Winning salutes are brought up from time to time here on Velominati. Of all the images and memories we have of cycling’s greatest athletes, many are of champions crossing over the finishing line in their winning pose. A rider’s salute as he or she crosses the finishing line first is not of insignificance. This is how they celebrate a long deserved winning break, sprint, or climb. It represents the culmination of years of training and the realization of a lifelong goal.
The salute says more though than just “I win”. It can say a lot about the rider employing it. Take Pantani’s crucifix salute as an example:
What does this say about Il Pirata? Does the Jesus-pose portray his ego and a sense of himself as some sort of exalted cyclist? Maybe, but I doubt it. Perhaps it broadcasts the iconic imagery of his Roman-Catholic up-bringing and displays it in a way many of his Italian countrymen can identify with. Who knows? To me, this photograph is art in the sense that we take from it what we see in it as individuals. What this salute imparts to me is a sense of calm after the storm. It is a letting go of sorts, sublime catharsis, freedom. I see a figure that is truly in the moment and aware of nothing else, not even himself. It is beautiful and exemplifies the rewards of our sport. Rewards which can only be reaped through dedication and effort. It also illustrates Marco’s awareness, conscious of it at the time or not, of the elegance of cycling.
Contrast that to this:
What of this man of Manx and what he’s trying to put out there with this salute? A chamois was included with my bike shorts? Hey everyone, my sac’s down here too? Or, this is titled “Ballerina Pose On Bike”? I am the “Total Package” and will take all comers in the octogon? It may portay the effort and dedication but certainly comes nowhere near elegance. Hell if I know what is says, other than “Cavendouche”.
So what’s a good salute? It’s hard to say as there are no Rules governing the salute. So, I’ll submit the following:
A cool salute should:
-Convey the rider’s commitment to cycling, extended effort, and pleasure in winning.
-Convey a certain sense of spontaneity and not seem in any way contrived (unless you’re the Lion of Flanders and have just proven a…well, unless you’re the Lion of Flanders because then you’re just plain badass).
-Dispense with any sort of pantomime, weapon imagery (two links there), or baby toys.*
-Show some class and deference to the history and beauty of the sport.
Maybe it’s easiest to characterize a cool salute similar to how politicians describe pornography. It’s hard to define but you know it when you see it.
*In all fairness to myself and to avoid contradiction, I realize that the last link regarding baby toys speaks volumes about the rider employing the pacifier in it and that it is probably about as elegant as that rider can get.
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Thanks, Marko. Haven't considered rollers, for two reasons - first, paranoia at a lapse in attention resulting in me slipping off and flying forward into the TV (probably at the precise time that Beloki loses his tyre and sends Lance off for some impromptu 'cross, though that wouldn't really console me as I wouldn't have that option), and secondly the sheer geeky attraction of something like the Computrainer which has an erg function, a spin-scan function, virtual courses, ability to download and store data to measure (hoped for) progress, etc. But am prepared to acknowledge that the first of these seems pretty obviously to violate Rule 5, and the second at least arguably does the same. And rollers are not as expensive. So would be happy to be convinced that rollers are superior ...
@Geof
The good news is you can put worry #1 away, when you come off the rollers you just land in a heap next to them, the bike has no forward momentum. But all the other functions of Computrainer has to be a plus as riding the rollers gets a bit repetitive. If in doubt grow a dodgy mo.
@Marko Cyclingnews is stealing your thunder on this great and timely post. That is such bad form.
Being a Brit, we have to love Cav. He's winning stuff and he's british, that NEVER happens! Though I will agree that his attitude sucks. He needs to grow up and learn some Rule 5...
@Nathan Edwards
I think you will have years ahead of Cav lovin'. He is so fast I don't see him losing for a long while and I can see him transitioning into an all around racer eventually, like, er, ahemmm, Sean Kelly. But much Rule 5 will have to be studied to get there. Also, some of the top sprinters by nature seem to be outlandish and full of it, eeerg, cough, cough, Cipo! My boy.
@john, @Nathan Edwards
I have to disagree; the notable difference between Kelly and Cav is that Kelly was born breathing Rule 5; no need for studying there.
As for Cipo, I said my peace on that one in a comment before and won't bore you with it again. Major differences there, mate.
But the little twatwaffle can sprint, that's for sure. Amazing.
@frank
I'm with ya Frank. Kelly was born Hard but he started as a sprinter, and eventually kicked ass everywhere, as we all know. Jalabert and Thor are in that groupo except Thor is still a great sprinter and I hope he gets the green jersey again this year to teach you know who some more humility.
I agree with your Cipo comments completely. You will find no bigger fan of Cipo than I. I meant to say many dynamic sprinters are a little unhinged.
@Nathan Edwards
That's like saying being American we have to love Lance. I can't do it. I respect Lance for his platinum palmares but I don't love the guy. Don't really care for his style of racing (post ball-op). What I do like about guys like Lance and Cav is they raise the bar and perhaps make racing more competetive ultimately. In fact, it's easier to make this arguement with Cav because all he can do is sprint lickity-split. To compete, riders just need to go faster. It's a harder arguement with Lance (post nutectomy) because it's more complicated. At any rate, there is something about dudes like this that lack the essence of bike racing. Maybe it's emotion, maybe it's that they don't seem genuine, maybe it's that they take some of the suspense out. Like I said though, to me, a cool bike racer is hard to define in some ways but you know one when you see it.
@brett
Female Interviewer:
"Which of these beautiful gentlemen with the very taught bottoms is the lady killer, who gets the most chicks?"
Haussler:
"Pazzato"
One half hour later: Female interviewer seen exiting Fillipo's trailer.
@frank
Cadel's efforts to practice a more inspiring finish-line wave don't seem to be going that well - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/evans-looking-to-make-giro-ditalia-history/118615
I was going to pull the Eddy salute as I crossed the line in 33rd place in my first race of the season but I figured nobody would get it.