Brett’s article on the the 1995 Worlds set the standard of quality in our fledgling Anatomy of a Photo series. The great tale he had to tell of watching it from Spain, the artifacts of mid-90’s racing such as the neon colors and handlebar attachments, to say nothing of the identification of Oliviero Rincon (who, I believe may have accomplished more in his career falling off his bike than winning races).
I’m following up on his analytical and articulate piece by submitting a photo that that does little more than make me giggle like a school girl. This puppy could double as a groundbreaker in the Breaking the Rules series, given all the violations I’m seeing even at a first glance. Quite frankly, I’m not sure what to say that this image doesn’t already communicate in spades.
We have LeMelvis, seemingly not in any way on the same page as American Cycling Icon Tom Ritchey. He seems to be begging for Tom’s attention like a child tugging at his mother’s skirt. Tom seems to hardly notice the three-time Tour winner and is apparently intent on capturing him in this humiliating state. Not that Greg needs help in that department, seems a proper genius at it, in fact.
Then we have the fact that LeMond is riding in a longsleeve jersey, and Tom has seen fit to (shoddily) cut the sleeves off his jersey altogether. Seems to be bit of a difference betwixt the two in sense of temperature comfort zones, or perhaps a more coordinated evaluation of the outside temperature pre-ride would have been suitable.
In any case, this photo deserves a place in this series, and what better time than a Friday afternoon to stare at a computer screen and make fun of some people who have accomplished loads in their careers. I prescribe heavy helpings of The V to both of them.
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Looks like Greg wants to toss Tom's salad.
For a man five years older than Greg, Tom's hair is remarkably less ravaged with grey. Greg's thinking "that hair is doped, mine's the real deal"...
Ha, that's funny. Tom's hair is totally on the sauce.
That's be a serious 'stache, too. I bet there's doping going on there, too. LeMelvis is gonna complain about that one.
Where does Ritchey live? He looks way 'Vegas.
Really, this is a great study in comparison and contrast. Both in Assos jerseys, one long sleeved, prim and proper, the other w/the sleeves jacked off of it cause the lone wolf doesn't need'm. Now which one are you going to jack with now??
I also see Lemond, scrapping to hang on, a little short of breath as he mentions to Tom 'yeah, he said that, then I said....' Tom says 'this is who I dropped today on my ride'....snap, then Tom, never says a word and just rides off.
I had two different people come into my office to ask me what I was chuckling about.
@frank I am amazed by how much of the Great Work you get accomplished in the office...love it!
Oh, God..that's a great photo. But I feel guilty, almost, laughing as I do. Greg - I don't know what to say. A tragic hero with this kind of unique naivete. I think what i appreciate about Greg, as opposed to The Robots, is that, even when he's making an ass out of himself, he's just being real. Sometimes it's painful to witness, frankly. Sometimes I get where he's coming from. It's messy. I love taking photos out of context and musing about them. Perhaps, Frank, we should have an "anatomy of a photo caption contest"? This one has great potential. And yes, I have no idea what the hell is going on with Ritchey's cut-off jersey sleeves...I don't think this is an example of transcending the rules.
There is something about this photo. I feel hauntingly taunted by it. It stays with you. I'm not sure I'll sleep well tonight...
@KitCarson
Ah...the magic of being the first to arrive to the conference call and having a minute to burn...
This photo does stick with you...it is tragic. Ritchey's open jersey and 'stache make him look more like a misplaced Harley dude than a Cycling Legend. Indeed, poor ol' LeMelvis...Such a hero.
Damnit. Now I'm depressed.