Ravitaillement

On the outskirts of Avignon, a rest area welcomes exhausted cyclists, quenching their thirst around a fountain and a garden hose. The cyclists show signs of fatigue, one even plunging his head into the fountain. The scene is shot entirely in black and white, instilling a nostalgic, almost documentary atmosphere. This archival aspect is reinforced by references to the history of cycling. Indeed, the cyclist's jersey on the left of the composition bears the name "Paloma", a direct reference to the Margnat Paloma team of the 1960s, whose brand was withdrawn from road cycling competitions in 1965 due to a law banning the advertising of alcoholic beverages. Although he was born in 1973, Will Barras shows his attachment to cycling by demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of historic teams. As such, the work transcends temporality, capturing not only a specific moment near Avignon, but also the enduring essence of cycling passion and its historical legacy.