wew@mgweed.UUCP (Ed Weiss) (10/04/85)
If you are interested at all in the world of bicycle racing, you would be interested in a new publication put out by Shimano called "LES MAILLOTS". They plan to put out 4 issues per year each issue covering a major race. Volume 1, Number 1 which I received mid-August, covered the 67th Giro d'Italia in which Moser, the Italian, narrowly beat Fignon, the Frenchman, in a closely contested, highly nationalistic, Italian stage race. The magazine which Shimano calls, "Bicycle Racing Illustrated Magazine" measures 10" x 14" and runs 25 pages has the best pictures I've seen (some two pages wide) of both the racing and behind the scenes things like team mechanics working on the bikes, team horseplay, pre-race tension,etc. All the pictures are worth cutting out and framing if your into that. The writing is strung around the pictures giving a stage by stage description of the course (climbs, road surface) and stradegy. There are complete listings of each team and sponsor with a picture of a portion of the team in a TTT or, in some cases, the whole team. The mag comes in a plastic cover to insure a blemish free cover and is delivered to your home at a per copy cost of $2. Shimano is asking for a four issue commitment ($8 subscription) to help them determine the amount of interest in the project and of more immediate need, determine the number of copies to print. Copies of Vol 1, No 1 are still available. No. 2 will cover the Tour de France and will probably be available in a month. If you're interested, send your money to: SHIMANO SALES CORPORATION PO BOX 2775 9530 COZYCROFT AVE CHATSWORTH, CA 91311 In short, a nice effort by Shimano and issue one a real collectors item. Ed Weiss