Cipo being Cipo

[nowhereman]

All Hail Renshaw! King of WWF cycling!! A REAL man's man!

 

[nowhereman]

I'm a Contador fan - my name was one of the 250 on the bike for one stage of the Tour. But I didn't enjoy this year's race, mostly because of the lovefest. I feel a bit better having read that the youtube apology video was Riis's idea, not Alberto's. But the stage where they didn't fight out the finish, and rode off with arms around each other bothered me. I didn't see it as a pinch, but a few minutes later, Andy was talking to someone, and Alberto was saying his name to get his attention, then he finally put his hand on the side of Andy's face, turned it toward him, and winked. Then there was the final stage into Paris, when Alberto sped off away from the peloton, Andy chased him, and the camera treated us to the two of them riding along holding hands.

I definitely agree with Cipo that I never want to watch that sort of thing again. But I think that a lot of the top guys in stage races care a lot about how they finish - they just don't act like sprinters. Thinking about how guys battled through everything in the Giro last year helps me get over the Tour nonsense, like Cancellara's slow down and the rest. But when he talks about guys riding each other into a ditch and stuff like that, the sport doesn't need it. And just because a guy can pull himself together after a stage battle and shake hands with the winner doesn't mean they didn't care enough, or go all out to the line.

I think a lot of it could be settled with time bonuses for the stages. GC guys don't gift placings in stages when it means giving the other guy time in the overall.

It was an entertaining read for December, though.

We agree once again And I truly think that the lack of time bonuses has taken the competitive spirit out of the big stage races. Time bonuses present opportunities that can't be ignored, and set up exciting situations. Any one who has watches cycling in the past knows this. The lack of a bonus is why Schleck and AC embraced through the finish line, and even more the reason that AC did not contest the finish. With no bonus, it was absolutely cheap PR for AC (who needed it) to let Andy win. How the organizers are not seeing the need for time bonuses in the Grand Tours is confounding to me( actually "idiotic" would be a closer word I'd use to describe how I feel about them.) BTW my name was on AC's bike too(down tube)!

 

[boardhanger]

We agree once again And I truly think that the lack of time bonuses has taken the competitive spirit out of the big stage races. Time bonuses present opportunities that can't be ignored, and set up exciting situations. Any one who has watches cycling in the past knows this. The lack of a bonus is why Schleck and AC embraced through the finish line, and even more the reason that AC did not contest the finish. With no bonus, it was absolutely cheap PR for AC (who needed it) to let Andy win. How the organizers are not seeing the need for time bonuses in the Grand Tours is confounding to me( actually "idiotic" would be a closer word I'd use to describe how I feel about them.) BTW my name was on AC's bike too(down tube)!

Its not the time bounes I don't like, I agree they create more competetion at the end, but its the actual time itself. 30 seconds is too much ! Something like 5 or 8 seconds maybe because 30 second bounses create too big a time difference on G.C hurting the race intensity .

 

[shawnrohrbach]

Great article with Cipo's views on the lack of machismo in today's peloton: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cipollini-decries-modern-cyclings-lack-of-machismo

In the article he laments the friendship between Andy and Alberto and that instead of pinching each other on the cheek after the Tourmalet, they shold have been raging at each other. As usual, he's over the top, but I think he's got some valid points. Nothing makes a sport more interesting than when the combatants truly hate each other....or at least dislike each other. All this kiss-kiss in the pro peloton does get a little nauseating after a while.


The money quote from Cipo: "I read an interview with Umberto Veronesi, a scientist, a reputed oncologist and Minister for Health,” Cipollini continued. “In five hundred years or more, human beings might have both sets of genitalia, male and female. I don’t want this evolution to have started already in cycling…”

Actually, hilarious is the word I would use to describe Mr. Cippolini. After all the hype about him being such a big man for a cyclist, I saw him from some distance once and decided he is certainly big for a pro cyclist, but that doesn't count for much. I recall a few of the fist fights (I am generous calling them that) I have seen in various pro cycling races and it reminds me of eighth grade girl slap fights I used to egg on in middle school. Hilarious. Small men who talk big. I knew one small fry who used to put a large cucumber in his pants, to, well, demonstrate how big a man he was. Hilarious. Try to convince me Cipo is a big dude who should be feared in a dark alley. Try.

 

[BroDeal]

Hmmm,

Cipo says these things and gets praised.

Cavendish puts the words into practice and gets castigated.

It is not very hard to understand. Cipo is a tall, good looking dude who gets the babes and does it with style. Cav is a midget with a nasty personality.

 

[boardhanger]

Try to convince me Cipo is a big dude who should be feared in a dark alley. Try.

Huh?? They mean both his personality and power output, physcialy he was big within 'cycling'. Or do you think Pantani sailed the seven seas robbing and cutting throats because he was nicknamed that too......?

 

[Tom T.]

Actually, hilarious is the word I would use to describe Mr. Cippolini. After all the hype about him being such a big man for a cyclist, I saw him from some distance once and decided he is certainly big for a pro cyclist, but that doesn't count for much. I recall a few of the fist fights (I am generous calling them that) I have seen in various pro cycling races and it reminds me of eighth grade girl slap fights I used to egg on in middle school. Hilarious. Small men who talk big. I knew one small fry who used to put a large cucumber in his pants, to, well, demonstrate how big a man he was. Hilarious. Try to convince me Cipo is a big dude who should be feared in a dark alley. Try.

Which article did you read?

 

[Beech Mtn]

Actually, hilarious is the word I would use to describe Mr. Cippolini. After all the hype about him being such a big man for a cyclist, I saw him from some distance once and decided he is certainly big for a pro cyclist, but that doesn't count for much. I recall a few of the fist fights (I am generous calling them that) I have seen in various pro cycling races and it reminds me of eighth grade girl slap fights I used to egg on in middle school. Hilarious. Small men who talk big. I knew one small fry who used to put a large cucumber in his pants, to, well, demonstrate how big a man he was. Hilarious. Try to convince me Cipo is a big dude who should be feared in a dark alley. Try.

Cipo on an Italian TV show that is similar to Candid Camera. They told him someone had broken into his home and stolen his bikes. Then an RV comes past with his bikes on it. RV throws trash at Cipo - he chases them down. Hilarity ensues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJomoEk81o4

 

[boardhanger]

Cipo on an Italian TV show that is similar to Candid Camera. They told him someone had broken into his home and stolen his bikes. Then an RV comes past with his bikes on it. RV throws trash at Cipo - he chases them down. Hilarity ensues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJomoEk81o4

Funny, and nice post for you millenium posting too

 

[El Pistolero]

Cipo on an Italian TV show that is similar to Candid Camera. They told him someone had broken into his home and stolen his bikes. Then an RV comes past with his bikes on it. RV throws trash at Cipo - he chases them down. Hilarity ensues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJomoEk81o4

You actually proved his points that cyclists fight like little girls

 

[tifosa]

Passion is what's lacking in much of today's cyclists. Typical, and correct imo, of Cipo to have the balls to call this publicly.

Sport IS passion. That's what defines winners and losers. Passion makes effort visible. Being "politically correct" may make for a few more friends, but it does not make for great cycling. And again, as Cipo makes some great individual comparisons, cycling has taken on the appearance of bookkeeping. zzzzzzzz

Détente (and the other "D" word/deed) has ruined cycling.

 

[Mambo95]

You actually proved his points that cyclists fight like little girls

To be fair, even Jackie Chan would struggle to fight wearing cleats.

 

[Chick Chandler]

Great article with Cipo's views on the lack of machismo in today's peloton: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cipollini-decries-modern-cyclings-lack-of-machismo

In the article he laments the friendship between Andy and Alberto and that instead of pinching each other on the cheek after the Tourmalet, they shold have been raging at each other. As usual, he's over the top, but I think he's got some valid points. Nothing makes a sport more interesting than when the combatants truly hate each other....or at least dislike each other. All this kiss-kiss in the pro peloton does get a little nauseating after a while.


The money quote from Cipo: "I read an interview with Umberto Veronesi, a scientist, a reputed oncologist and Minister for Health,” Cipollini continued. “In five hundred years or more, human beings might have both sets of genitalia, male and female. I don’t want this evolution to have started already in cycling…”

Sounds like Cippo has already started growing a second rear end.

 

[David Suro]

Cipo's quotes are hilarious.

I agree that the time for giving acolades to your competition is on the podium during the final presentation on the Champes.

Armstrong had very kind words for Ullrich and Basso on the occasion of his first retirement. Like the guy or not, it was a classy move. However, Armstrong never showed remorse during a race. He sought to destroy his opponents emotionally, mentally, and physically. Merckx, Hinault, and Fignon did the same.

A race is, after all, a battle.

Viva Cippo, his big mouth, and his slick hair!

 

[Winterfold]

Interviewer: Cipo - what would you be if you weren't a pro cyclist?
Cipo: Porn star

Yes we need a bit more of that.

And for the Cav haters who dig Cipo - remember Cipo loves Cav - especially after the various cycling on one-leg pranks (maybe he is a secret lurve child? The lion must keep many lionesses after all)

 

[The Hitch]

It is not very hard to understand. Cipo is a tall, good looking dude who gets the babes and does it with style. Cav is a midget with a nasty personality.

Yeah your right. THose of us under 175 cm should just quit cycling.

We are midgets with nasty personalities, napoleons complex and are overly represented in the dictator business.

How silly of Cav to ride a bycicle, win, and whats more enjoy it every now and again, acting as if he will be forgiven for the genes he was born with.

 

[boardhanger]

Those of us who have watch cycling the past 20 years hae seen it become more and more specialzed with the science and lab training and wind tunnels. Radios another nusicance. I love racing but it has become robotic immensley. But fair play to Cancerlara, Vino, Boonen and Gillbert who rode old school in the classics this year. I think the GT's suffer the robotic ways mostly....

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Hmmm,
Cipo says these things and gets praised.
Cavendish puts the words into practice and gets castigated.
Funny old world.

It is not very hard to understand. Cipo is a tall, good looking dude who gets the babes and does it with style. Cav is a midget with a nasty personality.

Yeah your right. THose of us under 175 cm should just quit cycling.

We are midgets with nasty personalities, napoleons complex and are overly represented in the dictator business.

How silly of Cav to ride a bycicle, win, and whats more enjoy it every now and again, acting as if he will be forgiven for the genes he was born with.

I like nasty, and don't care how tall. To do well those guys (whether retired or still active) had to have some nasty in them to get results. I liked pocket rocket Robbie (McEwen) cuz he was a nasty competitor. But every once in a while he'd get accused of going a little over the top, and then have to defend himself to the press. That sometimes made him look like a bad/dangerous guy. I'd rather have that than not so nasty = no results. It just makes it more interesting to watch.

 

[boardhanger]

I like nasty, and don't care how tall. To do well those guys (whether retired or still active) had to have some nasty in them to get results. I liked pocket rocket Robbie (McEwen) cuz he was a nasty competitor. But every once in a while he'd get accused of going a little over the top, and then have to defend himself to the press. That sometimes made him look like a bad/dangerous guy. I'd rather have that than not so nasty = no results. It just makes it more interesting to watch.

New age do-gooder cycling reeks of the new era fans and their money.....

 

[El Pistolero]

Yeah your right. THose of us under 175 cm should just quit cycling.

We are midgets with nasty personalities, napoleons complex and are overly represented in the dictator business.

How silly of Cav to ride a bycicle, win, and whats more enjoy it every now and again, acting as if he will be forgiven for the genes he was born with.

They should really change that term to Sarkozy complex.

So, I take it you're not a very tall person?

 

[The Hitch]

They should really change that term to Sarkozy complex.

So, I take it you're not a very tall person?

lol Sarkozy complex.

Im about the size Cav is according to wikipedia. Maybe a cm or 2 less. I feel smaller because as i grew up i was always the smallest and only in the last through years i caught up.

Point is 175 cm is hardly midget small is it. 165 maybe but 175. Actually in England the average height for a male is 176 so its just below average on the height distribution. If we follow the Carl Lewis distribution though, we might grow a bit more even If the rumours are true, Cav is more likely to succeed in that respect.

 

[El Pistolero]

lol Sarkozy complex.

Im about the size Cav is according to wikipedia. Maybe a cm or 2 less. I feel smaller because as i grew up i was always the smallest and only in the last through years i caught up.

Point is 175 cm is hardly midget small is it. 165 maybe but 175. Actually in England the average height for a male is 176 so its just below average on the height distribution. If we follow the Carl Lewis distribution though, we might grow a bit more even If the rumours are true, Cav is more likely to succeed in that respect.

Hey, I wasn't disagreeing with you, but from you're post I saw you took it a little bit personal haha.

I don't like Cav(as a cyclist, as a human being I have nothing against him. Seems like a nice guy.), but I sure as hell don't hate him like some people here lol.

 

[Winterfold]

That is all

 

[El Pistolero]

That is all

That's his best costume he wore to be honest. I wonder if he ever did the Roman Salute?

 

[boardhanger]

On the podium at the Giro......