I can’t decide if Tony Rominger was an Evanescent Rider or not. After all, his wins range from 1988 all the way to 1996, which technically means the word “evanescent” doesn’t seem to fit. That said, after a successful streak in the Vuelta, he suddenly discovered a “cure” for his allergies which previously kept him from performing at the Tour de France in July. I can’t help but notice that the most successful era of his career was in perfect alignment with the EPO sweet-spot of the early to mid nineties.
I also can’t decide if Rominger was cool or not. He rode one of my favorite bikes of all time – the twin-downtube Colnago Bitubo – and had an enviably Magnificent Stroke. At the same time, he was somehow a bit ungainly on the bike and was always had something amuck with how he looked; the jersey a bit too big, the sleeves on his dotty jumper cut too crooked, or his cycling cap too askew.
In any case, this photo has a nice composition of classically doped-up riders, flattening out the Pla d’Adet like only jet fuel can. I spy with my little eye the unmistakable nose piece on Zenon Jaskula‘s Briko Shots, and I think that might be Claudio Cappuccino hiding behind his right shoulder. Not sure who the bloke is in the red with the hairnet, but he looks familiar as does the gregario with Big Ring Leg on the front.
The most surprising bit of this photo is that it appears that Armstrong smoked them all and had time to come back down the mountain to snap a few pictures. Who ever said he couldn’t climb pre-cancer?
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@Jarvis
I don't think he ever wore Bolle's - he was one of the riders sporting those weird Adidas shades that looked a little like Bolle and a little like Oakleys. Shit glasses, that's for sure.
You can see the adidas logo here in this picture from the post:
Oli! We need you!
Yep, Barny is definitely there; I thought you'd mentioned that Frank, but I didn't really read the text for the first hour of staring at the photo.
The guy on the front, I'll have a stab and say Unzaga. The other Ariostea, Roberto Conti? And I think our old mate Mr Lino may be sitting there, in a white Festina jersey and a ridiculous headband (or Brikos) on his noggin.
But I'm probably waaay off.
Far out, how cool is that double-downtube shit! Not very, but fuck it would be cool to find one of those...
He didn't look cool, he had no chin, but in all the photos I see of him, he looks like a really nice guy and likable fellow. He did have a magnificent stroke, I remember that much, but it is tainted by the strange bike positions of the time, seat low and way back, arms stretched out wasting energy in the triceps.
Tony Rominger is toiling in his cap but Indurain is cool as a cucumber behind. For me this photo shows the divide. He was no Stephen Roche.
@Jarvis
The Lokbardy win really was a true highlight, he actually won it twice, the first time when he was with Chateau d'Ax. I always thought that was the coolest kit.
@michael
He had a significantly stretched out position; I'm looking around for good side-view shots of him, but I don't see any on Google. But boy, what a smooth stroke. And his TT position was nothing to scoff at, either.
@Brett
That bi tube colnago was so incredibly cool. Check out these shots on Flickr of a bititan. I saw one of these on eBay in my size but skipped it for some idiotic reason. Still regret that one to this day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganzo_bici/3749669336/in/photostream/
Don't worry Frank, they rode like shit. They were flexy as hell and also prone to cracking. I heard that in NZ they had something like a 150% warranty return rate, meaning that even the replacement frames were breaking!
Bolle/Adidas, all shit.
Rominger is mates with Marc Biver, who was the guy who "ran" Astana in 2007. Certainly no innocent.
Never noticed his lack of a chin - perhaps the "Chinless Wonder" moniker should be applied in the future. Add it to the lexicon along with Peter Van Petergem, our "Chisel-jawed Hero"
Not only is L.A. in that pic, so is John McCain.
@Marko
Yep, it all makes sense. Armstrong is actually taking a pic of McCain's wife, who reminds him of his mum.