Favorite pro-cycling quotes of the week: the British, a Greek, and a Belgian with long hair

The British in transition

One UK cycling legend prepares to retire while the only English rider to ever win the Tour de France prepares for the Giro d’Italia by racing the Giro del Trentino this week.

Six-time Olympic gold medalist and holder of eleven world titles, track star Sir Chris Hoy is expected to announce his retirement this week. A story from The Telegraph reflected on Hoy’s career.

“What will linger in the memory especially is not so much his lightning turn of speed, as the sense of inexorability, of inevitability, that he brought to the wooden boards. If you were competing against Sir Chris Hoy, you would lose – it was as simple as that.”

Reporters questioned the favorites, including Brad Wiggins of Sky, at the pre-race Giro del Trentino press conference. Wiggins indicated he wasn’t feeling up to par due to an unexplained “condition.”

A VeloNews story ended with the following:

“Before Wiggins left the room he made one thing clear: ‘Sky’s goal is to win this race. Whether that happens or not is another thing. I’d have a fantastic TV show if I could predict the future, but unfortunately I can’t.’”

A Greek in Roubaix

It’s been a season of firsts for Ioannis Tamouridis. When he joined Euskaltel Euskadi this year he became the first Greek rider ever on a Pro Tour team. He just completed his first Paris-Roubaix. Whenever he speaks, it’s clear he’s grateful for every minute on his bike.

“Roubaix is one of the races that every cyclist dream to race, it’s like one day race Tour de France. It’s the most difficult, demanding and exhausting race on the calendar and everyone want to come to the end. I was deeply touched when I passed the first pave and I almost was crying when I entered the velodrome. It was one of my best moments in my career.” – Ioannis Tamouridis, exactly as reported on Euskaltel Euskadi’s website.

A Belgian with long hair

Alex Rasmussen (Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda) references a slow motion video replay during the Amstel Gold Ardennes classic race. Teammate Johan Vansummeren’s hair escapes helmet boundaries.