down the side as well. Although, it’s very possible that is not on the standard jersey and that those were all custom made for each rider.
@Marko
I dunno Marko, i’m all for supporting one’s home nation, but I think wearing a national jersey should be reserved for those who are capable of serving up enough Rule #5 to actually represent their country.
I recently saw a huge sausage-shaped man wearing a Norwegian cycling jersey and it wasn’t anywhere near as cool.
I think one really needs the whole package: two days of light brown beard, muscular biceps (but not too muscular), torso shaped like a V, bibshorts that look like diapers.
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I’m a big fan of the Bull from Grimstad, but I’m going to miss that big Norwegian flag next year. Watching the World Champion compete in the Spring Classics with a super-team around him in 2011 is going to be an awful lot of fun…
I watched the whole race, start to finish.
Big congratulations to Thor, he really kicked ass.
However, kudos to Good Cadelephant for working hard to defend his title, and chasing down gaps like a rabid dog.
Kinda sad that Fabulous Enchilada couldn’t hack it this year, though I had a feeling that the hills wouldn’t work out well for him. They were just a little too long and steep for him to power over.
Totally missed the VSP, which is gutting… But what a race, what a worlds… If only it was at the right time of year rather than in the backwater of fucken October. Frank, your article opening up the vsp was hilarious.. Good work. And a fab worlds for this little island… Pooley, Miller… Hell, even Cooke had a helluva ride. Chapeau to Thor for the road race, and to Spartacus for TT
@Omar – good shout on Cadel respecting the hoops, was nice to see
What a monster – and what a deserving winner. Seems like everyone is praising him. Potato and Nibbles were both full of praise. Nibbles:
This also pretty much confirms his transformation away from sprinting. What a stud.
We watched it from start to finish as well; loved the way the racing played out. Loads of respect to Gilbert for the way he rode; taking the race by the scruff and going for it, and same to the chasers – especially Good Cadelephant – racing for the finish with no passengers. That’s bike racing. Awesome!
By the way, there is no mention of the race in the NYTimes. None.
More than ‘personifying the V’, I see this result as showing that Thor is an intelligent racer who plays to his considerable strengths.
He knew that there was a good chance it would come down to a sprint, (confirmed by the outcome of the women’s race). And, he knows that after a demanding 260km with an uphill finish, if he’s in the bunch, he’s got a better than 50/50 chance of outsprinting the others in the group.
So, not for him heroic but ultimately doomed efforts (of the likes of Gilbert or Cadelephant). Instead he works hard to ensure he is in the final group. Then he shelters in the group, working no harder than he has to, allowing others to chase down the breakaways, hoping and trusting in his instinct that it will come down to a sprint. Which it does of course.
Personifying the V? Yes, but others did as much or more in that respect.
Intelligent racing? Definitely.
Gilbert on Rule #5:
@ken
Don’t forget the teammate aspect, too: after the peloton split, Thor was in the second group, but didn’t feel compelled to pull to regain contact, since EBH was in the first group. That leaves him smart, fresh, and loyal.
@frank
Love it! There’ve been some terrific, heroic efforts this year and some real warriors have separated themselves from the pack in my books.
Frank, the picture of him on the podium had even more “v”. True Viking pose
Now owner of the best-looking jersey in the peloton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EoD2wbZ4wE
@Jarvis
Should Vikings really wear rainbows, though?
@Jarvis
Which one? This one?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-road-world-championships-cm/elite-men-road-race/photos/143992
@Steampunk
The more I think about it the more feel like that was just the greatest race; that’s the kind of racing I love, attacking and taking chances. No robots there. Awesome.
Oh, and hellyeahs a Viking can wear rainbows. He’ll make them his bitch!
Good on Garmin for picking up the World Champ! And I think it’s the first time Cervelo won the road race. Nice all around!
@Steampunk
Good point about the teamwork – great tactics by the Vikings.
@Frank
There goes my chance of picking up a discounted Cervelo R3 SL this winter … damn!
@frank
no there is another one somewhere. Arms flexed, mouth open, looks like he’s roaring. Like I said, proper Viking pose
What a race! Was on the edge of my seat the whole time and the finish didnt disappoint. Cadelephant was fantastic and I nearly thought he could take it out once again until the peleton flew into view like a bolt from the blue and out of nowhere it was on again for the sprinters!
Exciting racing at it’s best – surely a sign the ban in race radios is indeed great for the sport!
@frank @Jarvis
Not a bad emotional shot, though, that one of him on the podium. My all-time favorite of him still has to be Het Nieuwsblad 2009:
Now there’s a hammer at the end of the rainbow instead of a pot o’ gold. That was really exciting racing – attack, respond, attack, respond. The pace was incredible – pure racing. No lolligagging around. Ride your ass off until the end or you get shelled out the back.
I also liked Thor’s post-race interview. He has one target for 2011: Paris-Roubaix. Nice!
I was standing at the top of the last climb. The pace picked up dramatically on the last few laps. Cadel was impressive chasing the attack by the Belgians on the hill on the second last lap. So much V on display was awe inspiring.
I spent all day running backwards and forwards from the barriers to the beer tent/TV about 30 metres from the top of the first climb on the day – not sure how it looked on TV but that is a steep final pitch – about 19% – lots of Rule #5 on display and nice to see the lanterne rouge getting a huge cheer each time he went over the hill – some were wobbling around ‘delivering the mail’ towards the end. Pro racing at its finest and incredible to be there in person watching the race unfold (with beer in hand) along with thousands of others.
Perhaps I was imagining it, perhaps I wanted it to be more Viking (V) than it was, but I’ve found this one
All Hail ‘King Thor’ !
I can’t wait for Paris-Roubaix.
a worthy winner of the world stripes!!
I was so glad to see it!
Now I have to wait a stinking 4+ months for the spring classics to roll around:-(
@Souleur
Aw, c’mon now…We still have Lombardi! That’s still a great race…But I am with you, already looking towards the long dark months with a heavy heart and anxious for the start of the next season!
I thoroughly enjoy the Tour of Lombardy, a great finish to the classics, but then I too look with a misty eye to the “spring” classics. However then I remember it’s spring here now and climb on my bike. :-D
I had recently commented to my Norwegian wife that I should buy the Norwegian national jersey to go with my R3. I guess this seals the deal!
@Geoffrey Grosenbach
Let me know where you can find one. Not one of those cheesy ebay ones. I’ve been looking for a while. I’d like one just like the one pictured.
@Marko Cervélo ones seem to be readily available, but I can’t find the World Championships one yet.
Cervélo Norwegian Jersey
@Geoffrey Grosenbach
Ya, I found those, they’re nice but being of Norwegian descent I’m hoping to find the Norway National Team one that Thor was wearing the other day. The one that says NORGE across the front. I’d also look foolish riding a BMC with Cervelo on the front and Frank would never let me hear the end of it.
@Geoffrey Grosenbach, @Marko
Sorry, the Cervelo Nat Jersey is in Violation of Rule #16. National team jerseys are a gray area, but I think you can get a pass there, on account of National Pride.
now frank, that all depends which school of thought you belong to, Cognoscentia or the Holists camp.
Rule #16
Rule #5
@Souleur
So what is your suggestion? Ride in a home-made jersey made of steel-wool?
@Souleur an unbranded national *team* jersey is not a “Championship and race leader jerseys” but they are usually so plain and ugly they should be avoided. This one is cool though. So is the Suisse one.
@ frank: well, funny you ask. i always have a story for everything, & i did have a neighbor lady who did have shetlands and did naturally dye the wool and spin it in her loom that was handed down to her from her lineage, upon my request she probably would have made a light blue jersey w/belgian strips.
I toss this concept out there for us all to enjoy, i personally like the belgian strips in the winter months respite, I prefer black and white bibs/jersey kits in the summer months…preferably w/support yourself tastefully donned on one side.
@micheal: I agree. Most are not something we would call ‘bling’ now adays. The US national jersey is hideous, sorry, it just is. I do like the Fin-land cross however.
@frank
Why would I want a jersey that says Cervelo on it? National team jerseys are fair game.
@Marko
You still also have the é’s to worry about, though, even on the Norge jersey. Also, does the national jersey come with the salt stains already embedded? There’s some pretty hefty Rule #5 there, too!
@Steampunk
True enough but I can explain that away by saying it represents the team, not so much the bikes. Thin, I know, but I really want that jersey.
@Marko
Well, this has been my issue, too. I really like the team, but how does it work if you don’t have the bike. Of course, I think a big part of what makes the Norge jersey work is the big chest and shoulders inside it. Some of the overhead shots of the finish on Sunday””especially in slow motion””he looked twice the size of Matti Breschel, Pozzatto, and others. The man’s a hulk.
How about The Chicken doing the chicken on the European version of Dancing with the Stars? (9th video down)
@Marko, @Steampunk
Bad news on the Cervelo “e”s on the boobs of the Norge jersey; it says Cervelo down the side as well. Although, it’s very possible that is not on the standard jersey and that those were all custom made for each rider.
@Marko
I dunno Marko, i’m all for supporting one’s home nation, but I think wearing a national jersey should be reserved for those who are capable of serving up enough Rule #5 to actually represent their country.
I recently saw a huge sausage-shaped man wearing a Norwegian cycling jersey and it wasn’t anywhere near as cool.
I think one really needs the whole package: two days of light brown beard, muscular biceps (but not too muscular), torso shaped like a V, bibshorts that look like diapers.
Another sign Thor is a classy and deserving champion: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/5924/Thor-Hushovd-delays-collarbone-plate-removal-operation-Cervelo-TestTeam-to-debut-rainbow-stripes.aspx
@Collin
That’s awesome. Class act indeed.
@Collin
Cool. And let me add “Garmin-Cervelo” really has a nice ring to it.
@Collin
Reports like this make it easy to like Thor. I’m having trouble thinking of too many pro riders I’d prefer to go on a ride with…
Thor races for the first time in the stripes today. Needless to say he’s pulled of the look perfectly.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/gran-piemonte-welcomes-thor-hushovd-as-new-world-champion/145235
First Class
@Marko
Stud City. Population: Thor.
i was standing on that final corner waiting for him to pass. he kicked and didnt slow down!
Rule compliant in preparation for Tour of Oman:
I’m loving the black shorts.