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