Despite being a bald, visually challenged Velominatus, I envy only one other man from the peloton past. The only man who could pull off the historically near-impossible chrome-dome/ponytail combination, and couple it with a pair of wire-rimmed reading glasses yet still manage to exude a lethal concoction of Gallic style, hardness and pure V that could defeat opponents with its very presence.
Even the cobbles here in the 89 Paris-Roubaix are being blown dry by the force of The Professor’s big ring whirlpool, floating millimeters above the surface and forcing the rider he’s just passed into a muddy pit of broken stones while he continues his assault down the middle, on the crown.
Though he rode for teams with some of the most unflattering kits ever, The Professor always managed to look immaculate. This is just another example. He was a template for The Rules long before any notion of them was ever dreamed of. Except of course Rule #36, which he naturally transcends and earns him an automatic pass on account of his sheer badassness.
I’m tempted to dig out my very first pair of prescription specs, similar to these and which I would’ve acquired around that time, and rock them in honour of Le Prof on our Roubaix ride on Keepers Tour 13 next April. The ponytail, well I’d be wise to not attempt that one…
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brett hope you can find one of those old sausage helmets to complete the look. beautifully colour coordinated of course
Of course Merckx was known as the Cannibal, but The Professor looks like he's about to eat whomever is in front of him (assuming there is even anyone left)
Aha another one of LeMans rivals....!
Nice one. Such an awesome pic. I wonder which secteur that is? That's what I always think now when I see these pics and the secteur isn't obvious (like the Trench or Carre Four). And I'm glad you can at least appreciate someone riding the crown vicariously.
Pure class! Just awesome. He was the one I always imagined (still imagine some days) was/is chasing me down when on a solo training ride and doing long intervals.
I tried to find and buy a Belgian hairnet when in France in June and could not find one anywhere! Must be a place on the web but I wanted to hold onto one and try it on. Still want to get one.
The Professeur was the badass of Pave', despite his druthers, and his statements that he hated these conditions and didn't really do well in them, it seems it may have almost been a reverse-psychology tact that he employed because he was one killer PRO in spring.
He was definitely ahead of his time
So, despite this huge groundswell of support for LeMan post Lance, which has affected me tremendously, I still can't help but sympathize with Fignon over the 89 Tour. The man was just the perfect combination of arrogant, cool, and tear-your-fucking-legs-off-and-leave-you-for-dead cyclist. I just like him more than LeMond.
Plus, I was kind of nerdy growing up, hell, I still am, and Fignon LOOKS like one of my people, but he would have left any of the athletes I grew up with in the ditch crying for mother. He's awesome. One of my all time favorites.
@Souleur
and Summer - still the last rider to win both a Monument and a Grand Tour in the same year from what I recall
@MrLowell
I love the quote he gave to whomever it was that said to him 'You're the guy who lost the Tour by 8 seconds' - He replied, 'No, I'm the guy who won the Tour twice'
Brilliant! ... absolutely captures the moment. Huge respect for Fignon and his hardman style of racing.
@MrLowell
In retrospect it's hard to believe I rooted for LeMond over Fignon (not to take anything away from LeMond, either). On the off cance you haven't read it yet, pick up a copy of We Were Young and Carefree.