Pretty in Pink
Anyone who knows me know this: I do not wear pink on my bike. I will never have a pink bike (unless it has a basket on the front and I move to Italy), and often rant about the fact that sportswear manufacturers seem to think that in order to appeal to athletes of the gentler sex, they must colour code our stuff in pink.
BUT…
In honour of the Giro d’Italia, currently being held in, well, Italy, I would like to share this notable exception to my anti-pinkness:
Pictured is pro racer and ex(haw)-doper Alexandre Vinokourov, donning the coveted maglia rosa (pink jersey), the Italian race’s equivalent of France’s yellow one. I love this, note the matching booties and gloves! So fabulous. Look how jealous his Astana teammate looks!
Ironically, I think he can only get away with this look because he is a man. The pink is purposeful and proud. Not pretty and sissified. Ok, well maybe a bit, but I think he earned it.
OK does that mean that men can wear pink without being considered gay, a doper or just out of place? Frankly I think Astana have a dual personality: baby blue or baby pink. I would rather them stick with one and let it be said I don't want them to wear pink, let the Aussie have it!
There is no such thing as gay in Australia, so I think that works. But Vino is hanging on pretty tight to the pink jersey, they might have a fight on their hands. OH! A couple of skinny tanned dudes in spandex fighting over a pink jersey. I like it.