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.
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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....???