Suicide Shifting

We see lots of photos showing "suicide shifters" in these magazines, but rarely see anyone actually using one, so this image jumped out at me. Here we see André Darrigade (with Lucien Lauk) reaching down to change chainrings on his Simplex-equipped La Perle (on his way to winning Stage 1 of the 1952 Tour de l'Oise). Note the dropped right shoulder and straight arm, head up with eyes looking forward. From "But et Club - Le Miroir des Sports" No.352, 2 June 1952.

(click pic for larger image)