Images of the Day: Directeur Sportifs

Directeur Sportifs and their Riders

I realized I have a collection of Directeur Sportif pictures from over the years. I thought I would share a few. Now that I am becoming more familiar with the "management" of the pro teams, I'll have to intentionally capture more of these coach and player moments in the future. (All photos by PedalDancer.com/SyS)

Some of these men are in a current battle for power with the UCI (boo hiss to the UCI). A history of the battle: Six years of the battle for cycling power CyclingNews.com By: Pierre Carrey Published: March 23, 2011

Bob Stapleton and George Hincapie together at the Tour of California 2009

Bob Stapleton at the 2010 Tour de France in Salies-de-Bearn

Bobby Julich at the 2010 Tour of California in Los Angeles

Bobby Julich and Andy Schleck at the Tour of California 2009 in Solvang

Johan Bruyneel in Palmdale at the Tour of Califoria in 2010

Johan Bruyneel with his RadioShack team on the Champs Elysees, Tour de France 2010

Johan Bruyneel and Levi Leipheimer at the Tour of California 2010 in Westlake Village

Dirk Demol and Philippe Gilbert at the 2008 Tour de France

Jonathan Vaughters with his team at the Tour of California 2010 Westlake Village

Read more: Johan Bruyneel speaks out about his opinion of recent UCI actions on his blog: Het Laatste Nieuws Interview (in English and Flemish). 

And can I just say I really like Johan Bruyneel's line of cycling tshirts, especially the long sleeve black women's shirt. (Although I am not so certain I would be open to a line of clothing by Jonathan Vaughters): the Johan Bruyneel collection.

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A Cycling Fan in training

Kenny's excellent adventures

My nephew Kenny took up road cycling 5 years ago when he became a triathlete. He is now a much better triathlete (a Pro), and a much better cyclist. Along the way he also became a fan of professional cycling. Learning the ropes from his Aunts (Aunt Suz, Aunt Me) and Uncles (Uncle Straw, Uncle Pete), Kenny has been having lots of fun. It has also taught him to be more open in speaking to fellow athletes and fans at his own competitions. I give you Kenny, the next generation:

and some other guys:

 

Mark Cavendish

 

Jens Voigt

Chris  McCormack - okay he deviated to a triathlete

Johan Bruyneel

 

David Zabriskie

Kenny is only beginning his career as a cycling fan, there will be much more to come ....

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The Tour Hag

My sister-in-law is a crazy fan of Professional Cycling

Over the years Suz has traveled to the Tour de France, Dauphine Libere, Giro d' Italia, Tour de Suisse, Tour of California, and probably a few others. She is the fan that knows all the tricks. She knows the names, the history, recognizes all the riders, knows how to jump the barriers, and somehow scores the schwag. Suz has the personality to make the riders laugh with her comments and friendliness. She is also not shy about getting her photo with the riders, which has resulted in some great Fan Pictures over the years.

In honor of my sister-in-law Suz, who is a Physical Therapist, and has helped me tremendously these past 3 weeks as I recover from a broken pelvis - I give you Suz:

and some other guys

 

George Hincapie

 

Christian Van de Velde

Chris Horner

 

Erik Zabel

 Mark Cavendish

 

Frank Schleck

 

Iñigo Landaluze 

with Mr And Mrs Landaluze on top of Mont Ventoux

 Fabian Cancellara

 Alberto Contador

"Johan honked" - Suz at the Tour of California in Santa Barbara 2009

Okay so she had some bad taste in cyclists over the past 10 years -

Floyd Landis

but she had a lot of fun!

Suz being a fan at the 2005 Tour de France on Plat d'Adet 

and being a TDF fan in Montpellier, France

Suz with Phil Ligget, Paul Sherwen and me at the Bulldog Coffee Shop in Solvang, CA in 2009

Suz gets a smile from Johan Bruyneel and Dirk

and she married a great guy, my brother Straw

Thanks Suz!
Suz is currently training our nephew Kenny to follow in her footsteps ... the next post will be a progress report on Kenny learning the ropes ..... it is worth waiting for

* Post post note: I forgot to mention, Kenny grew up calling Suz MOAS (Mean Old Aunt Suz), they have a special bond those two. 

Post post Tuesday, November 9, 2010  A Cycling Fan in training

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