Tricolore 2.1
2010 De Scheldeprijs: Here be the Italian Tricolore worn during the reign of Pippo. Gilded with gold lettering, it was unique, magnifique, fantastique, and chic compared to other national kits, especially those that indulge in patriotic minimalism (re: Teams Liquigas and Movistar). This classic jersey debuted at the 2009 Tour of Britain where Pippo aided and abetted cherub-faced neo-professional Ben Swift, now of Sky, to his first ProTour win. Now why are there so few pictures of Pippo and Ben?
Credit: Digitalic.
Tricolore 3.0
2009 Tour de France, Stage 15: For one stage—and one stage only!—Pippo appeared in horizontal Tricolore stripes before the Pretty Committee could issue complaints about its “stripal unorthodoxy.”
Credit: Roberto Bettini via Maglia Rosa.
Tricolore 2.0
2009 Tour de France, Stage 14: Finally, the Pretty Committee (re: Italian Tricolore Fashion Committee) could relax as the style-challenged Katusha issued the Italian Tricolor to its liking: stylish, patriotic and classy; thus, it was appropriate for Pippo then although some alterations were required after the Tour.
Credit: Roberto Bettini via CyclingNews.
Tricolore 1.0
2009 Tour de France, Stage 6: Pippo models the Original Katusha-issued Italian Tricolore which caused fashion controversy for reinterpretation of the Italian color bands integrating the Kremlin skyline.
Credit: Roberto Bettini via CyclingNews.
The Black Tricolore
2010 Paris-Roubaix: In the aftermath of L’Enfer du Nord, emotionally-charged Swiss and Roubaix Champion Spartacus embraced Pippo clad in his reverse-background Tricolore; Spartacus earned his second Pavé while Pippo was consoled with the one-time-only Commemorative Ballerini Pavé for highest-placed Italian finisher. Now, imagine if this Black Tricolore had transformed its wearer a la The Black Swan so that Pippo would be the most stealth Cobbles contenders; oh, to never again be accused of wheelsucking by Tommeke and PhilGil would be the best reward!
Credit: Tim de Waele via Corbis.
Transition from Adorable to Sexy
2010 Tirreno-Adriatico, Stage 7: It is probable if not possible that Andy Schleck solicited expert advice from Pippo regarding the art of posing before the camera so that he is no longer described as “adorable” but rather as “sexy” and “smoldering” because he wishes to escape the title of “Baby Schleck.”
Credit: Photors.net.
Great Expectations…in San Remo
2010 Milan-San Remo: Tommeke and Pippo had great expectations for finishing atop the podium at La Primavera which they especially hoped to accomplish in their prideful National Tricolors.
Credit: Roberto Bettini via Cyclingnews.
