Beauty and Power: Pro Women at Emakumeen Bira
Dispatches from Bilbao, Spain where I am on a secret mission assignment for Peloton Magazine.
Legs
The women of the pro-tour are a force to behold. A peloton stacked with power and grace, realized in the form of hundreds of tiny, muscle-laden bodies. Together they move elegantly, camouflaging the leg-ripping at hand so that it almost seems easy. Except you’ve pre-ridden the stage so you know better.
We love and hate our bodies in alternating bursts and I’m sure these women are no exception but at the end of the day they are a study in perfection of the athletic form without compromising our habit of self-adornment. They care how they look when they are dying on the bike although ultimately it will be the strength of their character (and their shiny gams) that will make the difference. When I think of legs, I will forever think of these:
Fashion
Everyone wants to talk about sensible skorts or cute dresses that are perfect for riding city bikes, but I’m more taken with the slick and shimmer of the pros. Their punchy spandex bravado feels like runway fashion: out of reach but somehow aspirational. If we can translate even just a little of it into our daily training rides, we’re lucky. The Euro sensibility connotes a kind of unapologetic showmanship.
One look at the starting line reveals the pageantry of the sport. I once heard cycling kits referred to as costumes and the description is spot on. Colors heaped on colors with consideration for proportion, accessories and overall presentation. Among the trends in Durango at the Emakumeen Bira stage race today: purple and mint green bar tape to match team colors, tall dark socks with white shoes, custom kit-matching decals on deep-dish wheels, diamond earrings and Scandinavian fresh good looks.
Business
When the race starts, all the shiny shit is out the door and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg wants to win. I know because I sat next to her at dinner the night before. We talked about her inner castle (don’t ask) and the profiles of upcoming stages. Today’s stage is for the sprinters.
As the race approaches the finish, Spanish electronica blares from the speakers and locals come out onto their balconies to watch the show. The lead caravan cars roll across the line delivering officials, media and photographers.We strain over the barriers to see who will come flying under the banner but when they arrive, Ina isn’t the one raising her arms.
Marianne Vos wins. Again.
Teutenberg is close. Which is the worst place she can imagine. Not winning is losing – that’s clear as she rolls by us after the finish. I admire her uncompromising aggression and unrelenting competitive nature. She swears under her breath as a few fans cheer while she passes.
There’s nothing to cheer for here. This is sport, not recreation. No consolation prize, no participation pride. You put on your tiny shiny suit and ride to win. When you don’t, you get fucking pissed off.
This is business.
Love this article, love the access and understanding it suggests, love the photos. I love the way you love cycling and sport. Please more more more.
awesomeness…
That last pic of Teute is A-MA-ZING. She looks FIERCE. (And I didn’t know she had a tattoo!)
Love the article and particularly the photos! Gives me something to aspire to. Great to see a focus on women in the peloton for a change! Great work!
I am soooo sick of picking up a magazine and seeing “lose 10 pounds this way, lose 5 pounds that way”.
Why can’t women be accepted for their strength and beauty instead of how for their stick legs that probably won’t even hold up their anorexic little bodies?
Nice report, these ladies are amazing. I like that you caught and captured the matching green and purple accents. And the powerful legs, something to aspire to!
Great photos that really capture the intensity and as always, great words. Not enough is written about pro women’s racing. Thank you Heidi!
I read this article for inspiration over and over again!