Showing posts with label Tour de France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tour de France. Show all posts

01 July 2016

Prizes of the 2016 Tour de France

PRIZES TO THE WINNERS

A total of €2,295,850 million euros will be awarded at the 2016 Tour de France. That is almost €650 for every mile ridden in the race. Every year fans want to know, "How much do they make for winning the Tour de France?" Prize money can be quite good, especially for the rider who retains the yellow jersey for many stages in a row and wins the overall race. A rider such as Chris Froome, who has the potential to win the overall race (€500,000), win 1 mountain stage (€11,000) and perhaps stay in the yellow jersey for 8 out of the 21 stages (€4000), has the potential to win approximately €515,000.

Current World Champion Peter Sagan is said to be looking for 4-6 million, per year, for his next team contract.

Team Sky earned a total of €556,630 ($619,139) during the 2015 Tour de France; the vast majority of that sum earned by Chris Froome who won both the yellow and the polka-dot jersey. In contrast, the sixty team members of the Denver Broncos each earned a $102,000 (€91,734) bonus for winning the 2016 Super Bowl ($6,120,000 combined), and Wimbledon awarded £1,888,000 ($2,575,798) to the two (male and female) winners.

The Tour de France remains the most lucrative professional bike race on the calendar, not only for the amount earned at the race but for the potential of later team sponsorships and individual promotions. Each team splits the earnings from the Tour de France, offering each of the nine team members a split, plus the mechanics, soigneurs and bus drivers.

Every rider who participates in the Tour de France receives a money prize. The cash reward drops steeply from the 1st place rider but every rider from 20th place on, including the last placed rider (lanterne rouge) will receive €1000 for participating in the 2016 Tour de France.

New for 2016, the Most Aggressive jersey award will take into consideration the growing impact of Social Media. One vote on the panel of "cycling experts" will be considered from the fans voting for the most deserving rider on the stage.

Winners / Classifications / Leaders


Classification Jerseys of the Tour de France, jerseys provided by Le Coq Sportif:

- Yellow: General classification.
- Green: Points classification.
- Red and white polka dots: Mountains classification.
- White: Youth classification.
- Yellow dossard: Best Team classification
- Red dossard: Most Aggressive rider from the stage


Prizes for Yellow Jersey - Tour de France

Yellow Jersey prize for the Tour de France: The yellow jersey (overall leader, le leader du classement général au temps, Le Maillot Jaune) will win €500,000 at the end of the tour, but an additional €552,000 will be awarded throughout the three-week stage race to total €1,002,000 for the total yellow jersey prize purse alone. Every day a rider wears the yellow jersey they receive a monetary award. Yes it is tradition that the yellow jersey winner divides his final €450.000 among his eight teammates. The overall yellow jersey winner also receives a trophy black bowl) on the podium during the final presentation in Paris. The yellow jersey is sponsored by LLC (financial services).

Yellow jersey prizes for the final podium of the Tour de France 2016:
1st - €500,000
2nd - €200,000
3rd - €100,000

Prize money for a single day in the yellow jersey will be €500 in 2016.

The winner of the yellow jersey in 2015 was Chris Froome.

Many of us recognize the coiled Giro d'Italia trophy but how many of us have paid attention the to Tour de France trophy bowl? It is actually quite nice looking close up.
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Prize for Green Jersey - Tour de France

Green Jersey prize for the Tour de France: The green jersey (points winner, classement par points, Le maillot vert) will win €25,000 at the end of the tour, but an additional €103,000 will be awarded throughout the three-week stage race to total €128,000 for the total green jersey prize purse. The green jersey is sponsored by Skoda (cars).

Sprint jersey prizes on the final podium of the Tour de France 2016:
1st - €25,000
2nd - €15,000
3rd - €10,000

Every day a rider wears the green jersey they receive a monetary award. Prize money for a single day in the green jersey will be €300 at the 2016 Tour de France.

Prize money is also awarded daily at each intermediate sprint marker, the winner gets €1,500, second place €1,000 and third place €500.

The green jersey in 2015 was won by Peter Sagan (for the fourth year in a row!).

Prize for Polka-dot Jersey - Tour de France

Polka-dot Jersey prize for the Tour de France: The polka- dot jersey (mountain / classement de la montagne, Le maillot à pois) will win €25,000 at the end of the tour, but an additional €103,000 will be awarded throughout the three-week stage race to total €128,000 for the total polka-dot jersey prize purse. The polka-dot jersey is sponsored by Carrefour (market).

Mountain jersey prizes on the final podium of the Tour de France 2016:
1st - €25,000
2nd - €15,000
3rd - €10,000

Every day a rider wears the mountain jersey they receive a monetary award. Prize money for a single day in the polka-dot jersey will be €300 at the 2016 Tour de France.

Special climbing bonus awards given during the 2016 Tour de France:

Three different €5,000 bonus awards will be paid out to the first rider to the top of three designated climbs. The first rider during Stage 8 to reach the Souvenir Jacques Goddet on Col du Tourmalet will win €5,000. During Stage 10 the highest point of the race will be reached on Port d’Envalira (2,408m) and the first rider to the top will earn the Souvenir Henri Desgrange award of €5,000. The final Prix Bernard Hinault will be awarded to the fastest rider on Stage 18 during the short 2.5km Cote de Domancy climb included in the individual time trial, earning the final €5,000 bonus of le tour.

The best climber in 2015 was Chris Froome.

Prize for White Jersey - Tour de France

White Jersey prize for the Tour de France: The white jersey (mountain / Le maillot blanc) will win €25,000 at the end of the tour, but an additional €40,000 will be awarded throughout the three-week stage race to total €65,000 for the total white jersey prize purse. The white jersey is sponsored by Krys (optical).

Best Young Rider jersey prizes on the final podium of the Tour de France 2016:
1st - €20,000
2nd - €15,000
3rd - €10,000

Every day a rider wears the white jersey they receive a monetary award. Prize money for a single day in the white jersey will be €300 at the 2016 Tour de France.

The best young rider in 2015 was Nairo Quintana.


More Awards

Prize for Best Team - Tour de France

Best Team prize for the Tour de France: The best team (Le classement par équipes) will win €50,000 at the end of the tour, but an additional €128,000 will be awarded throughout the three-week stage race to total €178,000 for the total best team prize purse. Every day a team remains at the top of the leader board for the best team they receive a monetary award. The best team is sponsored by RAGT Semences (grains).

Best Team prizes on the final podium of the Tour de France 2016:
1st - €50,000
2nd - €30,000
3rd - €20,000
4th - €12,000
5th - €5,000

Every day a team earns or remains at the top of the best team ranking they receive a monetary award. Prize money for a single day as the best team will be €2800 at the 2016 Tour de France.

The top team in 2015 was Movistar.


Prize for Most Aggressive - Tour de France

Most Aggressive prize for the Tour de France: The rider who demonstrates braveness, an attacking spirit and fair play during the stage (Le Prix de la combativité) will win a daily prize from a total purse of €56,000, with the final super-combative rider chosen on the final stage earning €20,000 at the end of the tour. Every day a different most combative rider is chosen after the stage. The prize is sponsored by Antargaz (gasoline) and symbolized by a red dossard (bib number).

Starting in 2016, fans will have the opportunity to vote through Social Media for their choice for Most Aggressive rider (Twitter: @LeTour #TDF2016 and Facebook: facebook.com/letour ). Fans' vote will count as 1 vote on a jury together with former riders, American Greg Le Mond and Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, plus two journalists and Tour de France race director Thierry Gouvenou. Should the voting end in a tie, Gouvenou will have the deciding say.

Super-Combative Rider prizes on the final podium of the Tour de France 2016: Final award - €20,000

Every day a rider is awarded the most combative award they receive a monetary award. Prize money for a single day in the red dossard will be €2000 at the 2016 Tour de France.

Romain Bardet won the final super-combative award in 2015.

Prize for Stage wins - Tour de France

The winner of each stage is awarded a prize of €11,000. Second place on the stage wins €5,500 and third place €2,800. Prize money is awarded down to 20th place on each stage, with 20th place earning €300. The youngest rider (under age 25) with the highest placing on each day's stage also earns an additional €500 for the day.

Stage win prizes for each stage podium of the Tour de France:
1st - €11,000
2nd - €5,500
3rd - €2,800

André Greipel won the most stage wins, four different stage wins, during the 2015 Tour de France. Chris Froome won only 1 stage.

Prize for every rider in the Tour de France

Every rider who participates in the Tour de France is guaranteed at least €1000 for participation plus they are each awarded a medal; given to the riders prior to the start of the race.

Time bonuses in the Tour de France

Time bonuses are awarded at the end of every mass-start stage (i.e. no time bonuses on offer in individual and team time trials). The first three riders get 10, 6 and 4 seconds, respectively.

Prize money in case of Disqualification

With regard to prizes, the results of a positive anti-doping control test are as follows: • any competitor declared positive following a given stage shall forego all earnings obtained during this stage. • any competitor disqualified from the race shall forego all earnings and prizes acquired from the day of the control test in question.


RULES OF THE RACE

Powerbar sponsors the stage wins
Stage Victory

Stage victories: The 21 stage victories will be been sponsored by Powerbar. Stage victories are simply the fist man over the line, or the man with the fastest time on the stage (individual time trials).

Classifications, Sponsors, and the rules

Riders must finish the Tour de France in order to appear in the best classification ranking.

LCL sponsors the yellow jersey
Yellow Jersey

Will be awarded daily, worn by the leader of the general individual time classification. The general individual time ranking is established by adding together the times achieved by each rider in the 21 stages including time penalties. In the event of a tie in the general ranking, the hundredth of a second recorded by the timekeepers during the individual time trial stages will be included in the total times in order to decide the overall winner. The Yellow Jersey has been sponsored by LCL since 1987.

Skoda sponsors the green jersey
Green Jersey

Will be awarded daily, worn by the leader of the points classification. There is only one intermediate sprint on each stage, with number of points tied to difficulty. The one intermediate sprint marker is now (as of 2011) worth more points for the leading riders. Together with points earned at the final stage finish line, all points are tallied daily to determine the overall "Points Leader" or green jersey wearer. The Green Jersey has been sponsored by Skoda since 2015.

The individual points ranking is obtained by adding together the points recorded in the individual rankings for each stage, according to the following tables, and taking into account penalty points: •for the stages with no particular difficulty (art. 22-coeff. 1): 50-30-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-7-6-5- 4-3 and 2 points for the first 15 riders to finish; •for the “medium mountain” in-line stages (art. 22-coeff. 2 and 3): 30, 25,22,19,17, 15,13,11,9,7,6,5,4,3 and 2 points for the first 15 riders to finish; •for the very difficult stages (art. 22-coeff. 3 and 4 and 5): 20,17,15,13,11,10,9,8,7, 6,5,4,3,2,1 points for the first 15 riders to finish. In the event of a dead heat in a stage finish, the riders are credited with the number of points they would receive, divided by the number of riders concerned. These points are then rounded up to the nearest ½ point: •for the individual time trial stage (art.22-coeff. 6 and 7): 20,17,15,13,11,10,9,8,7,6, 5,4,3,2,1 points to the first 15 riders to finish; •for each intermediate sprint, the first 15 riders to finish will receive 20,17,15,13,11,10,9, 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 points respectively. The points are won on the intermediate sprints and at the stage.

Time bonuses in the Tour de France: Time bonuses are awarded at the end of every mass-start stage (i.e. no time bonuses on offer in individual and team time trials). The first three riders get 10, 6 and 4 seconds, respectively.

Carrefour sponsors the Polka-dot jersey
Red Polka Dot Jersey

Will be awarded daily, worn by the best climber. Points for the best climber classification are awarded at the top of any classified slope (not all climbs are classified). The prize money is doubled on the stage finishes that will take place at the summit of climbs. The general best climber ranking is established by adding together the points obtained on all passes and hills, according to the following tables: • “Highest level” passes: 25, 20, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 points respectively for first 10 riders to finish; • category 1 passes: 10,8,6,4,2,1 points respectively to the first 6 riders to finish ; • category 2 passes: 5,3,2,1 points respectively to the first 4 riders to finish; • category 3 passes or hills : 2, 1 points, respectively to the first 2 riders to finish; • category 4 passes: 1 point to the first rider to finish. Points awarded are doubled for finishing on the 9th, 12th, 17th and 19th stages. In the event of a tie between two riders in the general best climber ranking, the rider with the most first places at highest level pass summits is declared the winner. The Polka Dot Jersey is sponsored by Carrefour.


Krys sponsors the white jersey
White Jersey

Will be awarded daily, worn by the best young rider aged 25 years old or less (born since 1st January 1991) in the general individual time classification. The White jersey has been sponsored by Krys since 2015.

Antargaz sponsors the best team award
Best Team classification

This classification is determined by adding the times of the best three riders on each team after each stage. If there is a tie between teams in stage rankings, the three best places achieved in that stage by each team are added together. In case of a further tie, the teams are decided by the placing of their best rider in the stage. Any team reduced to fewer than three riders will be disqualified from the general team ranking. The current best team can wear yellow helmets during the following stage. The team classification is sponsored by RAGT Semences.

RAGT sponsors the most aggressive award
Most Aggressive

This is a subjective but inspiring award.  This prize is awarded daily with one super-combative award given on the final stage in Paris.

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Read more of your questions answered at: Facts about the Tour de France on TourChaser.com

Please visit the brand new website by Pedal Dancer, with much more information about the Tour de France: TourChaser.com

24 July 2015

All things Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez - yes you can

There are two types of cyclists on Alpe d'Huez: the ones who need to do it fast, and the ones who just need to do it. Whether you are a pro or a bucket-lister - nobody wants to embarrass themselves, everyone wants to make it to the top, and certainly everyone can (at their own speed). This short 8.6 mile climb will make you feel like a King of the Mountain.

Five things you need to know about Alpe d' Huez
  1. It is totally doable
  2. It is short
  3. It will either hurt a lot, or you didn't ride it fast enough
  4. It ends
  5. You get to go downhill after
Whether you are a racer, cyclist, spectator or driver ascending the famous 21-hairpin bends of this iconic (yes I used the word) mountain, you will experience why there truly is no other place, or climb, on earth like Alpe d'Huez.

The facts
  • Start: Le Bourg-d'Oisans in the Romanche valley
  • Road to top: D211 (love those D roads!)
  • Length: 13.2 km (8.6 glorious miles)
  • Average grade: 8.1 %; Maximum grade: 13 %
  • Height start: 744 m; Height top: 1815 m
  • Ascent: 1071m (3,749 elevation gain) 
  • Who else uses the mountain: skiers, mountain bikers, skateboarders, hikers, botanists

The location

Huez, Rhône-Alpes, France

Alpe d'Huez climbs the side
Alpe d'Huez climbs the side of this enormous ancient glacier gulley in the center of the photo above. You can see the 21 switchbacks to the left of the gulley. This dramatic photo is from Steephill.TV
Restaurants, hotels, markets, bike shops and outside patios located in Le Bourg-d'Oisans at the base of the climb. Outdoor activities, outdoor patios, and some hotels open in summer, up in the villages at top. 

The history

Romans mined here for silver, copper, zinc and coal thousands of years ago on the high pasture slopes. Electricity, roads, and the first cable car were built later for modern day silver and coal miners. Skiers discovered the slopes in 1911. The ski village atop opened in 1936. Trees were cut and avalanches became more common, in 1950 the miner's dormitory was destroyed by an avalanche and 12 men were killed; the mines were closed shortly after. The valley has quite an involved history during WWII, recovering quickly to become a fashionable vacation spot post-war.

The Tour de France
 
Make it Lucky #29: the number of times the Tour de France has included this climb since 1952.

Come join the over one million people capable of loading onto this hillside during the next Tour day on July 25, 2015. Colorful, costumed spectators come days in advance in white camper vans and tents; parading upward the day of the race to fill every nook and cranny. Various flags fly and foreign accents overheard from countries around the world - all to seewhose name will next be added to a signpost on one of the 21 hairpin bends and forever enter history as a stage winner on Alpe d'Huez. 

In 1979 the climb was included in two different stages of the same Tour. The 2001 and 2004 titles have been vacated (striped). In 2004 there was an individual time trial up the mountain. In 2013 the climb was included twice in the same stage. The first climb up Alpe d'Huez in the Tour de France was won by Fausto Coppi in 1952.

Alpe d'Huez in 1986 when Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault grabbed hands over the finish line.
One of the most famous cycling photographs was captured on Alpe d'Huez in 1986 when Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault grabbed hands over the finish line.
The corners

They are rightly called "hairpin bends;" must use both words to describe the steep switchbacks. The most striking thing about the majority of the hairpin bends, is that the corners are relatively flat-ish and the ramps are not flat at all - they indeed ramp up so steeply, to a cyclist, it feels as if your handlebars are suddenly thrust toward your face. The corners make the climb exhilarating, the changing views and signposts entertaining. All this is good because right when you think you've finished a set of bends, the next set suddenly appear before you, then the next. 8.6 miles never felt so long. 

The 21 numbered hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez
The 21 numbered hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez
The signs

When you see signpost #1, start celebrating - you have climbed Alpe d'Huez!

List of Signs on the bends of Alpe d'Huez:   Pedal Dancer®
Bend # 21 - (1) Fausto Coppi, and (22) Lance Asmstrong (located at the bottom)
Bend # 20 - (2) Joop Zoetemelk, and (23) Iban Mayo
Bend # 19 - (3) Hennie Kuiper, and (24) Lance Armstrong
Bend # 18 - (4) Hennie Kuiper, and (25) Frank Schleck
Bend # 17 - (5) Joaquin Agostinho, and (26) Carlos Sastre
Bend # 16 - (6) Joop Zoetemelk, (27) Pierre Rolland
Bend # 15 - (7) Peter Winnen, and (28) Christophe Riblon
Bend # 14 - (8) Bret Breu, and (29) Thibaut Pinot !
Bend # 13 - (9) Peter Winnen
Bend # 12 - (10) Luis Herrera
Bend # 11 - (11) Bernard Henault
Bend # 10 - (12) Federico Echave
Bend # 9 - (13) Steven Rooks
Bend # 8 - (14) Gert-Jan Theunisse
Bend # 7 - (15) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 6 - (16) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 5 - (17) Andrew Hampsten
Bend # 4 - (18) Roberto Conti
Bend # 3 - (19) Marco Pantani
Bend # 2 - (20) Marco Pantani
Bend # 1 - (21) Guiseppe Guerini (located at the top)
Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 of 21 signs on Alpe d'Huez
Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 of 21 signs on Alpe d'Huez.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer® I must have been continuing to ride my bike past the sign, because that sure is blurry!
The orange corner

Corner #7 is famously called The Dutch Corner Orange clad spectators by the thousands clammer, stammer and hammer in this corner for all things Dutch. Dutch corner has been going strong (and gaining) since the 60s. Video: Alpe d'Huez's Dutch Corner, By Bicycling with Frankie Andreau, and also Tour De France 2013 - Alpe D'Huez - With The Fans At Dutch Corner, By GCN. Across from the orange madness, sits a church.

The church

Any cyclist who has climbed Alpe d'Huez knows that the site of this chapel means you are nearing the top of the climb. It is a landmark well remembered. The name of the picturesque chapel is Church of Sainte Anne and is located in Huez Village at 1450m. The church still offers services on the first Saturday of every month in the early evening. The church also organizes a special Saint Anne's Feast Day in July. The festival is organized by Huizats (the inhabitants of Huez, that's true) to honor the patron Saint of Huez. The festival includes painting stained glass, trout fishing, a meal in the countryside, a ball, a traditional costume parade, a boot fair, and a mass.

Church of Sainte Anne - the church on Alpe d'Huez.
Church of Sainte Anne - the church on Alpe d'Huez. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer®
The top

Look at all the buildings on top of this green hill
The top section of Alpe d'Huez.
The top section of Alpe d'Huez. Photo from NBC Sports
The profile


Map showing locations of sign, gradient,and mileage

The climbs

The traditional approach is directly up the front side.

Looking down the climb to the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisan
Looking down the climb to the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisans below.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer®

Col de Sarenne is an optional small road down the back side (south side). The two roads adjoin at signpost #4. If climbing up, stay left for the traditional climb to the top, stay right for the road to the back way off the mountain, which winds along a small rough balcony road with dark tunnels and more climbing.

The climb up Col de Sarenne
The climb up Col de Sarenne
The record

1st: 37' 35" Marco Pantani

Coppi had a time of 45m 22s in 1952
Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault each had times of 48m 0s in 1986
Laurent Fignon 41m 50s in 1989
Miguel Induráin 39m 28s in 1995
Sammy Sanchez had a time of 41m 21s in 2011
Nairo Quintana 39m 50s in 2013

STRAVA Records and Alpe d'Huez tdf - where the pros meet the amateurs

Strava Segment - Fastest times on Alpe'd'Huez
The time card

You may officially record your time up Alpe d'Huez the old fashioned way - by purchasing a card from the Le Bourg-d'Oisans Tourisme Office in town, at the base of the climb, and punching your card in the machine near the #1 signpost at the top. The old cards are a fun souvenir.

Location of Office de Tourisme. This way through the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez
Location of Office de Tourisme. This way through the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez, or follow the signs.

La Marmotte

Starting annually in Bourg D’Oisans, the famous amateur sportive of La Marmotte climbs the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, and Col du Galibier, before finishing up Alpe D’Huez. All in one day!
In July, 170 km and 5100 m height gain, 7500 participants, more information.

The approach

Nearest airport: Grenoble, 90 minutes (105km).
Nearest rail station: Grenoble
Bus line: AlpeHuezNet Buses
Lifts: 9 lifts open throughout the summer and a shuttle bus to the Auris resort
Drive time from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to the top: 30 minutes
Summer Lift Passes to Alpe d'Huez: AlpeHuezNet


The photo

Two cyclists in a large landscape: me and my brother Mike.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer®
My report

I have been very fortunate to have climbed Alpe d'Huez twice, the first time in 2003 during a stage of the Tour de France, and again in 2007 on a non-Tour day (ride report). Both were enjoyable but quite different. A Tour day on the climb is a mad-house, with space allowed for the riders to pass reduced to mere centimeters. A non-tour day allows for time to read the signs, take pictures and enjoy a cool drink at a cafe at the top.

Starting in Le Bourg-d'Oisans, the first two turns are a long steep and intimidating at 13%, but the grade lessons to 8%. Don't become discouraged at the bottom, it gets better. Descending is fabulous fun. Most striking is that the corners are flat and the straights are jarringly steep. This is the opposite of mountain road construction in the United States. It is a thrilling climb. Unless you are racing it for an official time, why rush.
HOW TO: So you want to climb Alpe d'Huez? - Fly or train to Grenoble (Geneva is the largest airport nearby, I prefer the smaller convenient Lyon Airport). Stay: near Le Bourg-d'Oisans. Climb: Alpe d'Huez, Col de Sarenne, Les Duex Alpes, Col d'Ornon, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Madelaine, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret, Col du Telegraphe, and cycle through the Vercours.

Other ride reports and videos

Stage 20 Tour de France 2015

For more information about Alpe d'Huez in the 2015 tour de France, please see the Stage Preview at the bottom of this post: Stage 19 TDF: Haven't we seen this before? & Stage 20 Preview.
 
And here it is - my favorite Laurens Ten Dam video of all time - on Alpe d'Huez in 2011:


Read more 2015 Tour de France Coverage by Pedal Dancer® 

21 July 2015

How to put on a helmet by Peter Sagan

He lights up the peloton with speed and style

He is Peter Sagan, the legend. You think he can race a bike, wait until you see the style in which he puts on a bike helmet.

Peter Sagan helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
The one and only Peter Sagan. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
Today we learn from Peter on how to put on a bike helmet.  
All photos by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

1. First make sure all your hair will fit under the helmet. That's a lot of hair!

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

 2. Begin to work on that unruly mane of hair. View helmet to make sure it will all fit.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

 3. Spend time to make sure your hair is just right before placing the helmet on your head.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

4. Verify with others that hair is looking great.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

5. Blush at compliment.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

6.  Place helmet carefully upon cherished head.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

7. Adjust helmet to fit modest ego atop incredible talent. Wear forward for optimal aerodynamics.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

8. With glasses still in mouth, place helmet straps around ears that hear only praise and cheers.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

9. Take care to place straps over perfectly trimmed facial hair.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

10. Securely clip helmet, as Peter has done over 5,000 times.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

11. And pow, that is how it is done folks. Thanks for coming to this demonstration.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

12. Oops, quality check for that loose curl.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

13. Don't leave yet folks, it gets better, he has not put on his glasses yet.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

14. Glasses - the pièce de résistance!

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

15. Next, make sure helmet and glasses will not fall off your head by checking if tires are round. 

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
16. You are ready to roll to the start line past iphone photogs and swooning podium girls.

Peter Sagan hair helmet Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

17. Always get a last minute equipment check from a respected pro. Mark Cavendish is usually handy.

Peter Sagan Mark Cavendish Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

18. Time to look cool at the start line. Best to intimidate others by having a helmet that perfectly matches the team kit (National Champion team kit is recommended). Tip: neon colors are preferred.

Peter Sagan Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

19. Immediately after a stage, while international cameras are 4-feet away, it is recommended to keep helmet and glasses on.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

20. Unless you collapse in utter exhaustion, at which point try to remove glasses and helmet before passing out.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

21. Helmet is not needed during times writhing with pain and agony after the stage.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

22. Or when dry heaving after a really tough climb.

Peter Sagan exhausted Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

23. Helmets are super cool for time trials. Although you must make this face if wearing an TT helmet.

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

24. This is how it is done!

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

25. Speed and style, by Peter Sagan.

Peter Sagan Time Trial Pedal legs Dancer Photography
©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®

These photos were taken in May in California. You can imagine how much fun it was to be there, at the Tour of California, to see Peter race (and win yellow!). If you see his name on a roster for any race - go! You know he looks amazing on TV, in person he is AWESOME.

Lesson #2 on how to put on a cycling helmet by Glocal Cycling Network

GCN tells us how to truly fit a bicycle helmet in this video:  
How To Fit & Adjust A Cycle Helmet



Who wore it better?

Peter Sagan?
Peter Sagan Pedal Dancer Photography
Add caption
Or Simon Richardson of GCN?
Simon Richardson GCN Pedal Dancer Photography