Riders with style, class, souplesse

[red_flanders]

Let's see some photos and videos of rider who rode with beauty, class, panache, souplesse or whatever you want to call it. Riders who inspire or inspired you just watching them ride. I'll get it started with a little VdB.

From velominati:
Souplesse. Only the French would have such a word; one you can sink your teeth into, chew on. It begs to be spoken over a plate of assorted cheeses and a bottle of vin rouge. Its exact definition is unimportant; such things conjure up an image in our minds that is cheapened by words. Souplesse is the ideal, sought by all and obtained only by The Few.

Souplesse is the perfect storm of Looking Pro; harmony between grace and power, casual and deliberate. It speaks of the entire organism, the perfectly manicured machine together with the perfectly refined position and technique of its rider.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Vino

Not particulalry stylish, classy as ****, brute force, more panache in his little finger than the whole pro peloton of today combined, the killer instinct of a combination of a tiger, a lion and a cobra combined into a deadly super animal that was created by a doctor with the genious of Einstein and dreadfulness of Mengele. Had the perfect combination of sadism and masochism that made him love to inflict pain on his adversaries and himself for hour upon hour until everyone but him cracked.

 

[Afrank]

Riders who inspire me and with panache huh?...without a doubt the number one goes to...

Fiorenzo Magni! The definition of panache, fight, and never give in.

Also got to throw out a mention to my favorite cyclist in the current pro peloton. Lo Squalo dello stretto.

Good thread RF!

Edit: and also what Vino said above, good post!

 

[SeriousSam]

Christopher Froome:

Another rider with a very distinctive style. Not as classically elegant as the likes of VdB but cuts a very streamlined appearance on the bike that perhaps best expresses the modern aesthetic principle 'form follows function' in today's peloton. In the era of last kilometer sprinting, Froome's attacking mentality and willingness to commit from far out is refreshing. A rider with panache.

 

[cineteq]

Lack of respect to the OP from some members leads to: "Post you favorite rider here"

 

[Jspear]

The Great One. No reason needs to be given for including him in this thread.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Christopher Froome:

Another rider with a very distinctive style. Not as classically elegant as the likes of VdB but cuts a very streamlined appearance on the bike that perhaps best expresses the modern aesthetic principle 'form follows function' in today's peloton. In the era of last kilometer sprinting, Froome's attacking mentality and willingness to commit from far out is refreshing. A rider with panache.

Is the purpose of the thread to post riders with a distinctive, nonethelss terrible style or elegant style? If it's the first parameter, I think this guy needs a mention too:

 

[Netserk]

You want souplesse?

Most beautiful style on a bike in recent years (especially when climbing with his hands on the bars), Klöden! _O_

 

[classicomano]

My personal hero's: Bauke Escartin. Nothing says style, class and souplesse like these 2 well oiled ballerina's.

 

[Carols]

If you want panache look no further than the magnificent Il Pirata!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/gallery-marco-pantani-through-the-lens/292306

 

[MBotero]

My hero:

 

[LittleJo]

Claudio Chiappucci. He won KoM the first year I started watching cycling, and I just remember loving watching him just constantly attacking. He's one of the reasons I got in to cycling.

I can't work out how to get images to embed so a link will have to do.

http://cycling-passion.com/2012/10/21/cima-coppi/claudio-chiappucci-2/

 

[RedheadDane]

Is the purpose of the thread to post riders with a distinctive, nonethelss terrible style or elegant style? If it's the first parameter, I think this guy needs a mention too:

What's wrong with Chris' style?
He doesn't normally ride around covered in blood...

 

[BeagRigh]

If you want panache look no further than the magnificent Il Pirata!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/gallery-marco-pantani-through-the-lens/292306

 

[Angliru]

You want souplesse?

Most beautiful style on a bike in recent years (especially when climbing with his hands on the bars), Klöden! _O_

After seeing the post above yours, my eyes were trained on Mancebo and not Kloden!

 

[red_flanders]

Great stuff folks! Keep it coming. This is one of my 3 fave cycling images. Melly and LeMond? Come on:

 

[red_flanders]

You want souplesse?

Most beautiful style on a bike in recent years (especially when climbing with his hands on the bars), Klöden! _O_

Great call. Never would have come up with Klöden, but...absolutely.

 

[ILovecycling]

Always calm and smooth.

 

[ILovecycling]

Always calm and smooth no.2

 

[LaFlorecita]

Claudio Chiappucci. He won KoM the first year I started watching cycling, and I just remember loving watching him just constantly attacking. He's one of the reasons I got in to cycling.

I can't work out how to get images to embed so a link will have to do.

http://cycling-passion.com/2012/10/21/cima-coppi/claudio-chiappucci-2/

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Maybe not everyone will agree with this, but I love watching Purito do his thing.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Maybe not everyone will agree with this, but I love watching Purito do his thing.

I was honestly about to post that!

 

[l.Harm]

Pippo always looks good on the bike.

Lulu TT'ing in his champion suit one of my favourites.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

I was honestly about to post that!

Great minds think alike.

 

[Netserk]

Great minds think alike.

The only people who think alike are those who don't think at all