#the thing is. right. valentino probably did the right thing in 2007 in creating a little distance

[batsplat]

ur regular reminder that uccio groups casey (retired well over three years ago by this point) in the same category as marc and vinales of 'guys who had valentino's poster on their wall'

[batsplat]

i get casey. at his age he probably caught that phase when valentino debuted looking like an angel. then he watched him turn into some random guy, but still so fast, constantly creating legends. by the time they started doing press conferences together, it was 2005. basically peak valentino in terms of looks. fluffy curls, blue eyes, a stunning smile, that vibe balancing lazy softness with sly playfulness. he was a legend. so honestly valentino didn’t need to do much. it was normal to like him, really. casey i feel for you.

so yeah, my interest in casey/vale totally makes sense. it’s not like i’m dying to know who these two men really were. it’s just that they shared a peak good-looking year in 2007. by the time vale and jorge became teammates, the curls were gone. when vale and marc started flirting, marc was gorgeous, but vale was an old man. i decide to pick casey/vale. it’s that simple.

the version of valentino that casey dealt with in 2005 phillip island pressers --

you'd think going by casey's own principles, he might have already been a little wary of myth-making valentino going into 2007, given he was literally right there for the sete drama but. ah well. he did not perceive. who cares about jerez last corner terrorism when your idol has really curly hair, right

also, they DID already have at least one presser together in 2004 - just before jorge commits last lap terrorism on casey :) so. anyway, as far as the lesbian agenda is concerned, shaved head valentino does about as much for me as curly-haired valentino or indeed old man valentino. and 2008 casey/vale... kinda peak dynamic. but crucially. crucially! I am not in a position to be picky about how we get new adherents to the cause. if it's the curly hair that does it for you, sure, whatever man. cracking description of valentino. welcome on board. they're both very pretty in 2007 I agree

anyway, here is a compilation of photos I feel capture the vibe of this ask:

valentino doing that thing where he continually leans against casey in podium photos... valentino cackling at casey while spraying him with champagne... valentino levelling the full force of his grin at casey... and casey grinning back at him, before going off to complain in the press about how valentino was whinging too much about the tyres :(( poor, conflicted casey. didn't stand a chance