In a way, I want to respect this. Coming off a two-year dope ban and wearing a jersey with a picture of yourself silkscreened onto it is a tremendous message of defiance, and a great way to put a human face (several, actually) on your continued assertion of innocence.
But, alas, I cannot defend this behavior. Cycling’s doping policies are as strict as they are because some in the sport have so misused performance enhancers in the past. So too, must the UCI clamp down on those who recklessly abuse fashion in the pursuit of personal glory.
Team Carrera. Never forget.
(L’Equipe, via @stephenfarrand—and yes, it really did say “Vino 4 Ever”).
WOW! That’s not ugly, it’s Primal Scream ugly with a big aftertaste of awkwardness…
Oups, not Primal Scream, Primal Wear… it just screamed to me…
I couldn’t hear you Dan, the jersey was too loud.
Vino: Contador, I see you’re self referencing pistol hat and I raise you an entire ensemble.
(expect to see Contador riding around soon in a paper mache pistol costume as this war of self delusion escalates.)
“misused performance enhancers” – what…as opposed to “correct use” Cosmo?! 😉
Vino has BIG ‘cojones’ to wear such a jersey.
Would be similar to one of us riding around in a world champions jersey!
In vino veritas!
Monsieur Vinokourov may have done the crime but he sure did the time.
Vino, Cipo… Same theme!
Cycling need a Edith Head urgently.
Or a Jean Louis.
Team Carrera Cosmo?
Jean doping!
luc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vino_veritas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Head
https://www.filmreference.com/Writers-and-Production-Artists-Kr-Lo/Louis-Jean.html
i’d pay top dollar for that jersey.
I thought the AR2R new kit was in bad taste, or at least ridiclusly bland, but this thing is just stupid. I remember a time that Vino was a loved member of the pro peleton, now he is a modern version of the Jumpsuit era Elvis. I guess he served his time and is allowed to come back, lucky for him Astana is “his team”, because at this point in time who would want him??
You take all that lingering perception of eastern doping wrap it up in an ego and vola! no shame,
I think this is a bit over the top – you have to be somebody to pull this off. I dont know who put “assertion of innocence there” if those were his words, he might be delusional. However, I find Vino is harmless, he likes to breakway and do his own things. 2006 Champs-Elysees win was bravo and hopefully he will bring entertainment and unpredictability to the Tour again.
wow. that is one ugly jersey