Newly-crowned double British champion Steve Cummings has asked his Twitter followers whether he should opt for controversial white shorts to match his national champion’s jersey, or go for a more subtle black option.
It may seem a trivial question on the back of a dominant show of force by Cummings in the time trial and road race championships on the Isle of Man – but it is one that always stirs up heated debate among cycling fans.
The 36-year-old Dimension Data rider posted a poll on Twitter on Sunday, asking his followers to vote for the colour of his shorts in the forthcoming season, simply saying ‘So?’ and with two possible answers.
So?
— Steve Cummings (@StevoCummings) June 25, 2017
Critics of white shorts brand them impractical and too flash; whereas black shorts are the more traditional option, not showing the grime of bike racing but perceived as a bit staid.
At time of writing, Cummings’ poll had attracted well over 9,000 votes, with a convincing 84 per cent saying he should go for black.
>>> Steve Cummings: ‘That was the worst race I have ever done in my life’
Previous British national champion Adam Blythe was not so sure. Blythe opted for an all-white kit for his year in the national champ’s colours and gave his opinion to Cummings in a Twitter reply: first saying “ALL WHITE Stevo!” and then “Does a bear s**t in the woods? Obvious answer.”
💪🏽👍🏼👌🏻 ALL WHITE stevo! https://t.co/T1NQSJehJ7
— Adam Blythe (@AdamBlythe89) June 22, 2017
Cummings’ double win was a remarkable one – it was his return to racing after fracturing his collarbone, sternum and scapula at the Tour of the Basque Country in April.
It’s the first time that a male rider has taken both titles since David Millar in 2007.
Although the result clearly signals that the enforced lay-off has done little to diminish his fitness and racing style, Cummings is waiting to see whether he gets a call-up for this year’s Tour de France (July 1-23).
Last year, Cummings won stage seven of the Tour after a trademark solo attack to Lac de Payolle.
There is perhaps a more controversial question that has yet to be addressed by Cummings with respect to his new national champs’ outfit: should he go for white or black socks?
