Subject: 5 Racing
------------------------------
Subject: 5.1 Tour de France Jerseys
From: Chris Murphy <murphyc@bionette.CGRB.ORST.EDU>
Chauner and Halstead (1990) in "The Tour de France Complete Book of
Cycling"
explain:
YELLOW Jersey -- Overall leader, first awarded during the 1919 race
(TdF
started in 1903); yellow to match
the paper used to print L'Auto
(Automobile Cyclisme), a French
newspaper about bike racing.
POLKADOT Jersey (White w/red dots) -- Best climber, determined by points
scored by the first
3 to 15 riders finishing selected mountain
stages (number of
riders awarded points varies with the
difficulty of the
stage). First awarded 1933.
GREEN Jersey -- Points jersey, usually won by sprinter-types, with points
given to the first 25 riders to finish
each stage. First awarded 1953.
YELLOW Hats -- First place team, determined by combined elapsed times
of the
the team's top 3 riders.
In the event of a rider leading the race and also deserving one of the
other
jerseys, the race leader wears yellow, and the 2nd place in the category
wears
the category jersey.
------------------------------
Subject: 5.2 Major Tour Winners 1947-1990
From: Tim Smith <tsmith@gryphon.CTS.COM>
[Ed note: I'm hoping Tim won't be too upset if I add to the list
he posted.
I need some help filling in the last few years.]
Winners of the Big Three National Tours -- Since 1947:
Tour de France
Giro d'Italia
Vuelta d'Espana
*----------------------------------------------------------------------
1947 Jean Robic (F)
Fausto Coppi (I) E. van Dyck
(B)
1948 Gino Bartali (I)
F. Magni (I)
B. Ruiz (E)
1949 Fausto Coppi (I)
F. Coppi
(not held)
1950 Ferdi Kubler (CH)
Hugo Koblet (CH) E. Rodriguez
(E)
1951 Hugo Koblet (CH)
F. Magni
(nh)
1952 Fausto Coppi
F. Coppi
(nh)
1953 Louison Bobet (F)
F. Coppi
(nh)
1954 Louison Bobet
C. Clerici (CH) (nh)
1955 Louison Bobet
F. Magni
J. Dotto (F)
1956 Roger Walkowiak (F)
Charly Gaul (L) A. Conterno
(I)
1957 Jacques Anquetil (F) Gastone
Nencini (I) J. Lorono (E)
1958 Charly Gaul (L)
E. Baldini (I) Jean
Stablinski (F)
1959 Federico Bahamontes (E) Charly Gaul
A. Suarez (E)
1960 Gastone Nencini (I)
Jacques Anquetil (F) F. de Mulder (B)
1961 Jacques Anquetil
A. Pambianco (I) A. Soler (E)
1962 Jacques Anquetil
F. Balmamion (I) Rudy Altig (D)
1963 Jacques Anquetil
F. Balmamion
J. Anquetil (F)
1964 Jacques Anquetil
Jacques Anquetil Raymond Poulidor
(F)
1965 Felice Gimondi (I)
V. Adorni (I)
R. Wolfshohl (D)
1966 Lucien Aimar (F)
Gianni Motta (I) F. Gabica (E)
1967 Roger Pingeon (F)
Felice Gimondi (I) J. Janssen (NDL)
1968 Jan Janssen (NDL)
Eddy Merckx (B) Felice
Gimondi (I)
1969 Eddy Merckx (B)
Felice Gimondi Roger
Pingeon (F)
1970 Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Luis Ocana (E)
1971 Eddy Merckx
Gosta Petersson (S) F. Bracke (B)
1972 Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
J-M Fuente (E)
1973 Luis Ocana (E)
Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx (B)
1974 Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
J-M Fuente
1975 Bernard Thevenet (F) F. Bertoglio
(I) Tamames (E)
1976 Lucien van Impe (B)
Felice Gimondi J.
Pesarrodona (E)
1977 Bernard Thevenet
Michel Pollentier (B) Freddy Maertens (B)
1978 Bernard Hinault (F)
J. de Muynck (B) Bernard Hinault
(F)
1979 Bernard Hinault
Giuseppe Saronni (I) Joop Zoetemelk (NDL)
1980 Joop Zoetemelk (NDL) Bernard
Hinault (F) F. Ruperez (E)
1981 Bernard Hinault
Giovanni Battaglin (I) Giovanni Battaglin (I)
1982 Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault Marino
Lejarreta (E)
1983 Laurent Fignon (F)
Giuseppe Saronni (I) Bernard Hinault (F)
1984 Laurent Fignon
Francesco Moser (I) Eric Caritoux (F)
1985 Bernard Hinault
Bernard Hinault Pedro Delgado
(E)
1986 Greg Lemond (USA)
Roberto Visentini (I) Alvaro Pino (E)
1987 Stephen Roche (EIR)
Stephen Roche (EIR) Luis Herrera (Col.)
1988 Pedro Delgado (E)
Andy Hampsten (USA) Sean Kelly (EIR)
1989 Greg Lemond (USA)
Laurent Fignon (F) Pedro Delgado (E)
1990 Greg Lemond (USA)
Guanni Bugno (I) Marco Giovanetti
(I)
1991 Miguel Indurain (E)
Franco Chioccioli (I) Melchior Mauri (E)
1992 Miguel Indurain (E)
Miguel Indurain (E) Toni Rominger (CH)
1993 Miguel Indurain (E)
Miguel Indurain (E) Toni Rominger (CH)
1994 Miguel Indurain (E)
Eugeni Berzin (RUS) Toni Rominger(CH)
1995 Miguel Indurain (E)
Toni Rominger (CH) Laurent Jalabert (FR)
1996 Bjarne Rijs (DK)
Pavel Tonkov (RUS) Alex Zulle (CH)
The Tour started in 1903, and was not held 1915-1918 and 1940-1946.
The Giro started in 1909, and was not held 1915-1918 and 1941-1945.
Source: 1947-1982: "La Fabuleuse Histoire du Cyclisme" by Pierre Chany.
1982-1988: my fallible memory.
Would someone complete 1983 and
1984, and correct any mistakes?
Thanks.
One interesting observation: almost all the winners of the Tour were
big names in their time (yes, even Charly Gaul and Jean Robic.)
There were no same-year winners of the Tour and the Giro before 1949.
In fact, the first year a non-Italian won the Giro was 1950.
------------------------------
Subject: 5.3 Rating the Tour de France Climbs
From: Bruce Hildenbrand <bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com>
One of the most frequently asked questions is how do the organizers
determine the ratings for the climbs in the Tour de France(TIOOYK).
The Tour organizers use two criteria 1) the length and steepness of
the climb and 2) the position of the climb in the stage. A third,
and much lesser criteria, is the quality of the road surface.
It is important to note several things before this discussion begins.
First, the organizers of the Tour have been very erratic in their
classifications of climbs. The north side of the Col de la Madeleine
has flip-flopped between a 1st Category to an Hors Category climb,
even though it seems to be in the same position of a stage every
year.
Secondly, rating inflation, so rampant in other sports has raised
its ugly head here. Climbs that used to be a 2nd Category are
now a
1st Category, even though, like the Madeleine, they occupy the same
position in a stage year after year.
Let's talk about the ratings. I will give you my impressions
on what I think the criteria are for rating the climbs based on
having ridden over 100 of the rated climbs in the major European
tours.
Note that gradual climbs do not receive grades. It has been my
observation that about a 4% grade is necessary for a climb to get
rated. Also, a climb must gain at least 100m for it to be rated.
The organizers of the Tour de France also claim that the quality of
the road surface can influence the rating of a climb. If the
surface
is very poor, like some of the more obscure climbs in the Pyrenees,
then the rating may be bumped up.
4th Category - the lowest category, climbs of 300-1000 feet(100-300m).
3rd Category - climbs of 1000-2000 feet(300-600m).
2nd Category - climbs of 2000-3500 ft.(600-1100m)
1st Category - climbs of 3500-5000ft(1100-1500m)
Hors Category - the hardest, climbs of 5000ft+(1500m+)
Points awarded for the climbs ranges are as follows (from the 1990
race bible):
4th Category: 3 places: 5, 3, 1
3rd Category: 5 places: 10, 7, 5, 3, 1
2nd Category: 10 places: 20, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1
1st Category: 12 places: 30, 26, 22, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1
Hors Category: 15 places: 40, 35, 30, 26, 22, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1
Steepness also plays a factor in the rating. Most of the big climbs
in the Alps average 7-8% where the big climbs in the Pyrenees average
8-9%.
Please remember that I am giving very, very rough guidelines and
that there are exceptions to every rule. For example, L'Alpe
D'Huez
climbs 3700ft(1200m), but is an Hors Category climb. This is
because
it usually comes at the end of a very tough stage and the climb itself
is unusually steep(~9%) by Alpine standards.
More confusing is the Col de Borderes, a mere 1000ft(300m) climb outside
of Arrens in the Pyrenees mountains. I have seen it rated anywhere
from
a 3rd Category to a 1st Category !!! This is most likely due
again, to its
placement on the stage. The 3rd Category rating came when it
was near the
beginning of a stage where its 1st Category rating came when it was
near
the end.
Flat or downhill sections can also affect a climb's rating. Such
sections
offer a rest to the weary and can reduce the difficulty of the climb
considerably. This may be one of the reasons that the aforementioned
Col de la Madeleine, which has a 1 mile downhill/flat section at mid-height,
flip-flops in its rating.
I am often asked how climbs in the United States compare to those in
Europe. Most of the US climbs are either steep enough by European
standards(6-8% grade), but are short(5-10km) so they fall into the
3rd Category or 2nd possibly; or the climbs gain enough altitude, but
are too long(they average <5%) so again they would fail to break
the 1st Category barrier and end up most likely a 2nd or 3rd Category.
Fear not, there are exceptions. Most notable to Californians is
the south side of Palomar Mountain which from Pauma Valley climbs
4200' in 11 miles, a potential 1st Category ascent, though it may
fall prey to downgrading because of the flat section at mile four.
The east side of Towne Pass in Death Valley is definitely a 1st
Category climb!
A popular Northern California climb, Mount Hamilton, is similar to
Palomar Mountain but, fails to be a 1st Category climb because of two
offending downhill section on the ascent and an overall gradient of
5%.
For Coloradoans, you can thank the ski industry for creating long,
but relatively gradual climbs that rarely exceed 5% for any substantial
length(5+ miles). I never had to use anything bigger than a 42x23
on any climb in Colorado, regardless of altitude. Gear ratios
of
39x24 or 26 are commonplace in the Alps and Pyrenees and give a very
telling indication as to the difficulty of European climbs.
One potential 1st Category climb for Coloradoans may be the 4000 ft.
climb in about 15 miles from Ouray to the top of Red Mountain Pass.
Also, remember we are rating only paved(i.e. asphalt) roads. Dirt
roads
vary considerably in their layout, condition and maintenance because
there
really are no guidelines for their construction. This makes it
difficult
to compare these climbs and inappropriate to lump them with paved roads.
Also, it should be noted that there is not a single uniform rating scheme
for all the races on the UCI calendar. What one race might call
a 1st
Category climb, may be called a 2nd Category climb, even though the
stages
of the two races are almost identical.
One last note. I think it is inappropriate to compare the ascents
of
climbs by the European pros with the efforts of us mere mortals.
I have said this time and time again and I will repeat it now.
It
is very, very hard for the average person to comprehend just how
fast the pros climb the big passes. Pace makes all the difference.
Riding a climb is very different than racing it.
Bruce Hildenbrand
bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com
------------------------------
Subject: 5.4 How to follow the Tour de France
From: Tom James <tomjames@chem1.usc.edu>
A question was recently posted to r.b.r concerning ways to follow the
Tour de France. Here are a few comments about my own trips to France
over
the last five years, which may be of relevance to people who want to
watch the race and have access to either a bike or a car.
I've seen the Tour every year since 1991, always in the Alps or the
Pyrenees. In addition, I've watched the Paris Stage in 1993/5, and
the
British stages in 1994, so all in all, I've a fair amount of experience.
In 1991 and 1992 I watched as part of longer cycle tours in the Alps,
stopping off to watch in the course of a ride from one place to another
(in 1991 in the Arly Gorge, and in 1992 on the Galibier). On both
occasions, the combination of my own abilities (only averaging ca.
60
miles/day) and the Tour's itinery meant that seeing the race more than
once was not really feasible.
In 1993, 93 and 95 we (myself + 3 friends) organised things differently.
Basically, we took a car with the bikes on the roof and camped in the
vicinity of the tour. It was then normally possible to see two days
of
racing (ie, somewhere near the end one day and near the beginning the
next) before moving on to a new campsite perhaps 100 or 150 miles away
to get another couple of days in. For example, in 1994, in addition
to
the Brighton and Portsmouth stages, we also saw the tour on l'Alpe
d'Huez; on the Col de la Colombiere; on the Col de Joux Vert (2km from
the finish of the Avoriaz time trial) and at the stage start in Morzine.
Now some general notes. If you elect to see the Tour as we did by car
and
bike, be prepared for some long days with a lot of climbing. Bear in
mind
also that after the voiture balai has passed, it can still sometimes
take
almost as long to descend a mountain as to get up, due to the large
number of pedestrians, cars, other cyclists etc also trying to get
down.
This problem is compounded at mountain top finishes, because firstly
the
field is spread over a long time (maybe 3/4hr from first to last rider)
and secondly because after the stage, all the Tour vehicles and riders
generally also come back down to the valley. For example, when we watched
on Alpe d'Huez, it was nearly 5.00pm before we got down to Bourg d'Oisans
and we then had a 40 mile ride with 1300m of climbing back over the
Lautaret to get to where we were camping in Briancon
Secondly, aim to get to the foot of any mountain you want to watch on
at
least 2 hours in advance. Even then, you might find some policemen
want
you to get off and walk. The attentiveness of policemen to this detail
varies widely. For example, in Bourg d'Oisans, one policemen wanted
us to
walk, even though we were 2km from the foot of Alpe d'Huez; then 100m
further on a second gendarme told us more or less to stop mucking around,
if we had bikes then why weren't we riding them! Similarly, one Gendarme
in 1995 gave an absolute flat refusal to let us even start on the climb
of the Madeleine (admittedly we were quite late, and the first 8km
are
very very narrow) whereas on the Colombiere, I rode up in the middle
of
the caravane publicitaire. (NB this latter trick has oodles of street
cred as a) about 50 million people cheer your every pedal stroke, b)
the
caravan showers you with freebies and c) you can beg chocolate from
the
Poulain van and pretend you're a domestique sent back to the team car
to
pick up extra food - and let's face it, being even a domestique is
way
above what 99.9% of the readers of rbr can aspire too!) If you travel
by
car and then hope to walk up, the roads get blocked even before they
are
completely closed - for example, in 1995 we ran into a terrible traffic
jam south of Grenoble on the day of the Alpe d'Huez stage whilst we
were
heading south, though fortunately we avoided it by going via Sisteron
rather than Gap, as had been the initial plan.
Thirdly, come prepared for all weathers and with plenty of food and
water. Both TT's I've been to (outskirts of Paris in 1993, and Avoriaz
in
1994) took over 5 hours to pass, and even a run of the mill mountain
stage may take 2 hours from first vehicle in the publicity caravan
to the
"Fin de Course" vehicle. The weather can change markedly - for example,
at Avoriaz, we started the day in hot sunshine with girls sunbathing
in
bikinis, and finished in freezing rain. So make sure you have some
warm
clothing, even on an apparently hot day; plenty of water and plenty
of
food. Remember, once in place , you can't easily nip off to the local
shop!
All of the above was written from the point of view of watching in the
mountains. I guess flat stages are easier as there are more small roads
around, and the crowds are not so concentrated at certain key points.
For
Paris, it's best to travel into the centre by RER/RATP and then walk;
you
may need to wait several hours if you want a place on the barriers
on the
Champs Elysees, but at the Jardin des Tuileries end of the circuit,
the
pressure is not so bad.
Finally, is it worth it? Yes! OK, you only get a fleeting glimpse of
the
riders, but it is all the incidentals that make it fun - spinning yarns
with Thierry on the Galibier; riding up the Colombiere in the publicity
caravan; being at the exact point on l'Alpe d'Huez where Roberto Conti
made his winning attack (and hence being on Television); seeing Zulle
ride effortlessly near the top of the Colombiere, 5 minutes up on
everyone else; getting a grin from "Stevo" on l'Alpe d'Huez when a
bunch
of Ockers I was with shouted "hello Aussie!" as he rode past; and many
many more in similar vein. Go! - you'll have a lot of fun!
------------------------------
Subject: 5.5 Tour de France Time Limits
From: Bruce Hildenbrand <bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com>
Below is an explanation of the time limits that are imposed on the riders
for each stage of the Tour de France. If a rider does not finish
within
the prescribed time limit, then, barring extraordinary circumstances,
they
are not allowed to start the next day's stage and are eliminated from
the
Tour de France(TIOOYK). There is no time limit on for the prologue.
This
information comes from the 1990 edition of the racer's bible, it may
be a bit out of date, but you get the general idea.
Each stage of the Tour falls into one of six categories:
1) flat stage
2) rolling stage
3) mountain stage
4) individual time trial
5) team time trial
6) short stage
The "short stage" category is used for stages that are short on distance
by Tour standards(<80 miles) and usually flat or rolling hills.
The important thing to note is that faster the overall average speed
of the winner, the greater the percentage of the winning time.
For flat stages the scale goes from:
5% for less than a 34km/h
average
6% for a 34-35km/h average
7% for a 36-37km/h average
8% for a 38-39km/h average
9% for a 40-41km/h average
10% for a 42-43km/h average
11% for a 44-45km/h average
12% for a 46km/h average
or greater
For rolling stages the scale goes from:
6% for less than a 31km/h
average
7% for a 31km/h average
8% for a 32km/h average
9% for a 33km/h average
10% for a 34km/h average
11% for a 35km/h average
12% for a 36km/h average
13% for a 37km/h average
or greater
For mountain stages the scale goes from:
6% for less than a 26km/h
average
7% for a 26km/h average
8% for a 27km/h average
9% for a 28km/h average
10% for a 29km/h average
11% for a 30km/h average
12% for a 31km/h average
13% for a 32km/h average
14% for a 33km/h average
15% for a 34km/h average
16% for a 35km/h average
or greater
The individual time trial 4 has a single cut-off and that is 25% of
the
winner's time.
For the team time trial the scale goes from:
13% for less than a 42km/h
average
14% for a 42km/h average
15% for a 43km/h average
16% for a 44km/h average
17% for a 45km/h average
18% for a 46km/h average
19% for a 47km/h average
20% for a 48km/h average
or greater
For short stages the scale goes from:
10% for less than a 34km/h
average
11% for a 34-35km/h average
12% for a 36-37km/h average
13% for a 38-39km/h average
14% for a 40-41km/h average
15% for a 42-43km/h average
16% for a 44-45km/h average
17% for a 46km/h average
or greater
Bruce Hildenbrand
bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com
------------------------------
Subject: 5.6 Tour de France Points Jersey Competition
From: Bruce Hildenbrand <bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com>
The green ("points") jersey is awarded from points accumulated from
finishing places and intermediate sprints. Riders receive points
for
all stage finishes based on the type of stage.
Each stage of the Tour falls into one of four categories:
1) flat stage
2) rolling stage
3) mountain stage
4) individual time trial or prologue
From the 1990 racer's bible:
Flat stages: 25 places: 35, 30, 26, 24, 22, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15,
14, 13,
12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Rolling stages: 20 places: 25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10,
9, 8,
7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Mountain stages: 15 places: 20, 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Individual Time Trial and Prologue: 10 places: 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Intermediate Sprints: 3 places: 6, 4, 2
Bruce Hildenbrand
bruce.hildenbrand@eng.sun.com
------------------------------
Subject: 5.7 Bicycle Racing Movies
From: Michael Frank <mfrank@geedunk.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 22:12:33 -0500
THE OBVIOUS ONES
BREAKING AWAY
Local cyclist in a small town (townie's aka 'cutters), lives, eats,
and
breathes cycling and everything else Italian, comes of age in a race
against college kids. Based on Dave Blaze, and his experiences
at Indiana
University and the Little 500. Lots of trivia in this one, look
for a
current USCF board member, a current regional USCF coach, some former
Olympians,
One story I had heard was that one of the plot inspirations for the
race
scene in Breaking Away was Wayne Stetina. Wayne made the 1972 Olympic
team
at the age of 18. According to the story, after riding in Montreal
he
enrolled at IU, joined a frat, entered the Little 500 as part of his
frat's
team, rode the entire race himself and won. Just like the Cutter's
plan for
Dave Stohler in the movie.
I think the term "Cutters" referred to the principle industry of the
community, which was large (building) stone quarying, or "cutting".
The
race was sponsored by a local university and there was a strong "us
against
them" mind set between the University team and the non university or
cutter
team. The whole movie was loosely based on fact. The race
does in fact
still occur. It's still the cutters against the college crowd,
and I saw
it on TV about a year ago on ESPN2. Can't for the life of me
remember the
name of the university.
Does anybody if this actually happened?
I've heard basically the same story, and I do know that Wayne (and also
Dale, I believe) went to IU and was on a frat team that won the Little
500.
However, whether he did it singly-handedly I don't know.
I *can* tell you for a fact that if you were a decent cyclist and were
interested in attending IU, fraternities were willing to pay for your
room,
board, and tuition. After the Stetina's domination, however, the rules
of
the Little 500 were changed to limit it to only Cat 3 riders (there
were no
Cat 4 or Cat 5 categories back then). A friendly rival of mine (Bill
Brissman) from Indy moved from Junior to Cat 3 (instead of Junior to
Cat 2
like I did) just so he could pick up this "scholarship". He had
to be
careful about when and where he raced, so that he didn't draw too much
attention and get bumped up to Cat 2 against his wishes. As soon as
he
graduated, he moved up to Cat 2.
The IU alum and USCF racer who did the riding "stunts" for Dennis
Christopher (the actor who played the protagonist) is now a woman.
No need
to mention his/her name.
AMERICAN FLYER
2 brothers, one, a former National caliber rider (Kevin Costner), and
his
enthusiastic 'newbee' brother, take an adventure to the 'Hell of the
West'
(aka Coors Classic) stage race. Lots of good 'Coors Classic'
footage in
this one, even Eddy Merckx makes an appearance.
QUICKSILVER
Trials and tribulations in the tough world of bicycle messengers in
New
York City. Stars Kevin Bacon, and Nelson Vails.
THE LESS OBVIOUS ONES
LITTLE MISS MARKER
A depression era bookie (Walter Matthau) gets stuck with a little girl,
left as an IOU (marker). Only about 5 minutes of 6-day racing
in this one.
The track is a portable one, built by the same builder as the portable
Atlanta Olympic Velodrome.
JOEY BROWN, 6 DAY RACER
A 1940's Bike messenger wins the Big 6-day race. A hard to find
BW film
from the 40's. Lots of 6-day footage, starring era comedian,
Joey Brown.
THE BICYCLE THIEF
A family in Post war Italy struggle to make a living, taking their
life
savings to buy the Husband/Father a bicycle for work, only to have
the bike
stolen. Often shown at art festivals, or 'Study of film' classes.
This
film is by one of those famous 'Fellini' -types . No racing,
but lots of
old bikes, and definitely a different lifestyle, where the bike is
King.
Italian with Subtitles.
EVEN LESS OBVIOUS ONES
HUGO'S MAGIC PUMP
Hugo is the winningest 6 day racer in Italy, beating everyone, incuding
the
Mafia's 'Fixed' riders. To stop losing gambling monies, the Mafia decides
to wear Hugo down by throwing beautiful women at him, hoping to reduce
his
endurance and stamina. This Adult movie from the late 70's was
'Competive
Cycling' magazines choice for best cycling footage in the era before
'Breaking Away'... Dubbed.
THE YELLOW JERSEY
A PBS Documentary from the Early 70's, showing the trials of the American
team at a stage race in Canada.
BREAKING AWAY, the TV Series Shawn Cassady plays the role of Dave Stoller,
bike racer, in the TV series, based on the movie of the same name.
This
one is tough to find, as it only lasted one season in the early 80's.
Don't forget "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" whose opening scene is Pee Wee
Herman dreaming about winning the Tour de France.
Wasn't there a movie (french) called the Maillot Jaune? I do remember
some
talk a few years past and even some speculation about a remake starring
Dustin Hoffman
Another movie filmed in New York City in the 80s was Called "Key Exchange"
with Dany Aeillo and one of the actors from "Breaking Away"
UN AFFAIRE D'HOMMES (F)
(there seems to be no dubbed version of this one - you could translate
the
title to "a men's affair", maybe?)
Starring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Claude Brasseur
Story
JL-T is an architect and joins a bicycle racing group where also a
detective (C.B) is member. he uses this friendship to cover, that he
mudered his wife. Film includes several scenes of the group's weekly
race
(which also plays a part in the murderers alibi), and even the final
confrontation is not done using guns, but bikes.
On a far tangent anyone ever see the Euro 'Vanished' (I think there
was a
poor attempt at an American version with Jeff Bridges)? There was a
reference in the bizarre dialogue about Joop Zotemelk (sp?) and bicycle
racing. Never figured out what it had to do with the rest of this
disturbing film.
Neither do I, except maybe that the Dutch couple in the French/Dutch
movie
"The Vanishing" was on bicycle vaccation in France when the wife was
abducted?
THE YELLOW JERSEY
A PBS Documentary from the Early 70's, showing the trials of the American
team at a stage race in Canada.
BREAKING AWAY, the TV Series Shawn Cassady plays the role of Dave Stoller,
bike racer, in the TV series, based on the movie of the same name.
This
one is tough to find, as it only lasted one season in the early 80's.
One great movie to watch is "A Sunday In Hell 1976 Paris-Roubaix" available
from World Cycling Productions. Not one of their regular videos,
but a
real movie about pro racing.
Yeah.. great flick, but if I remember correctly, isn't that the one
with
the endless "PAREY RABO.. PAREY RABO..." chant in the background that
goes
on forever?
Of course this one is slightly disappointing after you hear all of the
build up. Another one, Stars and Water Carriers is a better movie with
much
better scenes of Eddy (The Cannibal) Merckx and how he won so much.The
film
shows the strain on Eddy's face and clearly shows how much effort he
put
into his racing. This is a Danish documentary with added english sound
track so it sounds a bit funny, but it takes my vote for best cycling
video
to date.
John Forrest Tomlinson wrote
There was also "Key Exchange," though it might be better termed "mid-80s".
I was in it ;-)
So was Nelson "The Chettah" Vails, (a.k.a., the fastest cat in the jungle).
He races the cabbie in the opening scene.
Nope ... that scene is from Quicksilver ... Kevin Bacon is the passenger
in
cab... and the star of the movie.
>From what I understand, he did a lot of his own stunts ... the boy
could
ride.
My favorite scene was when KB was racing one of the other messengers,
and
COASTED down one of the major S.F. hills on his fixed gear without
brakes
... that and the freewheeling noises whenever he was riding his fixie.
That and when Nelson shifts *from* a 14 *to* a 28 to race the cab.
Speaking of.... Doesn't Dave Stoller drop into his little ring to motorpace
the semi at the beginning of Breaking Away?