It doesn’t take a genius to see what’s going on here. Rule #5, Rule #9, Rule #10; every rider in this frame Looks Fantastic (most other Rules). The riders are in short sleeves and shorts while the public apparently has scavenged materials from rubbish bins and the local grain elevator in a very visually unpleasant effort to keep warm. When I visualize the 90’s, this photo pretty much shows what I see. (Why was the weather so crap in France during Big Mig’s reign? Only redeeming quality of his wins.)
What this photo also shows is the highest concentration of Les Maîtres de la Casquette, the masters of the Cycling cap, in recent recorded history. We discussed the art of wearing a Cycling Cap before, probably more often than necessary. Like all art, it begins with some founding principles, and then opens itself to the artist’s vision and expression. And like with art, there are The Masters.
In the art of wearing the revered casquette, we are guided by the Three Point System. From there, we are at liberty to express ourselves. In the days before helmets, the peloton was overflowing with masters of this studied art with an early style peak coinciding directly with the point of bushiest sideburns, but it has since all but died out. The last peak was in 1991, when Big Mig, Chiappucci, Bugno, Luc LeBlanc, and Richard Virenque were all at the height of their powers. Like the Jedi after the rise of the Sith, it is the responsibility of The Velominati to keep this art alive.
It also occurs to me in the state of high fever in which I write this, that the transcended Velominatus is always engaged in a Cycling-related activity which could possibly provide a release-clause for any accusation of a Rule #22 violation.
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Pharmstrong actually wasn't a bad cap-wearer; only style thing he really nailed other than the team shorts thing.
And a close up of the Master.
@frank
No shit. Pantani had his strong moments no doubt however wearing bandana wasn't one of them.
@TommyTubolare
This all really stemmed from him trying to drop the moniker of Elephantino, no? He hated that nickname and wanted to try to create a new one and came up with the whole Pirata persona.
@Buck Rogers Two? I'll take V!
The ride will start soon enough...
@frank
Tried to get a close up look at the orange banded chronograph but couldn't make out what it was. For the longest time I'd simply kept the watch while on the bike to the good ol' good ol' ironman watch but lately I've left been less particular about it being whatever watch I'd been wearing that day.
@Harminator
That's Duclos-Lassale on the right; is that Millar in the middle? Whatever, that's some crazy casually deliberate balancing skills!
@wiscot
Definitey Millar in the middle. Looks like Sean Yates following behind him and possibly Anderson obscured behind Millar. For the trio to the left we need Oli...but they have their stroke all together magnificently.
Peiper far left, Thevenet 3rd from left...
Another great article and pic Frank.
When I see that pic of Gianni Bugno - I recall when he edged LeMan at the finish line on top of L'Alpe d'Huez in the 1990 TDF. That's when it looked at is Greg was in position to win, but he almost fell in that last 90 degree turn and as a result was then in too big of a gear. I was really hoping Greg would have a win on L'Alpe d'Huez after giving the win there to Hinault in '86.
Hard to believe that was 24 years ago.