Riders in suits: the strange fashions of the Tour de France route presentation
Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish, Romain Bardet and others put their smartest clothes on for the Tour de France route presentation
Whenever you see a cyclist wearing anything other than lycra or a team issue tracksuit it always looks a bit odd.
With the rise in social media we get to see behind the scenes of riders' lives, but rarely do we get to see them dress up smart. A few events in the cycling calendar give riders the chance to don their best rags - although some of them take fashion to the limit.
Peter Sagan rocked up to the Giro d'Italia presentation in jeans and t-shirt before arriving at the UCI Gala in Abu Dhabi in a leather jacket.
The styles seen at the Tour de France route presentation were also pretty varied with most people proving that bike riders don't look good in suits.
Chris Froome
Froomey pulled out his favourite suit again, despite the jacket being about two sizes too big. His shirt and tie combo, as Felix Lowe points out, is very reminiscent of that of a guest at a wedding.
In a short video played at the route presentation, Froome could be seen wearing browny/green leather jacket which was equally questionable. Luckily he's pretty decent when in lycra that it doesn't really matter what he wears off the bike.
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish also opted for the suit and tie combo, but pulled it off much better. His jacket was a snug fit and the tie had a bit of character, even though it's the kind of tie you'd see on a city slicker.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Romain Bardet
Famous for their fashion, the French were represented by a couple of young riders. One of whom, Romain Bardet, went all out and matched a patterned shirt with a bow-tie in an interesting look.
It's the kind of ensemble a young lad would wear to a school prom to try and stand out, and young Romain did just that.
Thibaut Pinot
It's a shame that Thibaut Pinot couldn't follow his countryman Bardet's lead, opting for the open collar - and it was absolutely wide open.
The two-tone collar was so big it spilled over the collar of his jacket and looked a little scruffy. 'The bigger the better' seems to be Pinot's sartorial motto, with his oversized belt and buckle topping off the outfit.
Daniel Teklehaimanot
I think Daniel Teklehaimanot used his time in Paris to go out on a date, given what he turned up wearing. A blue jacket with a fuscia shirt? He definitely looks better in the Tour's polka dot jersey...
Tony Martin
Tony Martin rocked a classic look - grey suit, white shirt and perfectly preened hair. A role model for off-the-bike cycling fashion followers. We'd expect nothing less from a former policeman.
Greg Van Avermaet and Marcel Sieberg
Greg Van Avermaet and Marcel Sieberg get lumped together because they both missed the cloakroom near the entrance and accidentally wore their scarves into the auditorium.
I think Greg's might be a fashion statement, but Sieberg's looks as if it was designed to keep him warm, although at 6ft 6ins I guess he's a bit cold up there.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
'I'd love to be an F1 driver': Get to know GB track sprinter Emma Finucane
World sprint champion tells Cycling Weekly about her earliest Olympics memories, drinking coffee in Jakarta, and her passion for F1
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I felt like I was the worst rider in the bunch' - Simon Carr dispels doubt with longest ever solo win at Tour of the Alps
Brit triumphs from lone 45km breakaway, after days of battling allergies
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs as illness continues to affect schedule
Cavendish will ride Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye later this month, Astana Qazaqstan confirms
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Astana go all in on Cavendish in his final season, but will the confidence pay off?
The Kazakh team have bet big on the 38-year-old sprinter. Both they and Cavendish need 2024 to work
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish wins his first race in final season after perfect leadout in Tour Colombia
The Briton fended off the challenge of home rider Fernando Gaviria on stage four of the Tour Colombia
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish forced to settle for third in 2024 season opener in Colombia
Astana Qazaqstan rider says Tour Colombia stage one result ‘best debut race for a few years’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish seeking aerobic gains at altitude before focusing on high intensity work ahead of new season
Astana head coach Vasilis Anastopoulos: ‘Cavendish is currently doing lots of hours in the saddle and only short sessions of more intensive work’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Altitude training is essential in order to stay at the top of modern cycling
British sprinter will start 2024 season at Tour Colombia in February and will also include two altitude camps in plan
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish reveals details of first race in 2024
Astana Qazaqstan rider will line up at the Tour Colombia after altitude camp in country
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published