>From time to time on the List there are enquiries about where the actual bikes used by Pro riders end up, and I recall that during the last twelve months a handful of machines and frames that pruported to having been ridden in anger by Pros have turned up.
French Ebay has more than its fair share of such machines and this week has come up with an odd selection. However I think that a couple of them bear very close scrutiny as to their actual provenance. None of the machines are really and truly within the List's time-frame..are only just outside..and both the riders dis start their careers within the timescale..I think.
The first two bikes, it is claimed, belonged to and were ridden by none other than Bernard Hinault; they are:
*item 1303700899026 - a prototype chrono machine*. This is transferred up as a Bernatd Hinault frame..all aero tubes and shaved components. It is claimed it dates from 1984/85. To my mind it looks a tad too big for Hinault, but as he had long legs for his height and accordingly a short torso, this might exp[lain the design of the frame. At 1000 euros and something like 16 hours to run, the auction has not yet attracted any bidders. The second machine is:
*item 130370091298 - a prototype cyclo-cross machine.* Hinault did actually take part in cyclo-cross races during the closed season, and this machine looks to be more his size..around about a 55cms. However the seller states that the frame is the only one of its type..which is not true. The frame is a MECACYCLE TURBO, with the twin seat tubes..or at least a copy of that design. At 1000 euros and about eighteen hours to run, the auction still has no bidders. The third machine is;-
*Item 230443398748 - a Maxi-Sport lugless frame in Castorama Team blue.* It is claimed that the frame belonged to Fabien Jeker and he used it during the 1993 season. The asking price, without a fork is 99 euros..with no bids on its second outing.
Apologies, Dale, if I have compromised the List's time frame slightly, but I thought some of the List's members might well be interested in these items, particularly as there is such a healthy interest in Gitane machines ( and of course Hinault rode Gitane machines, but these two might just be into his La Vie Claire period).
Norris Lockley
Settle UK