Vince Gee

Breaking him in

For our US events, our Director Sportif is Frankie Andreau. His career has been one that many would like to duplicate themselves. He has been a pro for over 15 years, ridden 9 Tour De Frances, ridden for one of the first big US pro teams (7-11) and finished his career with the US Postal team. I could go on and on about him but that would take a huge page. For me, the most impressive thing is his attitude. Working with him on Postal last year, I felt like I was treated very special. He thought about the impact of what he wanted or what he wanted to do and how it would effect the soigneurs and mechanics EVERY time. Some riders just want everything regardless of if it is easy to do or get. There is a limit to what I can do and how much work I can perform.
So it is with great pleasure that I get to sit behind him in the back seat of the caravan car. With all his experience in the pro peloton, and his role of one of the captains of the Postal team will help him immensely in the caravan. The flip side though is there is no school for learning the caravan etiquette. Having spent a great deal of caravan time with Rene Wenzel and a Giro D’talia feminine with Mike Neel, I have experienced a lot and seen a lot of what to do in the caravan. When to pass cars/riders, how to warn others of riders comming up through the Peloton and how to approach (ask questions) of the Commissars. Frankie has been doing a great job so far but I helped him with a few things/sugestions. I’m breaking him in.

CClinton

Owner of Promechanics.com and long time professional race mechanic.