Expected. How it should be. Symbolic. Deserved. Destined.” Seeing Marianne Vos in the iconic Tour de France yellow jersey in July stirred emotions in the entire women’s peloton, past and present.
First there was Vos herself. Just after the finish line of stage two in Provins where she claimed it, Vos collapsed into the arms of her always-present family. Sitting on the hay bales that served as roadside barriers, Henk and Conny Vos, who have travelled the world to support their superstar daughter weekend after weekend for the past 29 years, wrapped a spent Vos into their arms and let the tears flow freely.
“Every win is special, but this is a uniquely special jersey. It was a beautiful moment, a dream. So much has been written about this jersey and this event, and then to have this as the end result, it is a dream,” Henk Vos told Cycling Weekly.
On the podium minutes later, Marianne Vos fought back tears again as she waited to receive the yellow jersey. The fans cheered and pounded on the billboards. Vos exhaled deeply with a shy smile, mouthing “merci, merci” to her onlookers.
As she entered the press conference she received a standing ovation from the world’s media – greatness trumping impartiality. Even her biggest rivals held nothing but respect and admiration for the moment.
This story is from the August 04, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JACOB TIPPER Adventures in Rio
Last week, I was at the Para-cycling Track World champs in Rio, working with a stalwart of the para-cycling scene and former minister of sport for Romania, Eduárd Novak. His first cycling Paralympics was Athens.
Paris Galibier
Eccentric but iconic English bike that’s still in production today
REDEFINING EASY
It’s well known that easy riding is the bedrock of endurance, but what exactly do we mean by ‘easy’? Charlie Allenby seeks clarification
Are all road bikes all-road bikes?
Is the bike industry trying to sell you the same bike twice?
KEEPING IT TEIDE
High altitudes, year-round sunshine – and intense demand from pro teams.
10 YEARS OF THE TRANS CONTINENTAL
The brainchild of British rider Mike Hall, the Transcontinental Race has become a must-do event for ultra-distance aficionados the world over. James Shrubsall charts its unconventional and epic rise to prominence
GB track team in form ahead of Paris 2024
Para-squad picks up record 32 medals at Rio Track Worlds, reports Tom Davidson
Pogačar: "I'm in the best shape ever"
Slovenian flexes his climbing legs in Catalunya, reports Chris Marshall-Bell in Barcelona
SD Worx-Protime take winning form to Flanders
Will strength in depth deliver the team to their third successive Ronde van Vlaanderen?
Can anyone stop WVA and MVDP at Flanders?
Cycling’s longstanding rivals will battle once again on Sunday. Can they be beaten?