March 19th, 2010

The grimpeur of the pavé0

With his third win in Paris-Roubaix this year, Tom Boonen joined some illustrious company in the three-time winner club, including Rik van Looy, Eddy Merckx, and Francesco Moser. He is now only one victory short of equalling ‘Mr Paris-Roubaix’ himself, Roger De Vlaeminck, but perhaps five wins is beyond even ‘Tornado Tom’.

The first three-time winner, though, was Octave Lapize who won in 1909, 1910, and 1911. Defying the idea that maturity and experience are essential on the cobbles, his win in 1909 was in his first race and he was aged just 21 years. (more…)

La casquette6

The cycling cap, la casquette, has a long and venerable tradition in our sport. The most current design, with the lightweight fabric shell and a small peak – easily stowed and adjusted – can be dated to the 1960s when it replaced some earlier designs.

Cap 1
Shorts have changed design, too.

While bare-headed, and often immaculately coiffured, riders are the iconic imagery of cycling, the cap has also offered defining images. There are a number of styles that that wearer can adopt, peak forward or to the back, peak raised or lowered, or the cap itself poised jauntily in moments of easy frivolity, or snug for serious racing. (more…)

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