The shadow of the peloton is bright yellow. It emerges through the dust of another dry Paris-Roubaix; it glints in the sunshine of the Côte d’Azur at Paris-Nice, and fords through the crowds lining another torturous Tour de France mountain pass.
Mavic’s neutral service cars have become so ubiquitous at cycling’s biggest races, so tightly woven into the sport’s fabric, that to imagine it without them feels a little like trying to summon up the unnatural. And yet it is distinctly possible this will soon be the case.
The French giant’s famous service course has rescued countless champions, winners, and domestiques from certain doom over the last 40 years, but right now it is in dire need of help as it finds itself in a financial hole from which there may be no escape.
Just last month, the French courts put Mavic into receivership and under its supervision. Bernard Hinault – one of those to have benefited from Mavic’s service – is part of a group trying to help the company. Those close to attempts to save the company know there is a mountain to climb and, like the pros it helped on the roadside, it’s now or never if it’s to get back in the race.
But how did this happen? How did it go from a small family-owned business in the 19th century to global dominance to now knocking on the door of destitution? And is there any hope for the future?
Multiple innovations
Mavic’s signature yellow may make it a perfect fit for the Tour, but it has been around a lot longer than the association between the two. The first record of it is in 1923, but the company, now based in Annecy in the French Alps, dates back further to 1889 when two companies were brought together by their president, Henry Gormand.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 02, 2020-Ausgabe von CYCLING WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 02, 2020-Ausgabe von CYCLING WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike