Professional Cycling For the Fans - Limits to sponsors' endorsement of riders

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Bruco
07-14-04, 10:13 AM
I saw a nice piece of footage (sorry to those who do not receive such generous coverage of the TdF) of two Lotto-Domo riders in their hotel rooms after one of the wet stages. They were drying their multi-$ shoes with hairblowers. So, contrary to what we might think, the pro's do not have unlimited access to their sponsors' gear. Need a new pair of Sidi's? Go buy them! (In fact, I just did. :) )

ed073
07-14-04, 05:34 PM
I saw a nice piece of footage (sorry to those who do not receive such generous coverage of the TdF) of two Lotto-Domo riders in their hotel rooms after one of the wet stages. They were drying their multi-$ shoes with hairblowers. So, contrary to what we might think, the pro's do not have unlimited access to their sponsors' gear. Need a new pair of Sidi's? Go buy them! (In fact, I just did. :) )


Professionals are very particular about their gear and would be especially loathe to have to break in a new pair of shoes during the Tour.

Landalauze was even wearing the 2003 Dura-Ace shoe the other day.

I remember a story about Museeuw leaving his wet Nikes too close to the heater one night on Tour after a wet day.....melted shoes.

What Sidis did you buy? Ergo 1s? Props to you mate if you did!!! :)
DieselDan
07-14-04, 07:38 PM
There was a picture in our local paper of Thomas Voeckler ironing his malliot jaune in the laundry room of his hotel during the rest day.

ed073
07-14-04, 07:43 PM
There was a picture in our local paper of Thomas Voeckler ironing his malliot jaune in the laundry room of his hotel during the rest day.


That's an old, old, Tour rest day running gag. Like Bernard Hinault hanging out the washing (lots of yellow jerseys) on the rest day, or Pascal Lino windsurfing in the maillot jaune.
Bruco
07-15-04, 03:58 AM
What Sidis did you buy? Ergo 1s? Props to you mate if you did!!! :)

Nope, not the Ergo's. Those are way beyond my budget. I went for the Energy instead. After working hard both on and off the bike, I decided to spoil myself a bit...
Bruco
07-15-04, 04:02 AM
That's an old, old, Tour rest day running gag. Like Bernard Hinault hanging out the washing (lots of yellow jerseys) on the rest day, or Pascal Lino windsurfing in the maillot jaune.

:) Not too long ago, though, riders were actually doing their post-stage laundry themselves. Peter Winnen's 'bio' ('From Santander to Santander') describes this in some detail. Nowadays, the team buses have washing machines on board.
ed073
07-15-04, 04:08 PM
Nope, not the Ergo's. Those are way beyond my budget. I went for the Energy instead. After working hard both on and off the bike, I decided to spoil myself a bit...


you are on a winner there....same as mine, except mine are silver. Best shoes ever. :)
Bruco
07-16-04, 04:43 AM
you are on a winner there....same as mine, except mine are silver. Best shoes ever. :)

Nice to hear that! I have yet to cycle in them, for the mail order hasn't yet arrived (with a 40 Euro difference compared to the LBS, I couldn't resist buying online). When I tried them on, they felt really good. Much better than my 50 Euro Girano's.