Cold (Wicklow) Mountain

John Pierce Photosport International 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1736858731777381&set=a.417935973669670

txt by  Chris Sidles

A woolly hat, a Peugeot jersey and a friendly hand on a young cyclist’s cap; Stephen Roche catches up with the next generation in the Wicklow Mountains. Believed to date from the winter of 1983, this photograph finds him between an important breakthrough and a difficult departure.

That summer, Roche had finished his first Tour de France in 13th place. Third in the final time trial at Dijon, he also received a lesson from Jacques Anquetil. Before the start, Anquetil had spotted him chatting to his wife’s grandmother, who lived locally. Afterwards, the five-time Tour winner explained that Roche had surrendered time before turning a pedal; family conversations could wait, preparing for a time trial required complete concentration.

Roche heeded that advice the rest of his career, but his lack of a Tour stage victory brought a more immediate advantage. With fewer invitations to the lucrative criteriums, he could prepare properly for September’s World Championships at Altenrhein, Switzerland.

Sean Kelly had the opposite problem. Much sought after for criteriums and track events; he went to Switzerland tired from racing and travelling. Even so, he helped his Irish teammate on the demanding circuit, where Roche took bronze behind Greg LeMond and Adrie van der Poel.

That medal strengthened Roche’s hand at the negotiating table. He’d agreed in principle to remain with Peugeot, but the team would not meet his financial expectations. La Redoute would, offering both the money and the opportunity to lead. Roche joined them for 1984.

Leaving Peugeot, however, proved more complicated than changing jerseys. A contractual dispute dragged through subsequent seasons, its consequences following him to Carrera. Even during his triumphant 1987 Tour de France, Peugeot’s name appeared on the team’s shorts.

In this photo those arguments seem far away. There is simply a champion out riding at home, sharing a moment with a youngster who has a story to tell when he gets back; the day Stephen Roche came alongside on a cold road through Wicklow.