MSR Week: Video Madness!

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 19, 2009 1:45 AM EDT in News

You want video? WE GOT VIDEO.

1922 - 15° Milano-Sanremo (via ponentevarazzino)

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Comments

Fun stuff!

Love the vintage stuff, so cool.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

Watching Kelly is stirring stuff. If I recall, he rode a Vitus 979 at some point in his career, which had a reputation for noodle-y behavior, and wasn’t held to be a sprinter’s bike. Or maybe I’m off base with that memory. Can anybody confirm this?

by pigilito on Mar 19, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

Yes he did, for much of his pro career.

I owned a couple of them too, both got destroyed in crit crashes, but I would love to have one again. That frame was indeed a little flexy especially in the larger sizes, but it also had a really nice feel for long-distance road riding; kinda comfortable and it had an “energy return” sorta feel to it. I loved it. And they were not too expensive, which is why some of us used them for crit racing. The only thing I did not like was the 25.0mm seatpost opening, those were tough to find at times.

Kelly was a high-rpm rider, sprinted at higher rpms too, so it was ok for him to sprint with. By today’s standards, a guy like Ale-Jet sprinting in a 53X11 would probably hate that frame!

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Legend was

that Kelly got a new frame every month or so . . .

High rpm he might have been, but he was also super-high torque as well: another legend involves him attacking up the hill in Carrack-on-Suir during a local race early in his career and laying down skid marks as he spun the wheel out.

by R Mc on Mar 19, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't doubt it one bit.

Tough as nails, strong as an ox that guy. The most amazing thing about him to me back in the day, was that he was not a great climber on big long mtn passes, but yet unlike other sprinters and rouleurs he would really force himself to suffer over them, trying his guts out, rarely content to sit back in “the bus” with the others. Dude just had amazing heart.

That MSR vid above: Argentin was a pretty tough customer too. So to watch Kelly chase him down like that, at exactly the right point in the race, says a lot.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's give full credence to Argentin

from Wikipedia

“He won Liège-Bastogne-Liège four times, the La Flèche Wallonne three times and the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Giro di Lombardia once. He became Italian national champion in 1983 and 1989, and world champion in 1986”

This was no slouch that Kelly chased down and schooled in a one-on-one sprint!

by muk on Mar 19, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I said this in the next thread

The way Kelly chases down Argentin, destroys his dream, and then literally forces Argentin to lead him out for the inevitable win is borderline cruel. Of course, Kelly was a bike racer supreme. And I doubt the word “gift” ever crossed his mind in the saddle. Very old school, much respect.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 19, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Old school

I remember seeing this awesome quote from the Eurosport coverage of the 2003 Tour, when Ullrich and the others waited for Armstrong after his crash on Luz-Ardiden:

Duffield: Would you have waited?

Kelly: No.

by Susie Hartigan on Mar 19, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh.

Cityboys don’t think like that. Farmer’s boys do though. Love that.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Farm boys

That reminds me of my favorite quote from the autobiography of another farmer’s son, Bernard Hinault:

I was only a choir boy once, when my cousin got married. I didn’t develop a taste for it.

by Susie Hartigan on Mar 19, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I adore that quote.

…from my favorite rider in the history of cycling. Loved Merckx’ talent, but Hinault had insatiable drive to overcome anything and win, and the braun and guts to deliver it. Even though Hinault was immensely disliked during his early career, people later realized that he epitomized the great competitor sportsman. Have you seen that video of him winning LBL (I think) in the snow by like 15 mins, with frostbite? Says it all.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep, one of a kind

We won’t see his like again.

by Susie Hartigan on Mar 19, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope

We won’t.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I dunno.

We’ll see more of them. This sport doesn’t raise many sissies. I suppose we won’t see guys cutting across disciplines like that; that’s changed. But in our lifetime, I wouldn’t rule that out either.

Having said that, Hinault was a true cyclist.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 19, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I respectfully submit: It does raise a few....

…sissies in a hardman’s body. Basso “I hit me knee and can’t start the TT”. That is sissy defined. Danielson is a physically gifted sissy, too, health problems aside. Cipo was a sissy runway-model complainer with the talent for speed. There are many I would say. Gifted doesn’t always mean tough Not like Hinault anyway. Just sayin’.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

well

there are layers to it, but you can’t reach that level without inhuman amounts of work, often in seriously sheit weather.

Also, if Basso hits his knee in the Giro, I bet you he continues.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 20, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

True

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 20, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Still

your original point, that Hinault was in a league of his own, is pretty hard to dispute.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 20, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Coppi is my favourite

The man oozed style and grace.

But Hinault comes a close second. He leaves me with the impression that he was not as gifted as his results suggest, he added the last 10 % from pure determination and will power.

I think that Hinault is credited with “as long as I breath, I attack”. Says it all.

by muk on Mar 19, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

You wouldn't want to see this coming up behind you

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ewoud/cycling/hinault.jpg

by tedvdw on Mar 19, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Has anyone actually checked his whereabouts

on the day Lemond had his huntingaccident?

Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.

by Jens on Mar 19, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh.

He was sending the check to the brother in law.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny

Kelly’s 1992 win didn’t make the Top Ten editions at La Gazzetta dello Sport.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 19, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

He's not Italian!

That could have figured into it.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Am thinking

when they run their bottom ten, it will be right in the mix.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 19, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Sean Kelly genuinely used to believe

that he could win the GC at the Tour de France. I remember seeing an interview years ago after his inevitable jour sans, where he was almost in tears, and holding the green jersey was no consolation whatsoever. “I’ve already won that a couple of times already”

by Monty. on Mar 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the confirmation. That was my dream bike for many years.

Last time I saw one was about ten years ago. I know what you mean with small seatpost diameter. I now have an old Look carbon with a similar size. post.

by pigilito on Mar 19, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

There is a local shop here nearby

Owned by an older Italian gent who loves dealing in used vintage racing bikes. He restores them, gets real good money for them. he has a couple of Vitus 979’s there right now. Bit pricey for me though, and not my size.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Where is nearby and what is pricey? Also, any 53 or 54 sizes?

by pigilito on Mar 19, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Shop is in Lake Forest, CA

Sizes we like 56cm and 58cm if I remember correctly. If you want more info I’ll get it for you, just email me from profile.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

"were", not "we"

Geez can’t type today!

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, but those are too big.

I’ll keep watching Ebay.

by pigilito on Mar 19, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

OK no worries.

I’ll keep an eye out for ya.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

What shop is that?

I’m in Irvine — just curious…

by Noah on Mar 19, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Bicisport Bicycles

Moulton at La Paz, Lake Forest.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Mar 19, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Is that snow in the 1922 one?

The Kelly one is just epic. What an animal that guy was…

More Muur...

by Jimbo... on Mar 19, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

Si...

Like 2 ft on the descent of the Torchino. I think only like four guys showed up in the results that year, and the fourth was like 2 hours down on the winner.

LOL, I think Chris saw the same Gazzetta article I did. Heh, now I must find new material ;-)

by Jen See on Mar 19, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

That 1922 film is wonderful

And all the little stories too. How Giuseppe Rofoni jumped off his bike during the first stage of the 1925 Giro to save a 5 year old that had fallen in the canal, and in return all he asked for was a pack of cigarettes, presumably to replace the ones that he had in his pocket at the time.

And even with those huge crowds, the marshals could still screw things up: Girardengo, the favourite, had his sprint ruined just 200 metres from the finish line when one stepped out looking the wrong way.

by Monty. on Mar 19, 2009 6:17 PM EDT reply actions