“I’ll quit when I fall off my bike”

July 21, 2009

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“I’ll quit when I fall off my bike.” That’s what Kenny said in this Dutch article after stage 15 when he crossed the finish line in last place 45mins after Contador did.

Kenny van Hummel crossed the finish after the climb of the Verbier
this Sunday with a fistpump and a loud scream.

The rider on Skil arrived in time only to start again after a rest
day. “Today I literally ate my handlebar. I didn’t care if I was gonna
make it in time or not. I’m tough, I’ll quit when I fall off my bike.
A lot of sprinters went home already, but Kenny van Hummel is still
here. And I’m proud of that.”

Thanks to Huph (our Dutch speaking correspondent) for sending this in!

Kenny has now been riding for over 3hrs more than Contador has in this TdF.  I’d say that Van Hummel is probably the toughest guy in the race at this point.  Do you think that Armstrong or Contador have suffered as much as Kenny?  I think not.

Here’s the vid:

{ 13 comments }

nzmatto July 21, 2009 at 7:33 pm

Brilliant, Inspirational. The best thing I have seen in a while, and I know the feeling of being last!

Ed July 21, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Kenny has way more wins than any other rider on Skil-Shimano this year. It’s not even close. This guy isn’t some third rate rider. He wins bike races.

This degree of character and perseverance makes you think he’s gonna win a lot more of them before he’s done.

Simon July 21, 2009 at 9:03 pm

It’s the characters that make it more than just “a race”.

Naturally we all want to see the best riders go head-to-head, but it’s not merely that. As fans we want more than winning, we want drama and stories, personalities and hardship. We want others to see the greatness in this sport that makes them our heroes. The power and pride of wearing the maillot jaune, Heinrich Haussler’s emotions on winning stage 13, Cancellara descending, the spat between Cavendish and Hushovd, the Lanterne Rouge and a thousand more. Kenny’s story will surely be worth retelling in years to come.

Dave July 21, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Kenny is not dead!

jeroen July 21, 2009 at 10:25 pm

Mind you, this guy is not a bad rider! His average on the Sunday was 36 km/h… I wish I could keep that up for some five hours.

Ridley July 22, 2009 at 12:06 am

Nothing wrong with being last if you finish.

Rob July 22, 2009 at 12:46 am

I’m going to turn this into a poster and print it.

huphtur July 22, 2009 at 2:24 am

Stoked to hear that Kenny made it again today for stage 16. Finishing in last place, almost 35 minutes behind stage winner Mikel Astarloza. 5 more stages to go Kenny. YOU CAN DO IT!

Mellow Velo July 22, 2009 at 6:58 am

GO KENNY! NEVER GIVE UP!

Someone stylize that image and put it on a T-shirt (after getting the rights, of course).

Uncle Salty July 22, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Fuckin’ A Kenny!

roshea July 23, 2009 at 12:00 am

“I’ll quit when I fall off my bike”

Damn – he saw the future!

huphtur July 23, 2009 at 1:33 am

What a sad day today. Get well soon Kenny!

Rob July 23, 2009 at 1:46 am

Our thoughts are with him. We should still print the shirts, though. It has an ‘Kenny Would Go’ vibe now.

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