Frank Vandenbroucke

[the sceptic]

sad but fascinating character. I liked this article.

will never forget those epic stages.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-iconic-stages-vandenbroucke-and-the-99-race

 

[the delgados]

sad but fascinating character. I liked this article.

will never forget those epic stages.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-iconic-stages-vandenbroucke-and-the-99-race

lends

This is a fantastic photo. VDB's all like, "Yeah, I'm going for a stroll to the corner store to get some milk." Jan's right behind him, wondering why he has to breathe out of his mouth. Guy behind him is wondering what all the fuss is about. He was topped up, but he's hurting and about to be dropped. Guy behind him already has the wound on his leg to prove his drugs didn't work. He had to give it his all just to get back to the break and realize he was done.

 

[nevada]

Those were the days.

 

[thehog]

Probably had the best position on a bike I've ever seen. Phenomenal talent. And Probably best pedalling action I've ever seen as well. Just so fluid.

Bruyneel tells the story when frank was 13 and was hanging out with the worlds squad. Kept up on all the climbs during their training run over the course.

"Frank was the biggest talent I've ever seen," he began.

"Talent alone is not enough, though. He was already young when he started to derail. As a 19-year-old neo pro he cancelled his contract with Lotto. It was an omen of his character: I do what I want to do. That was Vandenbroucke's problem: he didn't listen to anybody," says Bruyneel.

"The first time I saw Frank, he made a huge impression. It was in 1989 and we were riding on the course of the world championships in Chambery. Frank rode along - his father Jean-Jacques was mechanic of the federation and Frank had joined him; he wasn't even racing yet! We rode up the climb of the course and Claude Criquielion and Dirk De Wolf started to race against each other.

"When we reached the top nobody felt like talking, but who was still on our wheel? That's right! The little Frank VDB... At just 13 years old!"

And Bruyneel admitted it wasn't his place to get Vandenbroucke back on track. "I couldn't have helped him: Frank didn't want to be saved. Anyway, I was too busy with someone else: Lance Armstrong. Lance was extreme, but Frank was even more extreme," he explained.

 

[No_Balls]

Vuelta -99. Young men in their late 20'ies and at the pinnacle of their careers.

Two of five in this picture are dead.

Makes you think.

 

[The Hitch]

Vuelta -99. Young men in their late 20'ies and at the pinnacle of their careers.

Two of five in this picture are dead.

Makes you think.

As far as Chava goes, it reminds me of this tribute to him from Vuelta presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XUqUeLfHgg

Great song for the vid.

 

[roundabout]

sad but fascinating character. I liked this article.

will never forget those epic stages.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-iconic-stages-vandenbroucke-and-the-99-race

The original "horse steroid" rider.

 

[Benotti69]

VDB so good he had to take huge amounts of dope.

Dont see anything admirable in VDB as an athlete, he looked good on a bike, should've become a model for cycling companies...............

 

[hrotha]

He had to take huge amounts of dope because he was a successful rider in the mid to late 90s.

The thing about not being able to say how talented someone from that era was cuts both ways.

 

[thehog]

He had to take huge amounts of dope because he was a successful rider in the mid to late 90s.

The thing about not being able to say how talented someone from that era was cuts both ways.

Correct. Drugs doesn't give you a riding position like this. Kids, watch and learn. If you can be flexible enough to hold this position for 5 hours then you'll be a winner.

 

[Benotti69]

He had to take huge amounts of dope because he was a successful rider in the mid to late 90s.

The thing about not being able to say how talented someone from that era was cuts both ways.

Feel free to elevate him. I wont.

 

[jens_attacks]

rest in peace dirty frankie.

he snorts cocaine with the angels now

 

[aarnold517]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pG7c2wWSGI

^still my favorite VDB moment, he literally rode on the front the entire time, dropping rider after rider, until finally he just increased the pace so much he dropped everyone

 

[Tonton]

No question he was talented. But when he came out with the 'Belgium next big hope' label, I thought: how will he handle the pressure? The last one wearing the label, Fons De Wolf, couldn't handle it. I was a big fan of the Fons. Pretty soon after VDB broke out, the stories began, turned into a soap opera, then a tragedy. What a waste. Never was a fan, never will be.

 

[Oldman]

No question he was talented. But when he came out with the 'Belgium next big hope' label, I thought: how will he handle the pressure? The last one wearing the label, Fons De Wolf, couldn't handle it. I was a big fan of the Fons. Pretty soon after VDB broke out, the stories began, turned into a soap opera, then a tragedy. What a waste. Never was a fan, never will be.

He fell into the "too good to be true" category early. I think Bruyneel could have been implicating that a well-managed rider with his talent and quality "program" would be more discreet.
But this was the era of Argentin and multiple teammates sweeping the podium so that model was out the window.
Tom Boonen must have a similar resemblance for Johan. He got on their program and then became too big to wait on Lance.