Anatomy of a Photo: It’s All About the Shoes

Chucky Mottet wins the '86 Eddy Merckx Grand Prix. Photo: Winners & Champions, V5

It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: the shoes say an awful lot about the rider. More than they’d like them to in retrospect, I’m guessing. Here we have the Prophet, looking mighty dapper, congratulating the unexpected victor in the form of Charley Mottet in the Grand Prix of his own name.

A first glance at the photo reveals a few gems: we witness the first hints of the death of the Cycling Cap at the hands of one of the worst examples of a “baseball cap” in existence. We also have a Kwantum rider whom I suspect had a time of it getting comfortable on his TT bike with that rod shoved up his ass. Whatever works, although that’s more Rule #5 than I’m equipped to deal with in a productive way. The rider who got third, whom I’m assuming is Italian based on his kit and impeccable style, is the only magnificent example of a cyclist in the photo. Aside from Merckx, obviously.

And the shoes. Again I point to the Italian with my “that’s how you do it” finger, and give a brisk wag of the “oh no you di-int” thumb at the other two. Loafers for Kwantum and a pair of what-the-fucks for Chuck. Not good.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

Next Thomas Voeckler, Je m'excuse »

Previous « Unforgettable Rides: 1986 l'Alpe d'Huez

View Comments

Flamme Rouge says:

Jun 17 2011 at 11:36 am

At least the shoes and cap match! In a disengaging, French, road-chique way. A slight homage to rule 17 perhaps?
Alpin says:

Jun 17 2011 at 11:47 am

@frank

Your never worn out desire to debunk the most unknown minutiae of the PRO Peloton will never cease to amaze me : ... Now, that's dedication!
Beppe says:

Jun 17 2011 at 12:15 pm

Italians just know what they are doing when it comes to cycling, clothes, cars, art, food etc.
mcsqueak says:

Jun 17 2011 at 1:15 pm

@Beppe

You forgot coffee. Er I mean espresso.
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Jun 17 2011 at 1:34 pm

I do not remember much of the 1986 since I was making the military service.
Kwantum is the grand-grandfather of the Team Rabobank, the Santini Cierre rider is the Danish Jesper Worre, who rode always for Italian team.
Mottet was the best contender of the Giro d'Italia 1990, the year that Gianni Bugno wore the pink jersey from the first stage to the last.
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Jun 17 2011 at 1:35 pm

Ah!
And Merckx looks great
as always!
G'phant says:

Jun 17 2011 at 1:52 pm

'Prophet' doesn't have a Lexi entry? Too obvious to require one?
frank says:

Jun 17 2011 at 2:03 pm

@Beppe, @mcsqueak

Italians just know what they are doing when it comes to cycling, clothes, cars, art, food etc.

@Beppe
You forgot coffee. Er I mean espresso.

...and wine, relaxing, living, throwing a classy hissy fit, wacking people...they pretty much have it covered on all angles.
frank says:

Jun 17 2011 at 2:05 pm

@Pedale.Forchetta

I do not remember much of the 1986 since I was making the military service.
Kwantum is the grand-grandfather of the Team Rabobank, the Santini Cierre rider is the Danish Jesper Worre, who rode always for Italian team.
Mottet was the best contender of the Giro d'Italia 1990, the year that Gianni Bugno wore the pink jersey from the first stage to the last.

Mottet was one of my favorites for ever. I spent about three years riding like him dropping my shoulders straight down to the bars with every stroke. My brother called him Chuck Flop because of that. Didn't matter to me, he was my hero, thus I was going to imitate him 100%.

I was very happy when gave up on the G.C. and started riding for stage wins - it was great seeing him at the front more often. One of my favorites ever. Photos of him online are few and far between. I'll have to collect more scans out of books. This effort smells like Oli already!
frank says:

Jun 17 2011 at 2:08 pm

@G'phant

'Prophet' doesn't have a Lexi entry? Too obvious to require one?

Uh, it does now!