Remco flies, Pogačar dominates… but what would Jules “The Steam Engine” Moreau have done?
The Tour de France has just thundered through Caen. On the 33km time trial stage, Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel delivered a masterpiece of precision and power to take the stage win. But it was Tadej Pogačar who stole the headlines — claiming not just the yellow jersey, but also the green and polka dot in a single day of dominance.
Meanwhile, ex champion Jonas Vingegaard faltered slightly, unable to match the explosive form of his Slovenian rival.
That’s the story from the front of the race. But it’s not the only story from the Caen time trial…
Long before the pros arrived, one man set out to conquer the same route — not with marginal gains or carbon aero bars, but with a 1930s single-speed bicycle, pink socks, a waistcoat and a bow tie.
That man was Phil — a vintage English rider from Équipe More Than 21 Bends – Bravard – Huile 21V, who had just completed the Anjou Vélo Vintage ride and arrived in Caen with a simple goal:
To prove that style, character, and a little pipe smoke can still make an impact in modern cycling.
The odds were stacked against him:
- No gears
- No disc brakes
- Traffic lights that refused to yield
- A futuristic Renault blocking the road (!)
And yet, Phil soldiered on — wobbling through roundabouts, tucking into tailwinds, and taking gravel corners like a man born before tarmac was even invented.
The commentary was clear: “It’s like watching a telegram race a Tesla.”
Watch the full 3-minute ride here and meet Phil in all his vintage glory:
But while Remco and Pogačar relied on data, power meters, and finely tuned machines, Phil relied on something else: The spirit of Jules “The Steam Engine” Moreau.
You see, Moreau, the fictional 1920s French cycling legend, once said (probably):
“When your legs fail, light your pipe and pedal harder.”
Phil would like to thank his sponsors who helped in the production of this video
