As we grow older, humility takes it’s chilling hold. The little nagging questions like, “Will this next activity kill me?” start to weigh heavier on our minds. It’s not that these questions weren’t asked when we gripped our youth like a toddler grips his penis; it’s just that they didn’t mean as much to us then as they do now.
You see, when you’re young and that particular question is asked, it is spoken in a wimpy voice which sounds a lot like it’s being a Pussy. As we get older, the Smart Ones realize that annoying sound is actually the “Voice of Reason” and that perhaps we should not ask our buddy to “hold our beer” while we attempt the as-yet-unaccomplished feat of jumping our BMX from the top of the interchange to that tiny little ledge an impossible distance away.
Such is the progression from Sprinteur to Rouleur. The devaluation of risk versus reward; of the pleasure of winning versus the pleasure of winning at all costs. We’ve seen it before; Sean Kelly wins Green at the Tour more times than I can count and then turns to winning the Classics instead. Eddy Planckaert starts as a sprinter, eases into winning Flanders, then wins Green, and turns to winning Roubaix. Johan Museeuw wins Green and becomes the Lion of Flanders, never to ride the Tour again. George Hincapie made the same transition, albeit without any of the aforementioned results. I feel strongly that after a season of near-misses in the classics and taking a beating in the gallops, Tom Boonen is about to follow suit.
It’s a natural move from Sprinteur to Rouleur, but often it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the transition happens; Kelly, Planckaert, and Museeuw made the change gradually. I don’t know who the guy is pictured here in front of Jalabert – he appears to be either Dutch or Luxembourgian, based on the cuffs of his sleeve. Whoever he is, he looks completely fucked – not to mention that we never heard from him again after such a nasty crash. I can make an educated guess that, based on the apish look on his face, he’s probably Dutch. (I’m Dutch, so that’s not racist. If you lash back in kind, I’ll sic the Anit-Dutch Police on you. They are mean, and will get the Swiss to write you an angry letter, so don’t tell me you weren’t warned.)
Between the two subjects in the photo, the Dutchemburg guy looks by far the better off. The crash was caused by a Policeman wanting to photograph the finish of the 1994 Tour Stage to Armentieres, and who in his idiotic Darwinism stepped into the path of the charging bunch. Jalabert required extensive facial surgery in order to stop looking like a stand-in for a horror movie, but nevertheless returned to win the Dotty Jumper a couple times in the Tour – distinguishing himself as the only rider besides Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault to win both the Spotted Dick and the Green Willie.
For that, I thank the ape-man in the sweet Cinelli hairnet for offering us the Defining Moment in Jalabert’s career when he became an all-rounder who won our hearts.
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Renshaw, loyal lieutenant, yes. Slightly psychotic yes. Bastard, not really, remembering some of the antics of lead out men in the 90s (hooking, punching) he is a junior hoodlum at best. Good rider for Cav although track sprinters are a little otherworldy.
That said Julian Dean, not exactly a wilting flower.
Anyway for those looking for a pattern, here's Micky Rogers easing through some spectators as he tries to Climb Well for his Weight.
Hmm, not uploading correctly, weblink here
3.bp.blogspot.com/.../s400/punch+to+the+neck.jpg
Yes you are right. Reds under the bed/massage table.
Still he knew how to headbutt the tarmac that boy and his Guns were quite remarkable (not getting all Faboo about him). However a flagrant disregard for Rule 59 meant he was un punchable, perhaps a lesson Mr Dean might want to consider when next he want to give Marky R a kiss in the last 100m.
So in conclusion, Renshaw a level 5 git only. I think we all learnt something here today.
@frank
Franky boy, you can't say you want to get all buddy buddy with Australians like Stuey O'G after dissing the whole country (not just Reckshaw).
yes, it was an ordinary act from him, but sheesh, imagine the shit that he cops every leadout from people trying to bust up the HTC train? And it was only a Kiwi he was putting in trouble. Who gives a fuck about them?
@Marcus Hobbits. Hobbits care about us. They just don't cycle very well...
@Geof
+1. But I thought hobbits (think a slightly chubbier version of pantani) climbed very well for their weight?
Hobbits are made of tougher stuff than it would appear, they certainly like their food and smokes, but when it comes down to it, they can dish out The V as well or better than anyone else. Joaquin Rodriguez may have some hobbit in him and I don't mean that in a dirty way.
Renshaw's headbutting was a pretty standard track manouvre to gain some room, the hysterical squealing afterwards from his detractors was all handbags. Funny, because the bitch fight earlier in the Tour between Rui de Costa and his girlfriend looked a lot worse (for the sport and every bloke basically) got nothing.
Hendo is all right, for a Kiwi. Took it with good grace and didn't sledge Renshaw afterwards, which is not what his Kiwi bitchsquealing compatriots (especially in cricket) always do.
Renshaw is no big bloke, so he does well to pilot Cavendouche like he does. In fact, Renshaw is good enough to win plenty of those sprints (remember his second place on the Champs at the 2009 Tour?) but never whinges about carrying that little Manxgina.
Add Renshaw to the list of Aussie hardmen like Adam Hansen - remember his stage when he drove the front of the bunch for HTC for a lazy hour or so after a crash, then retired that night with a broken collarbone (after Renshaw rode him back from the crash then himself placed 2nd that stage after Cav crashed).
Level 5 git is way too harsh, give me a psyhco sprinter like him anyday. Incidentally, I saw him at the Worlds last month standing amongst us mug punters on that last climb and the boy had a Velomihottie on his arm of the highest order. Quality.
@Steampunk
Reckon Thor did well not to headbutt a pedantic security guy at the start of the Worlds race though. Remember this?
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/10/it-was-almost-not-to-be/
@SupermanSam
+1
Thats right Frank. another one is on board