Rouleur – Issue 28

The haves and the have nots…

Tom Southam’s professional career was a pretty varied experience and as
a pro rider in Italy he no doubt saw a few things worth writing about.
Nothing, however, that compared to his latest assignment at the Tour of
Rwanda late last year, where he and photographer Ben Ingham found out
how extraordinary stage racing in Africa can be.

Pietro Santini was 70 this month, he’s been making cycling kit for
professional teams for over 40 years and has cemented his family into
the foundations of his company. Remember the Peugeot checkerboard and
La Vie Clare’s mondrian pallette? It was all the work of Santini
SMS. Herbie Sykes discusses the game of selling sponsors to the public
via this travelling billboard, whilst photographer Taz Darling roams
around the factory floor.

Patrick Sercu was one of the first super domestiques on the pro
circuit, when he raced alongside compatriot Eddy Merckx. As a Six Day
racer he realised his worth and won so many races on the track he became
known simply as The Phenomenon. Graeme Fife and photographer Gerard
Brown pop around to his place for a glass or two and a chat.

Endura racing team aren’t the biggest team on the professional racing
scene but their backroom staff are full of first-hand experience and
ambition. Ian Cleverly speaks to former professional Brian Smith about
the set-up behind the team and photographer Geoff Waugh provides images from their debut at last year’s Tour of Britain.

What do you know about spokes? Rohan Dubash reflects on this, the
humblest of bicycle components. Rohan delves further into the art of
wheelbuilding, inspired after visiting Sapim’s Belgian factory. Bent
stainless steel wire will never be the same again. Regular factory
photographer Gerard Brown takes the pictures.

Lastly a special mention for Rouleur regular Johnny Green, his all too
brief column in this issue recalls the life of Charly Gaul and the whole
issue of success – for many it’s hard to find and those who find it,
don’t always want it…