Road Bike Racing - Chavanel - Next French Badass

It's been awhile. We Americans have made a big fuss about it. The French just haven't produced a top notch rider in too long. Perhaps he has arrived?

A few solid season of building up to:

this year's Paris-Nice and a serious solo win at the Dwars dwar Vlanderen.

Perhaps Moreau can relinquish his not-really-that-glorious spot as best frenchman in the peloton?


I've got this frog tapped for a top 5 at the Ronde.

Wanna bet?

i wouldn't put your wheels of brie before the cart just yet.

I'm still a fan of "little Thomas Voeckler".

Hasn't Chavanel been touted before only to disappoint?

Hasn't Chavanel been touted before only to disappoint?

You may be thinking of Sebastien Chavanel, who was next great thing out of France.

Sylvain has the same promise, but the OP is right, the Frogs are still waiting.

French Badass

Isnt that an oxymoron?

French Badass

Isnt that an oxymoron?

no, that would be compassionate conservative.

French Badass

Isnt that an oxymoron?

Like Fatguy Racer? :D

Like Fatguy Racer? :D

oh, snap.

You may be thinking of Sebastien Chavanel, who was next great thing out of France.

Sylvain has the same promise, but the OP is right, the Frogs are still waiting.

I was going to say the same thing. But Sebastien is younger than Sylvain by about 2 years.

I think Remy Di Gregorio is the next Frenchman to "carry the hopes and dreams" of the French in the Tour. Velo News did an article on him in the latest issue. He weighs something like 85 lbs....and will likely blow up at the Tour...

no, that would be compassionate conservative.

:D

Like Fatguy Racer? :D

EXACTLY! :D

Hasn't Chavanel been touted before only to disappoint?

He has ever since Cofidis took him on. Regardless he has been a favorite ever since his Bonjour team days.

I think Remy Di Gregorio is the next Frenchman to "carry the hopes and dreams" of the French in the Tour. Velo News did an article on him in the latest issue. He weighs something like 85 lbs....and will likely blow up at the Tour...

Remy does look good. ProCycling did a feature on him a number of issues ago.

What's up with his shoes?
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races08/misc08/ddv-chavanel.jpg

his shoes are awesome

It's on Cyclingnews.com - The shoes were specially made for him (Specialized S-Works) because he wanted to stand out/be flashy or whatnot.

he wanted to stand out/be flashy or whatnot.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/chickiepea86/fail.jpg

What's up with his shoes?
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races08/misc08/ddv-chavanel.jpg

As per Cycling News Letters...

Ah yes these are a special pair for Chavanel. It's the S-Works shoe he's run for a couple years but he wanted a little extra inspiration.; apparently it worked.

Sylvain isn't afraid of taking footwear risks - if you've watched closely he ran a crazy red pair last year.

Carl Bird
Specialized Footwear
Morgan Hill, CA, USA
Thursday, March 20, 2008

I would wear them. Especially in May/Early June. In fact I'm wrapping my bars pink for the Giro d'Italia time period.

There's pink, and there's HOT pink. Sylvain's choice for the latter leaves me with more questions than answers.

they would already match my handlebar tape.

There's pink, and there's HOT pink. Sylvain's choice for the latter leaves me with more questions than answers.

That he might be playing for the other side? Don't ask, don't tell.

You've got to be fast to wear pink.