Retrospective Heaviness: Hampsten ’85

I’m always digging around, thirsty as hell for sips of American greatness.  Pre-90s feels better to watch, though I like the Pharma Years, too; it was spectator gold.  Stateside, our gauge of roleur seems to have strictly to do with Le Tour, but the dudes who swung the long axe were present in all forms:  the 1-days, the WT points, the Giro, and more.  What’s more, any Euro can tell you that heros don’t have to win the whole tour.  Heros are born of singular madman efforts.

Case in point:  Hampsten’s first Euro stage nab is a jaw dropper.  Watch the kid light it up at 1:02, approssimativamente.  I’m pretty sure you can spot a wisp of smoke and molten drop of mastic being flung from his rear hoop.  And when he takes it at the end, it’s a pure celebration – elation to be certain.  By the time the next guy hits the line, Young Amsteen is mopping up his chicken crumbs with a biscuit.  Not bad for a long-shot on a 3-week contract, si?  Skinsuit, even?  If the plan is to dominate, then of course.  Oui.

Thanks for the inspiration, “Amsteen.”  You broke through in a major way, and your impact is still being realized.