So many teams for Larry, it was hard to keep them straight.

@scottswede

Hmmmm, that might require some balls.

You might be thinking of Simoni… Larry’s only Tour stage win was in Festina kit (96).

I think I remember him winning a stage in Le Tour, wearing his red Saeco kit (?), and thinking, it’s about time you won something FFS.

And if anyone wants to be like Jan, wear that nice simple celeste bianchi jersey and make sure your legs are as awesome as his. That would be a worthy life goal.

Regardless of winning or not….if he were judged by the company he kept, he would be a superstar! There are some big names in that post…

To be fair to Larry, he did win some big races; the Dauphine twice, Route du Sud twice, Midi Libre, and that big mountain stage into Pamplona in le Tour 96. The photo of him beating Ullrich is the Championship of Zurich World Cup race in 2000. He had a bit of a sprint on him too…

Looks like der Kaiser’s linked up with Ghost as well –

5.87kg, price on application!

AND you can ride with the man in Mallorca next year http://www.ghost-bikes.com/experience/news/ghost-partner-champions-training-und-jan-ullrich-laden-zum-saisonstart-nach-mallorca-ein/

Start saving now

Seeing a compact on an Ullrich bike is like tits on a bull.

5.87kg, price on application!

AND you can ride with the man in Mallorca next year http://www.ghost-bikes.com/experience/news/ghost-partner-champions-training-und-jan-ullrich-laden-zum-saisonstart-nach-mallorca-ein/

Start saving now

@ChrisO

@minion

Man I need to get on the fucking gear. Seems to be the best way to be venerated after retirement, especially now that Rapha’s hocking clothes with der Kaiser.

They’ve always had a soft spot for him, like many people on this site.

What like this?

@minion

Man I need to get on the fucking gear. Seems to be the best way to be venerated after retirement, especially now that Rapha’s hocking clothes with der Kaiser.

They’ve always had a soft spot for him, like many people on this site.

Interesting point that came out reading Wheelmen is that the Festina Affair scared the crap out of Ullrich and he raced largely without the use of blood boosters or blood manipulation until 2003 when he finally got tired of getting spanked my Pharmstrong and recommitted to le métier.

@VeloVita

Who is on the right in the polka dots?

I think it’s Thierry Claveyrolat. Interesting and tragic back story here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Claveyrolat

Wow, that is tragic.  I had no idea – thanks for the link.

I generally find it hard to feel much adulation for any of the ‘top’ riders of that era – I wouldn’t force them all out but if they haven’t been up front about the whole thing and acknowledged the problem (and I don’t think Ullrich has) then I am indifferent to them.

Man I need to get on the fucking gear. Seems to be the best way to be venerated after retirement, especially now that Rapha’s hocking clothes with der Kaiser.

They’ve always had a soft spot for him, like many people on this site.

I’ve got a Rapha ‘country’ jersey German edition from maybe three or four years ago and the little blurb on the inside pocket is a paean to Der Kaiser.

I think all he’s doing is acting as a brand ambassador for them, wearing their kit. Unless you think nobody associated with doping should be able to earn any part of their living in connection with cycling then it’s hard to argue against. If he had a negative image they wouldn’t use him.

(Note there seems to be no thumbnail image of photo 16.  You have to click the arrow on the right side when you hover over picture 15.  Not the arrow next to the thumbnails.)

Anyone winning a race with red/gold striped bartape should be demoted.

Man, that stuff is fucking horrible.

Relegated to the back.

[dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/frank/2013.12.04.15.11.25/1//”/]

@wiscot My earliest road race memories are of Raul chasing down, taking stabs at LeMond and Fignon in 1989.

My first memory of Raul, aside from his stint in polka dots, was him looking immaculate on his way into Spa to win a stage in the ’89 Tour. Classy rider.

@VeloVita

Who is on the right in the polka dots?

I think it’s Thierry Claveyrolat. Interesting and tragic back story here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Claveyrolat

Yes, it is. One of my favorite-ever riders – and a tragic story around his death. He was from the Vizille area, just below l’Alpe d’Huez. Great rider.

Man, that stuff is fucking horrible.

Who is on the right in the polka dots?

I think it’s Thierry Claveyrolat.  Interesting and tragic back story here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Claveyrolat