Rapha and Ullrich - ···?

[KJMUNC]

I don't get it....then again, I don't buy their stuff so maybe I'm not supposed to get it.

Will someone cooler than me explain how exactly Jan Ullrich is a "brand ambassador" for Rapha? Funny, on their website they note his accolades but mention nothing of his doping.

[christian]

Jan Ullrich is a famous ex-cyclist that a lot of people seem to like. He should be a good brand ambassador for Rapha.

Dont get caught up in the "why no mention of doping." Why should there be any mention of it? It's professional cycling. Don't believe any fairy tales past or present.

[jmoore]

Der Kaiser is one of my all time favorite riders. I don't get worked up about doping, esp. during his era.

[AngryScientist]

Funny, on their website they note his accolades but mention nothing of his doping.

of course they dont mention the doping?

you wouldnt mention your arrest history on a resume either, would you?

[pbarry]

Why does Rapha need Jan when they already have Christian?

[William]

Why does Rapha need Jan when they already have Christian?

Because he's the plumpy "every guy" of the ex-pro peloton.;) I always liked Jan (as much as one can like a guy that they've never met and only seen the persona projected through Paul and Phil http://www.handloadersbench.com/images/emoticons/shrug.gif ).







William

[GScot]

What jmoore said.

[FlashUNC]

Amazing what not being a psychopathic douchebag will do for one's post-pro career...

[oldpotatoe]

I don't get it....then again, I don't buy their stuff so maybe I'm not supposed to get it.

Will someone cooler than me explain how exactly Jan Ullrich is a "brand ambassador" for Rapha? Funny, on their website they note his accolades but mention nothing of his doping.

Funny, you don't get it....I can't find the article but Ullrich is a huge star in Germany and Europe, in spite of doping. So is Riis, Pantani has a HUGE fan club to this day...

Many past dopers are still quite successful in cycling, like Vaughters, and Hincapie and geez, many others..just cuz he is a sponsored($) spokesman for Rapha..I think that's the rub for some.

If he were a spokesman for say Sidi or castelli, I doubt it would be news.

In the article he states quite directly, he doped in an era where everybody doped, he got punished, he has moved on..rides, and does appearances.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Amazing what not being a psychopathic douchebag will do for one's post-pro career...

There you go, in a nutshell.

[pbarry]

Because he's the plumpy "every guy" of the ex-pro peloton.;) I always liked Jan (as much as one can like a guy that they've never met and only seen the persona projected through Paul and Phil http://www.handloadersbench.com/images/emoticons/shrug.gif ).

William

Oh yeah, JA always had class. He or Cippo seem like they'd be a good fit for this role.

OTOH, Rapha doesn't need a spokesman/ambassador. They've crafted a brand independent of celebrity association: Average riders wearing their HQ goods, atmospheric B&W images, the boutique stores with espresso on tap. I don't get where the ex-pro fits into the theme.

[fiamme red]

OTOH, Rapha doesn't need a spokesman/ambassador. They've crafted a brand independent of celebrity association: Average riders wearing their HQ goods, atmospheric B&W images, the boutique stores with espresso on tap. I don't get where the ex-pro fits into the theme.http://www.rapha.cc/shop/team-sky

[pbarry]

Right, but sponsoring a team is different than the ambassador position.

No dog in this hunt, I just find it an interesting move.

[RonW87]

"Don't mention the doping!"

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/RFS81/BasilFawlty1.jpg

[soulspinner]

Amazing what not being a psychopathic douchebag will do for one's post-pro career...

:)

[fiamme red]

Coming soon to the Rapha new product lineup: blood bags, Ecstasy pill boxes, and Black Forest fruitcake.

[KJMUNC]

OTOH, Rapha doesn't need a spokesman/ambassador. They've crafted a brand independent of celebrity association: Average riders wearing their HQ goods, atmospheric B&W images, the boutique stores with espresso on tap. I don't get where the ex-pro fits into the theme.

Fair enough about the doping....they all did it so that's not a concern.

Leaving that aside though, I still don't get the link between the Rapha brand and modern ex-pros for that matter. I get their use of people like Rudi Altig, Coppi and the riders of an era where they get a lot of their inspiration for their clothing.

Just seems they are looking to capitalize on the popularity of former riders more than they are as "brand ambassadors", which to me conotates someone who is/lives the essence of the brand.

[EDS]

Amazing what not being a psychopathic douchebag will do for one's post-pro career...

Definitely a "you made it" sign when you become a brand ambassador.

[Anarchist]

Oh yeah, JA always had class. He or Cippo seem like they'd be a good fit for this role.

OTOH, Rapha doesn't need a spokesman/ambassador. They've crafted a brand independent of celebrity association: Average riders wearing their HQ goods, atmospheric B&W images, the boutique stores with espresso on tap. I don't get where the ex-pro fits into the theme.

I don't see {they who must not be named} coming out with a line of Zebra striped jerseys and shorts.

[gavingould]

i raised an eyebrow slightly at this. he is kind of an everyman now, and much closer to my body type than the current pro peloton. if it fits him and doesn't look like a burlap sack, then i can probably squeeze in.

[avalonracing]

Maybe Porsche should make him a brand ambassador as well:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/04/cycling.tourdefrance2002

Hey, why not?

Dopes + races bikes = Rapha brand ambassador

Drinks + crashes car = Porsche brand ambassador

[crownjewelwl]

let's add carbon clinchers to the discussion and we'd have the trifecta

[BumbleBeeDave]

I don't see {they who must not be named} coming out with a line of Zebra striped jerseys and shorts.

. . . I'd be the first in line! :banana:

BBD

[tv_vt]

[QUOTE=pbarry;1462609]Oh yeah, JU always had class. He or Cippo seem like they'd be a good fit for this role.
QUOTE]

Cippo in Rapha kit?? I cannot see that at all!:no: Nowhere near enough pizzazz in Rapha styling for him.

Replacing Assos Guy, now that I could maybe see. I'm sure Cippo would go for Assos, especially if he could do photoshoots with Assos Girl.:)

[chasea]

Yeah.

Someone tell NIKE that Michael Jordan is retired.

[zetroc]

cmon guys. rapha's homepage isn't wikipedia. of course they're not going to mention doping. it's unnecessary.

ted kennedy's senate homepage didn't mention mary jo. michael vick doesn't have "i enjoy dogfighting" on his jersey. merrill lynch didn't put on their website that in 2007 they paid their CEO 80 million dollars. what would be the benefit?

[martl]

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/jan-ullrich-rapha-fan-photographed-wearing-the-brands-kit-39208/

"Rapha, however, stressed to BikeRadar that there is no formal partnership between them and Ullrich — he merely likes their kit."

and despite his aerobelly, he still can ride the Ötztaler (http://www.oetztaler-radmarathon.com/main/EN/OR/strecke/hoehenprofil/index.html) in a bit over 8hrs, a time well-trained amateurs dream to achieve, and not look stressed at all at the food areas...

[avalonracing]

and despite his aerobelly, he still can ride the Ötztaler (http://www.oetztaler-radmarathon.com/main/EN/OR/strecke/hoehenprofil/index.html) in a bit over 8hrs, a time well-trained amateurs dream to achieve, and not look stressed at all at the food areas...

Of course he does. No drug testing. :rolleyes:

[earlfoss]

Good for Jan and for Rapha. Mostly good for Jan. He appears to be riding for the right reasons these days and actually enjoys his time on the bike after all of the controversy.

[54ny77]

that was some seriously funny stuff.

thanks for the chuckle.

:banana:


ted kennedy's senate homepage didn't mention mary jo. michael vick doesn't have "i enjoy dogfighting" on his jersey. merrill lynch didn't put on their website that in 2007 they paid their CEO 80 million dollars.

[AgilisMerlin]

well now, Ötztaler

http://www.playfull.it/pub/press/teamviner-2011/20110829/bertuola-azione-oetzy.jpg

http://www.riml-soelden.com/uploads/pics/soelden_radmarathon_01.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foXt-ol-VJE/Uh0ZkGZOUNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/z3n_QImi00g/s1600/Oetztaler+2013+077.jpg

he enjoyed it in 2012

http://www.sport1.de/media/_redaktion2012/sportarten_2/radsport_3/sonstige_4/Ullrich-Oetztaler-5x4_Diashow.jpg

http://www.hotelwiesental.com/uploads/pics/radmarathon_01.jpg

http://www.oetztaler-radmarathon.com/main/images/OR/or_bilder/teilnahme_allgemein_art,method=render,prop=data.jp g

[Buzz!]

I've always dug Jan, no judgement here.

[martl]

Of course he does. No drug testing. :rolleyes:

Yes, any fat man without much talent could do that with the help of Dr. Fuentes (Which cost in excess of 100.000€+ a year, and who wouldn't spend that willingly to kick some hobbyists asses at a century, and lose half an hour on the road chatting with fans and having pictures taken).

That is the attitude i typically notice with people who never sat on a bike.

Like it or not, some of the bad guys of the sports last bad 2 decades were in fact some of the greatest, most naturally gifted athletes this sport has ever seen.

[AgilisMerlin]

jackshe, is sitting 3rd in line, eh ^


1,2,3 and lucky #7 winding it up

#7 looks like my bike setup /

[avalonracing]

That is the attitude i typically notice with people who never sat on a bike.



And that is the attitude I typically notice of people who don't get a sarcastic remark.

Admittedly I should try riding a bike sometime, it looks like fun.

[martl]

And that is the attitude I typically notice of people who don't get a sarcastic remark.

Sorry, missed that one - no hard feelings ;). Actually, prestigous "granfondi" like the Ötzi are competed by professionally organized teams and have their good share of drugging incidents and rumours.
Ulle, though, never went for the win - he rides for the fun of it (and comes over as a genuinely nice fella when you meet him in person). In an ideal world, he wouldn't have needed to take drugs to show his enormous talent to the world.

[AgilisMerlin]

In an ideal world, he wouldn't have needed to take drugs to show his enormous talent to the world.


It still exists, and sometimes one has to just take off the sunglasses. I hope


just a thought