Unlucky 13

The inverted race number is one of cycling’s quirkiest traditions

- Kevin Raymond

Cyclists can be a superstitious bunch. Pre-race rituals abound in the peloton. From putting socks on in a particular order, to wearing a special bit of kit, to always sending off a prayer for (or a text to) a loved one, there are plenty of riders whose mental state depends on perfectly performing that one task every race-day morning.

There’s one ritual, however, that affects just one rider in virtually every single race worldwide — whoever gets allocated dossard No. 13 will almost certainly turn it upside down to avoid bad luck.