BikeDenver – Handle Bar Moments
Auction Ends: May 2, 2012 11:00 PM MDT

Memorabilia

Jonathan Vaughters - "Stings Like A Bee" 2001 Collection

Item Number
112
Estimated Value
Priceless
Opening Bid
100 USD

Live Event Item

After the online close, this item went to a Live Event for further bidding.

Item Description

In 1999, JV crashed in the first week and in 2000 he managed to get to the second before a repeat.

When Vaughters reached the second rest day of the 2001 Tour, its third week, he had cause for some celebration and relaxation.

JV thought: Surely nothing could go wrong now?

Wrong. The combination of a rogue southern French wasp and cycling's strict doping rules meant Vaughters' third week of the Tour lasted just 10km.

The insect made its impact during a training ride on the rest day, something riders must do to keep their legs from seizing up during a three-week race.

He was unable to treat the sting because it would have required a kind of cortisone injection that is banned by anti-doping rules.

Photographs of the climber from Denver, Colorado, make it clear why he could not go on.

"If you can't see where you're going in a bike race it's not safe," said the Credit Agricole rider.

"It's very disappointing. I've had some horrible luck in the Tour before."

Item Special Note

Winning Bidder is responsible for shipping costs or picking item up in Denver, Colorado