In case you missed the billboards, TV adverts and general consumer frenzy, this past Tuesday was Valentine’s Day. It’s a time for celebrating love and recognising those dearest to you - mostly through exchanging heart-shaped tat - and the cycling world dived into it headfirst.
It makes sense, really. Professional cycling teams are intrinsically bound to their sponsors. The relationships may be commercial at their core, but they’re married with love, passion and a joint ambition for success.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, then, when earlier this week, Team DSM’s Charlotte Kool penned a gushy love letter to her Scott Foil RC aero bike - the same one that carried her to two sprint victories at the UAE Tour Women.
“Dear Scott,” the Dutchwoman wrote. “I’m addicted to you. I will never tire of you. Through the ups and the downs, my heart is chained to yours, and nothing can foil our love.”
Who knew the sprinter was as quick with word play as she is on the bike?
Let's hope there's more romantic prose to come, a series of love letters addressed to a different cycling item. Keep an eye out for future works, including Ode to the Chamois and I Love You, Clipless Shoe.
Elsewhere on social media this week, Alex Dowsett pulled on a special new jersey, Josie Knight lost a hand and Soudal Quick-Step’s Ilan van Wilder joined the premature celebration club.
1. Shall I compare thee, my road bike, to a summer's day?
2. Long sleeves in the desert is a brave idea, but a necessary one when you leave your skinsuit at the hotel
3. There was a flying Dutchman at the European Track Championships
4. Josie Knight added to her medal tally, but sadly lost a hand in the process
5. Ever wondered which biblical figure Mark Cavendish would be? The answer, it turns out, is Elijah
6. That smile. That damned smile
7. Jumbo-Visma Women went the whole hug with their Valentine's Day post
8. Introducing the leader of the romance classification...
9. There's a club for everything these days, including one for those who have celebrated second across the line
