Expected. How it should be. Symbolic. Deserved. Destined.” Seeing Marianne Vos in the iconic Tour de France yellow jersey in July stirred emotions in the entire women’s peloton, past and present.
First there was Vos herself. Just after the finish line of stage two in Provins where she claimed it, Vos collapsed into the arms of her always-present family. Sitting on the hay bales that served as roadside barriers, Henk and Conny Vos, who have travelled the world to support their superstar daughter weekend after weekend for the past 29 years, wrapped a spent Vos into their arms and let the tears flow freely.
“Every win is special, but this is a uniquely special jersey. It was a beautiful moment, a dream. So much has been written about this jersey and this event, and then to have this as the end result, it is a dream,” Henk Vos told Cycling Weekly.
On the podium minutes later, Marianne Vos fought back tears again as she waited to receive the yellow jersey. The fans cheered and pounded on the billboards. Vos exhaled deeply with a shy smile, mouthing “merci, merci” to her onlookers.
As she entered the press conference she received a standing ovation from the world’s media – greatness trumping impartiality. Even her biggest rivals held nothing but respect and admiration for the moment.
This story is from the August 04, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
A Brompton for running riot in both town and country
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument
