Giro will Retire number 108

[Ramira]

It seems the Giro organisation has decided to permanently retire the number 108 in honour of Wouter Weylandt. I have to say I didn't quite expect it but I do like the decision personally.

 

[RedheadDane]

Me too.

Now I don't think many people would like to wear what has become "his" number and later on it will be a great way of remembering him.

So, does that mean that a team instead of being 101-109 will be 100-107 + 109. Putting in #100 instead of #108?

 

[Anonymous]

Me too.

Now I don't think many people would like to wear what has become "his" number and later on it will be a great way of remembering him.

So, does that mean that a team instead of being 101-109 will be 100-107 + 109. Putting in #100 instead of #108?

Either that or
101-107
109
110

But, 100 to 107 and then 109 would be a lot less confusing as team 111-119 would have a 110 prefix.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The Vuelta a Colombia often has 10-man teams and they run from 1-10. I think the organisers will trust the viewers to be able to tell a Leopard jersey from a Liquigas jersey when looking at who has a 110 prefix.

 

[thirteen]

The Vuelta a Colombia often has 10-man teams and they run from 1-10. I think the organisers will trust the viewers to be able to tell a Leopard jersey from a Liquigas jersey when looking at who has a 110 prefix.

i believe this is just for the Giro d'Italia (which has a nine man team), correct me if i'm wrong?

beautiful gesture, imo.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

i believe this is just for the Giro d'Italia (which has a nine man team), correct me if i'm wrong?

beautiful gesture, imo.

It is just for the Giro, but because there was discussion of whether they'd shift numbers down (100-107, 109) or up (101-107, 109-110), I thought it worth pointing out that in one of very few races where the "0 or 10" number is a factor, they shift up.

 

[hrotha]

It's a nice gesture, but I don't think I'd have gone for it. I mean, in cycling rider numbers are just numbers, they don't hold any particular significance as they change from one race to the next. The fans however have made extensive use of the number 108 in their homage to Weylandts, so I guess it's justified.

 

[thirteen]

It is just for the Giro, but because there was discussion of whether they'd shift numbers down (100-107, 109) or up (101-107, 109-110), I thought it worth pointing out that in one of very few races where the "0 or 10" number is a factor, they shift up.

my bad... you confused me by bringing up another race,.. past my bedtime, i guess. thank you for clarifying.

as a way of memorial, i prefer 100-107 and then 109. it makes the absence of 108 that much more stark.

 

[Anonymous]

The third option is just skipping 101-109 completely and save confusion

as a way of memorial, i prefer 101-107 and then 109. it makes the absence of 108 that much more stark.

But that is only 8 numbers.

The point is, will 108 be replaced by 100, or 110 (or the entire sequence removed).

IT wouldnt really be fair to make one team only enter 8 riders each year.

 

[Anonymous]

as a way of memorial, i prefer 101-107 and then 109. it makes the absence of 108 that much more stark.

But that is only 8 numbers.

The point is, will 108 be replaced by 100, or 110 (or the entire sequence removed).

IT wouldnt really be fair to make one team only enter 8 riders each year.

 

[thirteen]

It's a nice gesture, but I don't think I'd have gone for it. I mean, in cycling rider numbers are just numbers, they don't hold any particular significance as they change from one race to the next. The fans however have made extensive use of the number 108 in their homage to Weylandts, so I guess it's justified.

you even saw it along the road today and, i imagine, will throughout the race.

108 is taken.

 

[thirteen]

The third option is just skipping 101-109 completely and save confusion



But that is only 8 numbers.

The point is, will 108 be replaced by 100, or 110 (or the entire sequence removed).

IT wouldnt really be fair to make one team only enter 8 riders each year.

i told you it's past my bedtime

100-108 and 109.

(i'll correct my post and go to sleep)

 

[boomcie]

The third option is just skipping 101-109 completely and save confusion

That would also ruin the whole gesture. So that does not seem viable to me.

i told you it's past my bedtime

100-108 and 109.

(i'll correct my post and go to sleep)

Sleep tight thirteen.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It's a nice gesture, but I don't think I'd have gone for it. I mean, in cycling rider numbers are just numbers, they don't hold any particular significance as they change from one race to the next. The fans however have made extensive use of the number 108 in their homage to Weylandts, so I guess it's justified.

Gilles Villeneuve only raced in car #27 for a year and three races. But it is forever associated with him now. Wouter Weylandt was only rider #108 for three days. But it could easily form the same lasting connection. The fans have claimed 108 for Weylandt.

 

[boardhanger]

it was a good call by the officials. it had to be retired.

 

[Anonymous]

While im pleased to see the number retired in remembrance, I would like to see Stage 3 dedicated to him in the future, and if the number retiring is at the expense of any permanent tribute I think i would prefer the latter.

Dedicating stage 3 has a touch of remembrance about it, whereas retiring the number has a hint of "avoiding superstition" about it.

Pleased they have done it (although yet to see official confirmation), but would still hope that something is done regarding Stage 3 being a permanent memorial.

 

[ansimi]

While im pleased to see the number retired in remembrance, I would like to see Stage 3 dedicated to him in the future, and if the number retiring is at the expense of any permanent tribute I think i would prefer the latter.

Dedicating stage 3 has a touch of remembrance about it, whereas retiring the number has a hint of "avoiding superstition" about it.

Pleased they have done it (although yet to see official confirmation), but would still hope that something is done regarding Stage 3 being a permanent memorial.

I'm on board for the annual WW memorial stage 3. It would be a sprint stage and they could find some way to make it fun and respectful.

I guess fans really identified the number with him for this particular incident so it makes sense retiring it even though race numbers don't usually matter.

 

[boardhanger]

Like having a W.W award or something??

 

[pmcg76]

They have special awards named after riders for different things, isnt there an award for the first rider over the highest point of the Giro or at least there used to be, Cima Coppi I think it was.

I think many races have specials prizes like this so maybe stage 3 winners should receive a prize dedicated to the memory of Wouter.

 

[El Pistolero]

They have special awards named after riders for different things, isnt there an award for the first rider over the highest point of the Giro or at least there used to be, Cima Coppi I think it was.

I think many races have specials prizes like this so maybe stage 3 winners should receive a prize dedicated to the memory of Wouter.

Yes, obviously named after Fausto Coppi.

 

[pedaling squares]

A nice and fitting gesture.

I'm on board for the annual WW memorial stage 3. It would be a sprint stage and they could find some way to make it fun and respectful.

Not a bad idea, it would make for a great tribute. If Farrar was to win such a stage I'd be welling up all over again.

 

[Fus087]

Many Italian races have a "Memoriale" either in their name (most notable Memoriale Marco Pantani) or as a sort of secondary prize (some U23 race even has two Memoriali, I can't remember which one).

Therefore, the chances that the Giro will make stage 3 a "Memoriale Wouter Weylandt" are quite good, I think.

 

[benpounder]

It's a nice gesture, but I don't think I'd have gone for it. I mean, in cycling rider numbers are just numbers, they don't hold any particular significance as they change from one race to the next.

I agree. As I said in another thread, make stage 3 the memorial. After all, he won it. Call it the Wouter Weylandt "If you dont ride strong, I'll kick your ass" Memorial Stage.

 

[orbis_25]

It's a nice gesture, but I don't think I'd have gone for it. I mean, in cycling rider numbers are just numbers, they don't hold any particular significance as they change from one race to the next. The fans however have made extensive use of the number 108 in their homage to Weylandts, so I guess it's justified.

It's true that in most circumstances a rider's race number bears no lasting importance (apart from possibly number 1). This is a different situation, though. I can't recall any time before when a rider's number has been adopted by the larger cycling family like Wouter's has. Number 108 has transcended the boundaries of the Giro and has become Wouter's number. We all know what 108 refers to, what it means, and while that may only last until the next race, this recognition still elevates Woulter's number to a higher importance than your general race number. Retiring it is quite fitting, really. In other sports, numbers will be retired after they become associated with a certain individual. While Wouter had very little time with 108, that does little to change the fact that cycling has made it his.

I agree. As I said in another thread, make stage 3 the memorial. After all, he won it. Call it the Wouter Weylandt "If you dont ride strong, I'll kick your ass" Memorial Stage.

Nice. Zomegnan better keep the full name!

 

[Moncoutie]

It's true that in most circumstances a rider's race number bears no lasting importance (apart from possibly number 1). This is a different situation, though. I can't recall any time before when a rider's number has been adopted by the larger cycling family like Wouter's has. Number 108 has transcended the boundaries of the Giro and has become Wouter's number. We all know what 108 refers to, what it means, and while that may only last until the next race, this recognition still elevates Woulter's number to a higher importance than your general race number. Retiring it is quite fitting, really. In other sports, numbers will be retired after they become associated with a certain individual. While Wouter had very little time with 108, that does little to change the fact that cycling has made it his.

Agree with all of that. Its a nice gesture.