Re: [CR]Tour De France message to the CR list!!!

(Example: History)

To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 20:46:19 -0400
Subject: Re: [CR]Tour De France message to the CR list!!!
From: "Steven m Johnson" <grisha2@juno.com>


cgallegro@charter.net writes: > Hi Gang, Anyone complied a list of the winners of the TDF and
> what bikes
> they rode( not what they were Labeled). I am sure it would explain a
> lot of
> bikes, especially older( pre 1960's) ones we may not know as well.
> What stars rode what frames. Thanks in advance

Frank Berto and his co-authors did this in "The Dancing Chain" for each era that they cover.

The book being about the development of the derailleur, and the TDF not allowing the them until 1937, with the winner Roger Lapeble of France using a Super Champion derailleur (pg.99). Bartalli in 1938 with a Vittoria Mahgherita, and Sylevere Maes of Belgium using a Super Champion.

The book picks up the the winners again in 1946 ( after WWII, chaper 6, pg 141) listing the winner, bike and derailleur. Interesting that when they list Eddy Merckx they have "Kessels" in parens under the bikes labeled with his name. I guess in 1973, when Ocana won, Eddy was second. That was the year the dog ran out in front of him and he broke his jaw finishing second with his jaw wired shut? Can anyone name the book with the photo montage of Eddy in a locker room after the spectator punched him in the back?

Both my Huret Allvit (1959-81?) and Campagnolo Velox (1971-5, with the undersized parallelogram) made the book.

Looks like before WWII, not much is known about the bikes except what Chuck can see in the old photos with a magnifying glass.

Steven M. Johnson, Chesapeake, VA

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