though i reckon Boonen’s “Just too soon”" Victory Salute should be added – you know the one when Cav nips in under his arm to actually win the race. Truly wonderful photos ensued. Can’t find the video of it sadly.

There’s only one kind of win, not several, and not multi-day races. It’s a short, basically individual competition. Makes sense to help your teammate if you don’t have a chance at the win, but otherwise? Well, in most individual athletic competitions, “gifting” is, rightfully, called “cheating” or “fixing.”

Also in cross it’s darn hard not to cut someone’s line at some point. Put that together with a young guy who’s on track to be the biggest cross phenomen of his generation (OK, Boom’s now up there too) and someone who really never got that kind of love, and gestures…happen.