Unforgettable Rides: 1986 l’Alpe d’Huez
We tend to look at cycling through rose-tinted glasses; cycling-specific ones that not only give us a cheery outlook on the past, but ones that conveniently hold big black bars over the bits we prefer not to remember as they were because they don’t fit into the picture we’ve formed in our minds. One of the most interesting things about a community like Velominati is all the different viewpoints that come together regarding events past that help remind us of something approaching reality, built from an aggregation international of views. Perhaps even more interesting is how this experience also brings into sharp relief the evolution of the “facts” as we each have seen them at different points in our lives.
A prime example is of the discussion earlier this week regarding the Lenault battle in 1986. The American view predominantly held was that LeMond was short-changed by Hinault, while the Europeans (or at least the French) could see no reason Hinault should acquiesce the Tour should he be in a position to win it. Certainly not from an American. The Aussies, of course, feel Phil Anderson or, barring that, Phil Ligget or someone else named Phil – regardless of nationality – should have won it, and the Kiwis are no doubt still busy looking for a Tour contender who doesn’t ride a bike. At the time, I hated Hinault and characterized him as a cheating douchenozzle; these days, I regard him as one of the greatest examples of a complete rider and a model of what riders today should aspire to be.
The truth is, of course, somewhere in the middle and after we boil the ocean of the ’86 Tour, we’re left with two great riders on one team who were so closely matched they each could have won that year. But the promises made the year before and the reality of the race situation on the road were like water and oil, and by the time the race reached l’Alpe d’Huez, the team, the fans, and the countries had polarized towards one end or the other, each choosing the side that matched most closely the version of the facts that helped them feel more at ease with their loyalties.
As controversies have a tendency to, they overshadow one of the most unique rides to the top of l’Alpe d’Huez in the history of the great climb. In my memory, Hinault attacked on the descent from either the Col de la Croix de Fer or the Glandon. (Maybe he attacked at the base, as WikiPedia suggests, but I don’t remember it that way.) Only LeMond had an answer, and the teammates escaped together to ride the mythical 21 hairpins together. I can’t think of another time when two G.C. riders – let alone two teammates – outclassed everyone else in the race up this climb.
Up and up they rode together – the Badger in his distinct style and LeMan in his – with only their pain, their massive gears, their rocking shoulders, and their resentment for each other as company. Hand-in-hand they crossed the finish line as happy team mates, LeMond gifting the stage to his patron in the end. But beneath the surface boiled a fearsome rivalry and within minutes Hinault and LeMond’s dashing alter-ego, LeMelvis, traded blows in the press. And with that, the great ride was almost immediately eclipsed by polemics.
In the end, LeMond overcame a tampered-with TT bike to win the Tour and Hinault retired as arguably the most successful Tour de France rider at the time. The record is set but the facts become more malleable with time. The rest we see with our rose-tinted glasses.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oIkVNykuuE[/youtube]
Doesn’t Frank have a story like that?
@minion
Oh yeah! Fronk’s funniest and best work. Time for a redux Frank for anyone not familiar. Just laughed thinking about it.
@All
Strong work. Keep it up. Too tired after crit practice tonite to be of any use.
@frank
Your memory is correct. At 2:35 of the video, the announcer says that Hinault attacked on the descent from the Col de la Croix de Fer.
Again, off topic, but I want to know what Le Cannibale is rubbing up his nose and tossing on his chest before he goes 49.4K in Mexico. I want a 55 gallon drum of it to bathe in (I’m sure it’s squid testicles or something). Don’t need aero bars when you go like that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqjEvDlFqdM
@scaler911
Close… it was Gianni Bugno, I don’t think it was Sestrierres though.
@scaler911
I remember my man Gianni Bugno did it to some drunk fuck on Alp d’Huez back in the day. I can’t say as I remember Claudio pulling that move too.
Regarding Lord Merckx and his magic tinctures…pot Belge, cat adrenal gland, wolf nipple chips, or some airway opening peppermint oil, take your pick.
This is fantastic stuff guys, you clearly are the Oracle of cycle racing – as I only vaguely remember Stephen Roche and Big Mig during transient dips in and out over the years, this is giving a great historical perspective on this awesome sport, and just makes me hungrier than ever for more
Do you think the Schleck-Contador duel of TdF 2010 will come to be held in the regard as the 86 duel, as this was the tour that made me want to get on a road bike and out of the field? Or was it the personal history of these guys that made it so mentalist?
The crazy stage 2, the “look” in the mist on Col de Tourmalet all set my heart racing and I knew what I wanted to do next – for now I sit back and feast on the goodies you guys are serving up – love it!
@Dr C
I think history will regard TdF 2010 as the entreé to TdF 2011 which promises to be a main course of unadulterated cycling gluttony. Everyone will take an interest in seeing Bertie suffer. Cav will win a couple, Gadret will test positive, someone will punch a fan, Faboo will try to facilitate order but the angry stomach is too turgid. Andy has been saving his cookies and will get the munchies in the third week (just after Cadel cracks)…Bertie will be left crying for his Mummy. God I hope so…
So,
@Gianni
So long, as it happens in 1986, I was 13 y old and mys idols at the time were most likely named Tony Hawk, Natas Kaupas or Christian Hosoi…they sure were very good riders, but none of them has ever wear a bib i am afraid…also, i really don’t have the intimate knowing of cycling history as does Frank , i just can’t be helpful there mates!!!! Le Maître a la Parole!!! … but yeah , i feel some intimate relation with these local roads and landscapes. for sure! )
HOT NEWS : Contador has just been arrested by the French Police at The Galibier !!!! No kidding !!
FYI : I think he was in the Galibier tunnel because he should have been in recon of one of the TWO climbs of the Galibier programmed for this 2011 TDF who will go through the Tunnel, as it was the case, for cyclists before the late Seventies… Does Bertie starts the Tour with a bad omen….???
@Alpin
same News in english
@scaler911
Thanks!
oops,
getting used to which ‘button’ to push to reply.
Thanks Brett and Gianni!
HOT NEWS : Contador has just been arrested by the French Police at The Galibier !!!! No kidding !!
FYI : I think he was in the Galibier tunnel because he should have been in recon of one of the TWO climbs of the Galibier programmed for this 2011 TDF who will go through the Tunnel, as it was the case, for cyclists before the late Seventies… Does Bertie starts the Tour with a bad omen….???
Priceless – that sets the tone nicely!
….probably did well to get out of the tunnel in one piece…
@Buck Rogers
Word.
@Marcus
Awesome story, awesome pick. I love Uncle Phil. Just seems like a class act. Super innovative, leading the way with STI, which is probably one of the most important modern innovations in cycling tech. Very cool that he still rides with all you assholes along the beach. One day, I’ll join you on that ride.
You ever yank his ponytail when you ride by?
@D-Man
24 carat gold.
@scaler911, @Brett, @Gianni
I’ll get my Oli on here, and point out that while Cambell’s Cup-O-Cheeno won on Sestrierres, this was indeed Bugno who popped the fan with his front wheel a few turns from the top of le Galibier. Fignon was nearby as well, on a rare return to form, but Bugno’s fall disrupted his rhythm and he fell back.
Wow, stopping a pro cyclist for not having lights on his bike…I’m thinking they just wanted to fuck him around a bit?
I had a cop tell me my lights weren’t bright enough once. Thankfully I wasn’t arrested, mainly because I think he was too lazy to bother.
Bertie to coppers:
“Lo siento, señor policÃa, el Velominati dijo que no puedo tener luces montado en mi bicicleta de carreras, es contra Las Reglas.”
@frank
Again thanks,
While I got my pro’s wrong, at least I wasn’t remembering something that didn’t happen.
@Ron
Les flic to Bertie “Est-il vrai, cependant, que vous roulez dans la voiture en haut de l’équipe en contravention directe de l’article 55? Pour que vous partager une cellule avec Big Hervé ce soir.”
@Alpin
At work the other day I was hel
Helping with a workers comp case the involved 5 guys with French names. I came to the conclusion that you guys have cool names.
hey frank, obviously this topic is controversial, but no-one said anything about Hinault’s patchwork jersey; looks like it was made by his granny from her old bloomers. I suggest you put that encyclopaedic knowledge of yours to good use and explain the Combined jersey; why it looked so awful, definitely not a pro look; and why it died. Go on I dare you; I double dare you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ReIcst45o
@minion
Totally unexpected, but great!
@Ron
That would be awesome if it was true! Either way he would be right and should tell the man to lay off.
@Ron
That would be awesome if it was true! Either way he would be right and should tell the man to lay off.
@minion
That I believe is the La vie en Claire team kit.
I’ve just had a look at the video, and read the comments that follow on YouTube. There’s a lot of knobs out there with something to say, yes?
I would like to say that I appreciate the quality of thought, humour and mutual respect that’s displayed here.
Thinking back to those tours with Lemond and Hinault, I recall feeling that Lemond seemed to have a sense if entitlement. There is no doubt that he was a talented rider, but the thought that you can trade off TdF victories doesn’t sit right with me.
Anyway, thanks all again for keeping me from doing what I need to. Great reading!
@Ron
Frank to Bertie: “Endurecer de una puta vez.”
@mouse
This – “but the thought that you can trade off TdF victories doesn’t sit right with me” – is exactly what bugs me about the dispute. I know that there is (and must be) an element of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” in cycling. But I still don’t think it reflects well on either of them when the back scratching extends to trading TdF victories.
@frank
Sadly Phil no longer sports what was one of the best/worst ponytails in sporting history
Come during our summer – then you can ride with all the pros during their offy – especially Gerro and you can tell him what you really think of him. By the by, would be useful if Gerro starts getting a result or two soon…
@G’phant
Instead of trading victories (or, more accurately, Lemond agreeing to work for Hinault and then vice versa) what was the alternative? Teammates racing against one another? This “trading” you speak of happens EVERY time one teammate agrees to ride for another teammate in a particular race with the expectation that roles will be reversed on another day. To my mind, that is the essence of pro teams and pro cycling…
Truly, one of the greatest TDF wins. Lemond had to ride against his teammate and the majority of his French Team. Well before stage #18,Briançon to Alpe d’Huez, on the first mountain stage #12 Bayonne to Pau, Hinault went away and had close to a 10 minute lead on the road at one time (finished 5 minutes up on the day). Lemond must have thought his chance to win was over. The next day on another mountain stage, Hinault again goes 5 minutes up the road on stage #13 Pau to Superbagnères. On the final climb Hinault blows and the peleton consumes him and Lemond is set free and almost brings back all of Hinault”s lead. I can’t imagine what mental hell Lemond went through on those two stages. That had to be the quietest Team dinner table those two nights, in TDF history.
@Marcus
Yes, I hear all that. But wouldn’t the better (albeit perhaps less easy to achieve) outcome be either (i) let the road decide (and then the weaker supports the stronger), or (ii) follow team orders?
@minion
Excellent post. Fabulous version.
@Buck Rogers
I was looking for the official Nancy Sinatra version, which is the radness, but couldn’t find it pre morning coffee. I’d also like to point out the, erm, toungue in cheek nature of putting the song next to Oli’s quote, not wanting anyone to think I was ah, serenading anybody. That WOULD be awkward.
@zalamanda
Dude. La Vie Claire. Google it. We need a Keeper to assign a penalty here, I’m afraid.
@zalamanda
The La Vie Claire jersey colors (red, yellow, blue and gray) were based on the artwork of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian (1872 – 1944). He was famous for his artwork consisting of white backgrounds with painted grids of vertical and horizontal black lines and the three primary colors.
La Vie Claire, a chain of health food shops, was one of many businesses owned at the time by team owner Bernard Tapie. In creating the La Vie Claire jersey team it was a marketing success for the shops as its distinctive design stood out in the peloton.
A similar concept to that of Castorama, the French home improvement chain that Laurant Fignon and Cyrille Guimard signed as sponsor of their team in 1990 after Systeme U finished the previous year. The jersey was designed as a set of workmans overalls. The idea coming from Fignon himself and again considered a marketing success by Castorama at the time.
@Marcus
What a legend Phil is… bad ponytail, bad glasses, bad helmet, badass.
@Brett
just to clarify, in the above photo, I believe not only is it a ponytail, it is a fucking plaited ponytail!
Oh so wrong but oh so right.
Guess the plait musta had something to do with trying to protect his silky locks from the belgian toothpaste…
@Brett
What do you mean “bad glasses”??
And what zalamanda is referring to is not the Mondrian jersey but the Tour de France “Combine” jersey, a short-lived prize that was supposed to signify the best overall rider within all the classifications (GC, mountains and points). The jersey was scrapped after ’89 as part of Jean-Marie LeBlanc’s rationalisation of the baffling array of competitions within the Tour.
BZZZT! Wrong! Penalty for you, Sarge!
@sgt
How embarrassing.
Will accept 50 lashes, or a full day of being half wheeled.
My Merckx that is the most heinous thing I have ever heard. It’s the aural equivalent of sommeone turning up to a charity ride in full world champion replica kit with matching gloves, shoes, painted frame and wheels.
What posseses a douche-nozzle like Thom Yorke to think “Yeah I can really improve on that.” Only a remake of Sunday in Hell starring Simon Pegg with a soundtrack by Justin Bieber could be a greater travesty.
And the original was Carly Simon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaV-6qerkqI
I’ve just finished shaving my legs – I’m going to go and stuff the hair in my ears to let them recover.
Does anyone recall the “most hallucinogenic rider” kit?
@Markp
@Oli
You know exactly what I mean! You and I, we could rock the ‘tail no worries, but we’d never get away with those shades, man…
Not sure why this didn’t post the first time?
Nope, I have absolutely no idea what you mean…
Haha! I’ve got my old La Vie Claire winter jacket on…and a head band, wtf!?