No Beards In Bike Racing? Our Three Favorite Facial-Haired Racers
No Beards In Bike Racing? Our Three Favorite Facial-Haired Racers
Last week the Belgian Pro Continental team Sport Vlaanderen announced a ban on beards.
Last week the Belgian Pro Continental team Sport Vlaanderen announced a ban on beards.
The team’s director, Walter Planckaert, explained: "I'm taking this measure for the elegance of cycling.”
He further elaborated, “We're a cycling team, with riders. Not motocross pilots or rugby players. Snot and food leftovers in the beard of a rider in action — it's nasty."
Riders would be allowed to sport stubble, Planckaert conceded.
The news made headlines on most major cycling sites, and whether Planckaert’s beard ban was inspired by a true hatred of facial hair, or a public relations ploy, we couldn’t help but bite as well.
In honor of Sport Vlaanderen’s clean-shaven faces, we present our favorite beards in bike racing.
Simon Geschke
The Team Sunweb racer is a Tour de France stage winner, yet perhaps best known for his carefully manicured facial hair. “The press asks me at least one question about my beard in every interview,” he’s said.
In 2017, Geschke released his own line of beard balm, along with a website and hashtag promoting the wearing of beards on bikes, #bicyclebeardbros. His commitment is unquestionable.
Luca Paolini
The former winner of Gent-Wevelgem, Paolini is perhaps best known for both his beard and testing positive for cocaine at the 2015 Tour de France. Though he retired from professional road racing following the completion of his 18-month ban from bike racing, Paolini’s beard can still be found competing in professional mountain bike races.
Bradley Wiggins
The five-time Olympic Gold medalist and former Tour de France winner began sporting facial hair more prominently as he moved away from the seemingly straight-laced environment of Team Sky. His body also became adorned with tattoos.
Though Wiggins' facial hair perhaps isn’t amongst cycling’s best, he is undoubtedly the sport’s most decorated bearded bike racer.