Didi, perhaps the most recognizable fan of the Tour of France
An indispensable participant in bicycle races since 1993.
Didi the Devil, the internationally recognized fan of the Tour de France, its trademark, indispensable mascot, also known as El Diablo, brightened up the programme at the premiere of the two-day cycling festival L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France last year in Kranj. The photography in his company is eloquent: an unforgettable moment caught that tells you more than any copy next to it.
A moment that evokes positive emotions
A moment that evokes positive emotions: joy, playfulness, eternal youth, cheerfulness, life = a game, wakening an inner child of each of us ... With a little magic all worries are forgotten. With a little mischievousness the steepest climbs become practically flat, and heavy legs get wings. Yes, the human brain can be tricked if we let it.
Who exactly is Didi? Dieter Senft, born in Germany (born in 1952) and cycling enthusiast, who has been appearing on the stages of the race in France since 1993 in a recognizable devil costume with a trident in his hand. The three-pronged spear is an attribute of Poseidon in Greek mythology, the god of the sea who, among other things, created horses, and Neptune in Roman mythology.
Mr. Dieter is an inventor who has created many unusual bicycles, including the largest ridable bicycle in the world with wheels diameter of 3.3 meters. How he managed to sit on it remains a mystery 😊. He is also said to have invented the largest mobile guitar in the shape of a wheel as written in the Guinness World Records book.
Over the years Didi has become a real icon of the Tour de France and he usually travels in front of the peloton in a recognizable caravan in his style during the stages. He also takes part at the biggest one-day races - the spring classics and the world championships, Giro di Italia, and - as already mentioned, last year he encouraged all generations of cyclists and mingled with the participants of the premiere performance of L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France.
We are keeping our fingers crossed that he is going to visit us again this year. That's our plan. We are looking forward to hosting him in September 2–3, 2023 in Kranj, Slovenia. Plan you visit, too!
