Odd moments from the races · Road World Championships · 1995

When Olano finished on a flat rear tyre

Abraham Olano had the world title within reach when the air left his rear tyre on the final kilometre in Duitama. He could not stop. Behind him, Miguel Induráin waited.

Illustration of Abraham Olano riding on a flat rear tyre ahead of three chasers in the rain at the 1995 World Championships in Duitama — Illustration of the final kilometre at the 1995 World Championships in Duitama – not a historical photograph. AI-generated illustration created for this article.

Abraham Olano had the world title within reach when the air left his rear tyre on the final kilometre in Duitama. He could not stop. Behind him, Miguel Induráin waited.

Duitama, Colombia

We are in thin air, around 2,500 metres above sea level. At first the sun had stood over the course. Later came the rain, heavy and grey across the Colombian highlands. Ninety-eight riders started. When the race was over, only about twenty had reached the finish. The rest had disappeared along the way, one by one.

Everybody watched Induráin

Spain had the largest figure in the race: Miguel Induráin. He had just won his fifth Tour de France in succession. Every movement by the big man from Navarre was therefore watched. That attention opened the door for another Spaniard, Abraham Olano. If Induráin attacked, everyone responded. If Olano went, the others first had to consider whom they might tow back to him.

An attack after a bicycle change

On the penultimate lap, Induráin punctured. He quickly received another bicycle, returned to the group and attacked almost at once. His rivals spent strength closing the gap. When the pace fell again, Olano made his move. He rode away. Behind him sat Marco Pantani and Mauro Gianetti, but Induráin was on their wheels. He did not take a turn. He only had to be there.

One man in the rain

Olano felt cramp on the final climb and lost seconds. Over the top he could bring the bicycle back up to speed. The chasers could see him, but they still had to agree on the work. They did not. Olano reached the valley alone, with the world championship waiting a few wet kilometres ahead.

Then the air went out

At the one-kilometre banner he felt the rear of the bicycle move. The tubular tyre was flat and being pressed against the rim. A wheel change would cost him the race. He had to continue. A bicycle with a flat rear tyre will wander, particularly on a wet road. A sudden movement can roll the tyre from the rim. Olano moved his weight forwards, held tight and tried to ride as cleanly as he could.

One hand stayed on the bars

He passed through the final roundabout and entered the finishing straight. The rear of the bicycle still moved beneath him. So both arms did not rise. Only one did. The other hand stayed on the bars. Thirty-five seconds later, Induráin sprinted ahead of Pantani and Gianetti for silver. Spain had its first world title in the professional men’s road race.

The rear wheel tells the rest

The pictures show rain, celebration and a new rainbow jersey. To my mind, the story lies in the flat rear wheel. More than seven hours of work might have disappeared because the air escaped a few minutes too early. Olano could repair nothing. He could only change the way he rode. It was not elegant, but the tubular stayed on the rim for long enough.

Sources

Duitama, Colombia

Everybody watched Induráin

An attack after a bicycle change

One man in the rain

Then the air went out

One hand stayed on the bars

The rear wheel tells the rest

Beryl Burton, twelve hours and a liquorice allsort

The patent headache that lasted twenty years

When war closed the roads

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