Road Bike Racing - Whats with the Dummy?

I don't get it, whats with
Sastre and the Dummy at the finish? Is there some
great significance to this that I don't know about?

For those who don't know what the
hell I'm talking about "Dummy" is European/British
for pacifier (heck I didn't know that until I went to RSA).

Marty

"One minute ahead of the battle of the titans, 28 year old Sastre crossed the line for his 2nd career win. A quiet, likeable guy from El Baracco, 20km from Avila, Sastre is married to José Jimenez's sister. As Sastre crossed the finish line in Ax-3 Domaines, he took a blue pacifier from his jersey pocket and popped it in his mouth to dedicate the victory to his two-year old daughter Claudia. "

Apparently, he's had the pacifier since the start of the tour...:)

I wasnt surprized, it appears more and more riders are getting more creative with their finishes. To think he would carry that extra weight!!!!!!!!

It's a good thing he won the stage otherwise he may have "spat the dummy". Sorry couldn't resist.:D

CHEERS.

Mark

I can only imagine he was trying to make some kind of statement. I don't think it was "I'm a big baby." The only connection I'm aware of is that, at least according to some media sources, pacifiers are associated with MDMA usage... who knows.

One of the web sites stated he carries the dummy with him as a reminder to take it easy on the descents. Putting it in his mouth was a dedication to his inspiration, his daughter Claudia.

Zack

Thanks, Zack! I found it on CyclingNews.


[b]
Before crossing the line, Sastre searched his back pockets for his daughter's dummy, and honoured her the victory by putting the dummy in his mouth.

"I always carry something that belongs to my daughter with me. Her name is Claudia and she'll be two years old soon. Sometimes the stress of racing and all the people around it gets to me in a bad way, and it is the thought of her and my family that keeps me sane. Her presence also works as a reminder of what is important in life, and it prevents me from taking stupid risks, like getting myself killed on a descent."
[b]

I apologize for the implicit allusion to drug use. These guys get enough of that *****. Is there a microscopic smiley, as in "I feel really small, right now"?