The ‘historical’ recognition of human zippers supporting cycling

Cycling is a demanding sport, where individual effort and the spirit of sacrifice undoubtedly play an important role. At the same time, the support of the whole team and also of the fans themselves is essential to get to the finish line. There is a popular term among cycling enthusiasts, the “zipper”, which is used to name the structure formed by fans to cheer on their idols. The goal is to provide the essential human warmth that helps to relieve fatigue and leave any moment of weakness, and also serves to open the way for cyclists.

As Bernardo Ruiz, a 98-year-old former cyclist who was three times champion of Spain and practiced this sport professionally between 1945 and 1958, said, “in the Tour it is impossible to lose; It is enough to follow the line of people who cheer you on every meter of the race”. From the time of Ruiz to the present, the spectators and followers of these sports idols have not stopped giving them their full support on the tours, especially that at the most difficult moment of the arrival of the mountain passes, creating these unique “human zippers”.

For the first time since 1992, the Tour de France, which starts on Saturday, July 1, will start again from Spain; specifically, from the Basque Country. The members of the Movistar Team are ready to face this tough and exciting competition

So, we can prove it, once again, in the Tour de France that starts on Saturday, July 1, and that, for the first time in 31 years, will start again from Spain; specifically, in the Basque Country. This time, the Movistar Team, the team sponsored by Telefónica, faces its forty-first consecutive participation, also debuting a new kit, the collection Iceberg from Gobik, innovative, sustainable and equipped with the latest technology, made with recycled plastic, to ensure optimal competition.

They also launched a plan to measure their carbon footprint, offset and neutralize it, meeting the highest standards in the fight against global warming. In addition, this cycling group was the first to be recognized with the Seal of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO), as it obtains more than 60% of the energy from its headquarters with solar panels that produce more than 11,000 kWh per year , reducing approximately 11 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. They also planted 1,000 trees in Sangüesa in the east of the Foral Community of Navarra, helping to neutralize about 200 tons of CO2.

A tribute to the zipper pioneer

Of course, the zipper is a great invention that has been a part of our daily lives for years. Its creator, a mechanical engineer born in 1843 in Illinois named Whitcomb L. Judson, came here to find a way to fasten boots that would save the tedious work of tying and untying laces. In the past, this machinery salesman worked on a pneumatic urban railway, where he was not very successful. But Judson never gave up on his aspect as an inventor. He continued to work until he created this system he called “bracket closure”, which he first patented in 1891, and which was later perfected by the Swedish engineer Gideon Sundbäck.

Judson never thought that the invention of the zipper would be used to name the groups of people who usually lined up on either side of the cyclists, thus offering them all their support.

Judson died in 1909, so he did not see how his idea applied to the aviator suits worn by the US Navy in 1918 or to the accessories that were commercialized soon after, such as gloves or tobacco bags, which began used by many citizens. usually You will surely be surprised to see that, more than 130 years later, the zipper is an essential tool for many garments and objects such as bags or suitcases. In addition, this gadget became the perfect metaphor to describe the particular line of people who support the aces of cycling.

For this reason, Telefónica wants to pay tribute to the pioneer of the zipper, by creating a spot to be broadcast on Eurosport, developed by its own creative agency, with the support of the audiovisual production company Reafilma during the filming, and which takes us to the time of Judson, rebuilding, on the set of the Telefónica District in Madrid, the laboratory where he worked on his successful invention. The man in charge of bringing the zipper creator to life is Perico Delgado himself, one of the great figures of Spanish cycling who, between 1982 and 1994, scored up to 49 victories, managing to win a Tour, as in addition to two-time winners. Cycling around spain.

Perico – as he’s known to all fans – brings his friendliness, professionalism and sense of humor to the recording, putting himself in the shoes of a Judson who couldn’t imagine that his invention would make it to ports, highways and town of a whole nation. The Movistar Team spot –which also includes the participation of Javier Ares, renowned cycling commentator– pays tribute to the passion of the fans, also showing exciting images of human body zippers that, in all important competitions, offer their I support our cyclists , and they will be present again in this Tour that is about to start.

The motto of the place, #WeRollTogether, is a clear example of the importance of all these expressions of encouragement and admiration for cyclists, and, in particular, for the team endorsed by Telefónica. Consequently, as a sign of gratitude to its followers, in the coming days, the company will also deliver water bottles and jerseys to its stores in the Basque Country.

The Movistar Team squad, led by Eusebio Unzué, is now ready to face the call with enthusiasm Large Boucle. For this, it has Enric Mas, as the leader of a team that also consists of important names such as Matteo Jorgenson, Nelson Oliveira, Antonio Pedrero, Ruben Guerreiro, Gregor Mühlberger and two Basque cyclists, Gorka Izaguirre and Alex Aranburu, who will have privilege to start this competition from home. And, with them, a trail of devotees of this sport, always isolated in the form of a zipper, that will come together to insufflate the group of athletes with the necessary encouragement to lead them to the finish line.

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