March 2017 | 149
Mallorca
S T E P H E N R O C H E S T Y L E
Roger Stillman , photographer and journalist , rides with his cycling legend and learns the benefits of an organized cycling camp as he tours the island
Stephen Roche is my cycling hero . It was his heroics on La Plagne on stage 21 of the 1987 Tour de France that captivated the fifteen-year-old me , glued to Channel 4 ’ s coverage as Roche emerged from the low cloud to cross the summit just behind his main rival , Pedro Delgado , when it was assumed he was way back losing precious time . It was this incredible effort that ultimately secured the yellow jersey in Paris four days later . 1987 was his imperious year when he claimed the triple crown of the Giro , Tour de France and World Champion . So , when the opportunity arises to travel to Mallorca for a three-day training camp with his cycle tour company ‘ Stephen Roche Cycling ’, I jump at the chance .